Everton introduces ‘Club View’ at Everton Stadium
Everton FC has announced the launch of Club View, an exclusive membership experience set to debut at the new Everton Stadium. Combining premium seating, a private concourse and opportunities to interact with club legends, Club View will be able to redefine matchday experiences. Located centrally on Level 3 of the East Stand, Club View will offer amenities, including access to a private bar, prime halfway-line seating and exclusive matchday perks. Fans will also enjoy bespoke artwork, club memorabilia and views of the stadium’s plaza and Everton Valley. Club View members will also receive a €12 food and drink credit for each matchday, a matchday program, and access to exclusive prize draws and upgrade opportunities.
Membership sales for Club View, priced at €1,450 per person, will open in January 2025, exclusively for supporters eligible for a 2025/26 Season Ticket. Accessibility options are available, with discounted rates of €1,085 for seniors and young adults. Sales will coincide with the Club’s Season Ticket windows, ensuring fair access based on priority determined by tenure since the 2002/03 season. Everton’s transition to its 52,888-capacity waterfront stadium marks a new era of premium fan engagement. With all hospitality packages sold out and a growing interest list for match-by-match experiences, the Club continues to set a high standard for modern stadium offerings. The new waterfront stadium is expected to be completed in the coming months with the club moving in at the start of the 2025/2026 season. Work on the stadium commenced in 2021.
UEFA Euro 2028 to proceed with nine venues after Casement Park exclusion
UEFA Euro 2028 will be staged across nine venues instead of the planned 10, following the rejection of proposals to include Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) stadiums as replacements for Belfast’s Casement Park. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) CEO, David Courell, confirmed that UEFA dismissed the option of using Dublin’s Croke Park or Cork’s Páirc Uí Chaoimh after the UK government withdrew funding for the redevelopment of Casement Park due to escalating costs. While the FA lobbied for GAA venues to fill the gap, UEFA maintained its stance against adding a second Dublin venue alongside the Aviva Stadium. Earlier calls for a “regional” spread of matches, including Cork as a host city, were also declined.
Casement Park was initially included in the UK and Ireland’s bid, which secured hosting rights in October 2022, but the Belfast project’s uncertain future now means its allocated matches will be redistributed among the nine remaining venues. The Aviva Stadium may gain only one additional game as part of this adjustment.
Brighton & Hove Albion to introduce Safe Standing at Amex Stadium
Brighton & Hove Albion has announced plans to install safe standing in the North Stand of the American Express Community Stadium ahead of the 2025/26 season. The decision follows a detailed consultation, with over 80% of affected season ticket holders expressing support for the move. The safe standing area will cover rows R and upwards in blocks N1A to N1H, excluding certain sections. The initiative includes the installation of rail seating, ensuring fans remain in their designated spots while maintaining the existing stadium capacity. Ticket prices will also remain unchanged. Season ticket holders currently in the designated safe standing area who prefer to relocate will be offered a priority move window in March 2025, after renewals. A small section of rail seating will soon be showcased at the stadium for fans to preview.
Jenny Gower, Brighton’s head of ticketing and supporter services stated: “I’d like to thank the season-ticket holders for their feedback. We had a fantastic response to our survey and a very strong majority in favour of installing safe standing towards the back of the North Stand. We will help any season-ticket holders who want to move and the impact of safe standing will be regularly reviewed, but we are confident it will make the atmosphere in the North Stand even better and help Fabian Hurzeler and the team.”
Scottish Rugby commits €12m to upgrade Murrayfield
The Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) has announced a €12m investment over the next two years to enhance Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, with improvements aimed at addressing fan concerns and modernising the venue. SRU Chair John McGuigan revealed that plans could include the addition of a hotel within the stadium’s footprint. The announcement comes as Murrayfield faces ongoing criticism over issues such as inadequate toilet facilities and unreliable running water on matchdays. Fans have expressed scepticism about whether the allocated funds will significantly address the stadium’s needs, though SRU has made strides with recent updates, including new LED screens and an upgraded PA system. The SRU’s financial challenges mirror those of the Scottish Football Association (SFA), which recently shelved a €300m “Stuttgart-style” renovation plan for Hampden Park, citing budget constraints despite the stadium hosting matches at Euro 2028.
While the SFA focuses on smaller-scale upgrades, the SRU’s €12m commitment signals a step toward improving the matchday experience at Murrayfield. McGuigan acknowledged the challenges but remains optimistic that the enhancements will address key concerns and solidify Murrayfield’s status as a premier rugby venue. Further details about the potential hotel development and additional upgrades are expected in the coming months.
Birmingham City to open Knighthead Fan Park at St. Andrew’s
Birmingham City Football Club has received approval to launch its Knighthead Fan Park, a new fan experience zone at St. Andrew’s Knighthead Park, set to debut during the club’s home match against Stockport County on 4 December. Birmingham City Council has greenlit the project for a two-year trial, allowing fans to enjoy the innovative space for both matchdays and up to 15 non-matchday events annually. The fan park features shipping container-style units, canopies for food, beverage & merchandise sales, outdoor seating areas, a stage with a big screen and interactive zones. Divided into two sections, it includes a family zone equipped with seating, table tennis, pool/snooker tables and other activities. Th other part is the adult zone, featuring stacked containers, a stage and a central seating area designed for a dynamic and immersive social experience. The Knighthead Fan Park forms part of Birmingham City’s broader infrastructure upgrades under its American ownership group.
Junction 6 Limited reveals ambitious plans for Sixways Stadium redevelopment
Junction 6 Limited, the new owners of the Worcester Warriors, has unveiled an exciting vision for the transformation of Sixways Stadium and its surrounding area, aimed at revitalizing the venue as a hub for sport, entertainment and community engagement. The announcement follows the Warriors’ recent application to join the Rugby Football Union’s new Tier 2 league for the 2025/26 season, signalling a fresh chapter for the club under its new leadership.
Key Proposals for Sixways Redevelopment:
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Redeveloping the north stand, growing the stadium’s capacity from 11,500 to 12,750. The stand will include a new “Watch Tower” viewing platform and a new fan-zone area.
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New sporting offers to create destination venue for events and sport for the wider community, including a new medical and sports rehabilitation centre.
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A new 120 bed on-site hotel to boost the Worcestershire economy and encourage city-centre tourism.
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A new, versatile, multifunctional events space capable of hosting conferences, banquets, exhibitions and other special occasions.
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A national centre for esports.
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The development will create new job opportunities in hospitality, healthcare, and events, while also featuring an adaptable industrial space to cater for and attract businesses to the area.
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Improved transport connections through a new multi-storey car park and enhanced cycle links, with a view to re-introduce shuttle bus services to and from the city centre and rail station on matchdays to serve Sixways.
The redevelopment is set to create new jobs in hospitality, healthcare and events, while also providing industrial spaces to attract businesses to the area. Fans and local residents are invited to provide feedback on the proposals during an in-person consultation event on 10 December or via an online survey. The feedback will inform the final planning application, which will be submitted to Wychavon District Council in December 2024.
Zagreb reveals €44M Stadion Kranjčevićeva redevelopment plan
The City of Zagreb has unveiled a €44m plan to transform Stadion Kranjčevićeva into a modern, UEFA-compliant venue. The revamped stadium will temporarily host the Croatian national team and GNK Dinamo Zagreb while a replacement for the historic Stadion Maksimir is constructed. Currently home to NK Lokomotiva, the redevelopment will increase capacity from 5,350 to 11,163 seats, featuring fully covered stands, a heated hybrid pitch, solar power and vertical gardens. A 6,300-square-metre public plaza will also enhance the area. The project, designed by Sirrah Projekt with input from the Faculty of Architecture in Zagreb, is set to begin construction in March 2025, following contractor selection in February. Completion is expected by September 2026. Once the new Stadion Zagreb is operational, the earthquake-damaged Maksimir, which opened in 1912, will be demolished.
Football Scams dominate UK sports fraud, fans lose over €153,000
Football-related ticket scams accounted for over half of all sports ticket fraud cases in the UK this year, with losses surpassing €153,000, according to Santander. Between January and September 2024, sports ticket scams overall resulted in a staggering €293,000 in losses. Young men aged 19-34 emerged as the primary targets, suffering collective losses of €97,200, 41% of all victims. The average loss per scam increased significantly to €425, up from €272 last year. While football topped the list in terms of frequency, other sports recorded higher individual losses. Motorsports scams led with an average loss of €4,653 per victim, totalling €60,500 followed by golf. Santander has urged fans to remain cautious when purchasing tickets, advising them to use official sellers and avoid payments via bank transfer, as many scams involve fake or non-existent tickets.
