Real Betis fans donate 20,000 plush toys in heartwarming match tradition
In a heartwarming display of generosity, fans of LaLiga club Real Betis donated a record-breaking 20,000 stuffed toys during Sunday’s match against Rayo Vallecano. The toys were thrown onto the pitch during halftime, creating a festive spectacle and were quickly collected by staff to be donated to local children in need. This Christmas tradition, which began in 2018, has become a beloved part of the holiday season for Real Betis supporters. Before the toy toss, a countdown added to the excitement, signalling fans to launch their stuffed animals onto the field.
To ensure the toys were safe to be thrown, specific guidelines were set for the types of stuffed animals. For those whose toys didn’t meet the requirements, a collection point was set up outside the stadium. The club also organised additional Christmas activities to spread holiday cheer. These included a station for children to write letters to the club mascot, Palmerín, located in the Gol Sur and Fondo corners. This record-breaking toy donation highlights the strong community spirit of Real Betis fans, making the holidays brighter for children in need.
Everton receives key to new stadium as project nears completion
Everton Football Club marked a significant milestone on 15 December, as they officially received the key to their new €500m stadium after three and a half years of development. The ceremonial handover represents the culmination of the initial construction phase of the 52,888-capacity ground. Starting in January 2025, Everton will oversee a six-month fit-out process to prepare the stadium for use. This phase will involve design and audio-visual specialists to complete the bars, restaurants, experiences and retail spaces as the club works to personalise the venue and bring it to life ahead of the 2025-26 football season. To ensure the stadium is ready for matchday operations, test events are planned before it officially hosts competitive games.
Earlier this week, Everton FC shared a video, reflecting on the journey of the stadium’s construction and celebrating the progress made since the project’s launch. The new stadium is set to become a landmark for the club and its supporters, symbolising a new era for Everton as they move towards their first matches in their state-of-the-art home? At the same time, it marks a farewell to Goodison Park, their beloved home for over 125 years, rich with history and memories.
LaLiga and clubs spread holiday cheer with meals and warm clothing for vulnerable families
For the sixth year in a row, LaLiga and its clubs are teaming up with Spanish city councils to support vulnerable families this Christmas. The initiative will reach over 100 soup kitchens across 40 cities in Spain, offering assistance to those who need it most during the holiday season. This year’s campaign will provide more than 23,000 meals. The aim is to ensure improved nutrition and a festive atmosphere for people in challenging circumstances during this meaningful time of year.
In addition to the meals, LaLiga is donating 28,000 scarves and hats to help keep people warm during the winter months. “Once again, LaLiga and its clubs are committed to helping the most disadvantaged during this special time of year, providing them with warm clothing and a Christmas-worthy meal,” said Javier Tebas, President of LaLiga.
Stadium Development projects to be completed in 2025
2025 is set to see the completion of several highly anticipated stadium development projects around the globe. These state-of-the-art venues promise to redefine fan experiences and enhance the architectural landscape of sports. Here are five standout projects to keep an eye on:
Everton Stadium – Everton FC
Everton FC and their Waterfront stadium boasts a capacity of 52,888 and is located on the banks of the River Mersey. It is constructed manly out of brick, steel and glass with the existing dock filled with sand reclaimed from the river. Construction started in the summer of 2021.
North stand: The upper north stand has a capacity of 5,986 and as an average degree of elevation of 33.42°. It features 4 F&B kiosks, 12 toilets baby changing, gender neutral toilets and changing places. Additionally, the stand includes 5 accessible toilets and 6 accessible lifts. The lower North stand has a capacity of 2,760 and as an average degree of elevation of 23.83°. It features 1 continuous 13.42m long F&B kiosk, 6 toilets, baby changing, gender neutral toilets, changing places and a quiet room, baby changing, gender neutral toilets, changing places and a quiet room. Additionally, the stand includes 2 accessible toilets.
East Stand: The Upper East stand has a capacity of 7,614. It features 4 F&B kiosks, 14 toilets, baby changing and gender-neutral toilets. Additionally, the stand includes 6 accessible toilets and 6 accessible lifts. The Lower East stand has a capacity of 4,200. It features 3 F&B kiosks, 13 toilets, baby changing and gender-neutral toilets, changing places and faith rooms. Additionally, the stand includes 3 accessible toilets.
South Stand: The upper South Stand has a capacity of 9,843 and has an average degree of elevation of 33,89°. It features 4&B kiosks, 14 toilets, baby changing, gender neutral toilets, changing places and a long bar with city backdrop. Additionally, the stand features 2 accessible toilets and 6 accessible lifts. Lower South Stand. The lower South Stand has a capacity of 5,000 rail seating. It features 2 F&B kiosks, 14 toilets and baby changing. Additionally, the stand has 2 accessibility toilets.
West Stand: The Upper West stand has a capacity of 4,236. It features 3 F&B kiosks, 10 toilets, baby changing, gender neutral toilets, changing places, sensory box and a sensory room. Additionally, the stand includes 2 accessible toilets and 6 accessible lifts. The Lower West Stand has a capacity of 1,700. It features 1 continuous 24.21m F&B kiosk. It features 7 toilets and baby changing. Additionally, the stand includes 1 accessible toilet.
Family Sector: The Family sector in the north-west corner of the stadium has a capacity of 2,700. It features 2 F&B kiosks, 8 toilets baby changing, gender neutral toilet, family toilet, changing places, quiet room and private concourse. Additionally, the stand includes 3 accessible toilets and 3 accessible lifts.
The most accessible stadium in the UK: The stadium features accessible entrances in every stand and 19 public lifts to Spacious concourses with accessibility platforms toughout the stadium and 226 wheelchair bays and 53 premium wheelchair bays totalling to 279, a 30% increase on Goodison Park. The stadium also includes 366 amenity seats that can be accessed by less than 7 steps and a further 310 close to the vomity entrances totalling to 676, a 320% increase on Goodison park. Additionally, the stadium has 58 accessible toilets and three changing places facilities. All 137 male and female toilet blocks have an enlarged cubicle for the ambulant disabled with 16 gender-neutral toilets and 95 baby changing facilities across the stadium? The stadium also features a sensory box, sensory room, 2 quiet rooms and 8 faith rooms.
Estadio La cartuja de Sevilla
The project will increase the capacity of the stadium from 57,000 to over 70,000, with the ability to accommodate up to 75,000 for concerts. The transformation will see the removal of the athletics track, lowering the pitch level and bringing the stands closer to the field to enhance the spectator experience. In November, the second phase of the two phased project began. The redevelopment of the stadium will cost an estimated €14.2 million and started in the summer of this year.
Upon completion in March 2025, La Cartuja will become Spain’s third-largest stadium, following Barcelona’s Spotify Camp Nou and Madrid’s Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. The revamped venue is a strong candidate to host matches during the 2030 FIFA World Cup and is slated to become Spain’s national stadium. Additionally, it will temporarily host Real Betis Balompié and Sevilla FC while their stadiums undergo their own redevelopment projects.
New Stadio di Cornaredo – FC Lugano
The new Stadio di Cornaredo in Lugano is set to become a state-of-the-art venue with a seating capacity of 10,000. Construction began in September 2023 and the stadium’s opening is anticipated for December 2025. This ambitious development is part of a larger urban project that includes an indoor arena, two towers featuring bars, restaurants, and shops, as well as four residential buildings. The entire project is expected to be completed by the end of 2029.
The initiative is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), with financial risks and rewards shared between public entities and private investors. After evaluating numerous potential investors, two were selected for the project. One will focus on public facilities, such as the stadium and indoor venue, while the other will manage private components like residential and commercial spaces. Upon completion, the City of Lugano will lease the facilities from these private partners.
The new stadium is being built to replace the aging Stadio di Cornaredo, which no longer meets the Swiss Football League’s standards for hosting top-tier games or UEFA requirements. To ensure continuity for fans, the east stand of the old stadium has been demolished and replaced with a temporary facility that seats 4,872 spectators.
Stade Gabriel-Montpied – Clermont Foot 63
The redevelopment of Stade Gabriel-Montpied, which began in January, is set to transform the stadium into a modern and multifunctional facility. The project includes the construction of a new stand, expanded parking areas, the addition of green spaces and enhancements to bicycle paths and parking spots. Once completed, the stadium’s capacity will increase from 11,230 to 17,100, thanks to a new covered stand with a capacity of 6,000. This stand will feature three levels: the first and largest will offer standard seating and fan amenities, the second will house luxury boxes and the third will provide space for 2,300 spectators alongside additional hospitality areas. While the addition of the new stand alters the stadium’s original one-stand design, it lays the foundation for potential future expansions, with plans under consideration to increase capacity to 30,000. A new car park spanning 12,500 square meters will also be incorporated as part of the redevelopment.
The project includes significant upgrades to internal facilities. The changing rooms will be relocated to the new stand, which will also feature a physiotherapy room, recovery pools and warm-up areas. Media spaces will be moved to the new stand as well, with an expanded media room capable of accommodating 105 people. Medical facilities will also be centralised in the new stand, ensuring essential services are conveniently located.
Sustainability is a central focus of the redevelopment. The car park will feature a permeable surface designed to capture rainwater, while the complex will introduce new green spaces and improved bicycle paths, enhancing connectivity to the city. Cyclists will benefit from 130 additional parking spots and electric vehicle charging stations will encourage eco-friendly transportation options.
A new gym will also be constructed as part of the project, positioned beneath a vegetated embankment and featuring a striking glass façade. This versatile space will include a wooden acoustic sound barrier and a climbing wall, while also accommodating activities such as indoor football, boxing, judo and other sports for schools and the local community. Importantly, the gym will be accessible to the entire community and can function independently of the stadium.
With its completion scheduled for December next year, the redeveloped Stade Gabriel-Montpied is poised to become a landmark for Clermont-Ferrand, combining modern infrastructure, sustainability and community engagement.
Arena Zabrze – Górnik Zabrze
The new Arena Zabrze, with a planned capacity of 31,871, is undergoing a long-awaited transformation through a two-phase reconstruction process. The first phase began in 2011 and was completed in 2016, resulting in the construction of three modern stands with a combined capacity of 24,563. These updates significantly enhanced the fan experience and brought the stadium closer to modern standards.
In 2018, additional upgrades were made in the south-west corner of the stadium, including new changing rooms, press facilities, a gym, regeneration rooms, coaches’ rooms, and other functional spaces. However, financial challenges delayed further progress, postponing the second phase of redevelopment.
The second and final phase of reconstruction finally commenced in June 2023, starting with the demolition of the old Main Stand. This phase will complete the transformation of Arena Zabrze, bringing it to full capacity and modernizing its facilities. The project is expected to conclude in the spring of 2025, with an estimated total cost of €55 million.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Football Federation announces new national stadium
In a press conference last Friday, Vico Zeljković, president of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s football federation, announced ambitious plans to construct a new national stadium in Zenica. The stadium, with a planned capacity of 17,000 to 18,000 seats, will also serve as the home ground for Čelik Zenica.
Initially, the stadium was slated to be built in Sarajevo, but the location was changed due to low public support. The project will be constructed in phases, with stands being built one at a time. Zeljković revealed that the football federation plans to finalize a contract with the City of Zenica by the end of January 2024. Development of the stadium’s design concept is expected to begin in February or March, with the goal of opening the facility by 2029.
In addition to the national stadium, Zeljković announced plans to develop 18 artificial turf football fields across the country next year, aimed at improving infrastructure and promoting grassroots football. During the announcement, Zeljković acknowledged the challenges faced by domestic football. While viewership of the country’s top football league has grown, attendance at matches remains low. He also highlighted that many stadiums in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s highest league fail to meet UEFA standards, underscoring the need for infrastructure upgrades.
