Bodø/Glimt begins construction of new Arctic Arena
Norwegian champions FK Bodø/Glimt have officially started construction of the new Arctic Arena, a 10,000-capacity stadium that is set to become the future home of the club and one of the most significant infrastructure investments in its history.
The new venue is scheduled for completion in 2027 and will be built to meet UEFA standards for hosting international matches. The project marks a major milestone for the club following its rapid sporting rise in recent years and growing presence on the European stage.
Bodø/Glimt’s recent UEFA Champions League campaign, which included notable victories against some of Europe’s top clubs and a historic run to the Round of 16, has played a key role in helping finance the development.
The Arctic Arena is intended to support the club’s long-term sporting and commercial ambitions while also serving as a wider community and regional asset for Northern Norway. Beyond football, the project has been presented as an important catalyst for economic growth, visibility and activity in the city of Bodø and the surrounding region.
The project also carries a strong sustainability focus. Early plans for the development included ambitions for a multi-use sports complex featuring facilities for sports such as tennis, padel, handball and athletics, alongside an ice rink. The stadium itself is expected to prioritise sustainable operations through energy-efficient systems, heat recovery and circular economy principles.
Bodø/Glimt is also targeting high sustainability standards through BREEAM certification, underlining the growing emphasis on environmentally responsible stadium development across European football.
The new Arctic Arena will replace the club’s current home, Aspmyra Stadion, which currently holds just over 8,000 spectators and has undergone several upgrades in recent years to meet UEFA requirements.
Ipswich Town confirm off-season stadium improvements
Ipswich Town has confirmed a series of off-season improvement works at Portman Road, aimed at improving facilities inside the stadium bowl ahead of next season.
A key focus will be the matchday experience for disabled supporters. The current accessible seating area in the lower tier of the West Stand will be relocated to a new position closer to the Sir Bobby Robson North Stand. This will be supported by a new dedicated entrance and reception area from Sir Alf Ramsey Way, providing more direct access to the upgraded seating zone.
The new area will include improved access to concourses and seating, additional accessible toilets, dedicated changing spaces and increased capacity. The works follow an accessibility audit carried out during the 2024/25 Premier League season, with the club moving quickly to address identified improvements.
Ipswich will also introduce safe standing across the lower tier of the Sir Bobby Robson North Stand, increasing capacity and enhancing atmosphere in one of the stadium’s most active supporter areas. As part of this work, new accessible seating will also be installed at the front of the stand.
Further upgrades are planned in the West Stand, including improved toilet facilities, alongside additional works outside the stadium bowl.
https://www.mondostadia.com/ipswich-town-confirm-off-season-stadium-improvements
RDS partners with Levy Ireland for upgraded Laya Arena hospitality
The Royal Dublin Society has entered into a strategic partnership with Levy Ireland to manage all food and beverage operations across its 43-acre Ballsbridge campus, including the redeveloped Laya Arena.
The partnership is part of the RDS’ wider ambition to strengthen the campus as a leading destination for sport, culture, business and live entertainment. The redeveloped Laya Arena will have a future capacity of more than 20,000, premium hospitality suites and a distinctive event space in the former St Mary’s Church, now known as The Grand Hall.
Levy Ireland will support the venue by introducing a more developed hospitality strategy across the campus, with a focus on quality, consistency and visitor experience. This will cover a wide range of events, from major sporting fixtures and concerts to conferences, exhibitionsand corporate gatherings.
Sustainability will be a key element of the food and beverage approach. Levy plans to remove air-freighted fruit and vegetables, prioritise seasonal Irish produce and source meat locally where possible. The company will also apply a “Head to Tail” culinary philosophy, aiming to make better use of ingredients and reduce waste.
FIFA World Cup 2026 to introduce sensory rooms across all host stadiums
All 16 host stadiums for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be equipped with dedicated sensory rooms, offering calm and supportive spaces for fans with sensory needs during matches.
The rooms will include dimmed lighting, reduced noise, comfortable seating, tactile resources and televisions showing calming visual content. They are designed to help supporters who may experience sensory overload in busy, loud and crowded stadium environments.
The initiative makes the 2026 World Cup the first sports tournament to receive sensory inclusive recognition from KultureCity, a non-profit organisation focused on sensory accessibility and acceptance.
Research shows that an estimated 5% to 16.5% of people experience sensory processing needs, meaning live sporting events can sometimes feel overwhelming or inaccessible. By introducing sensory rooms across every host venue, FIFA aims to make the tournament more inclusive for fans and families who need additional support.
The World Cup will take place from 11 June to 19 July 2026 across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The measure represents an important step in improving accessibility at major global sporting events and ensuring more supporters can experience the tournament in person.
Rhenac recognised for innovation in turf lighting technology
Rhenac has received two “Winner” distinctions at the German Innovation Awards 2026 for its patented CLS® technology in the categories Circular Impacts and Lighting Solutions.
Developed in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich, the technology was designed to support the management of natural and hybrid sports turf in increasingly demanding stadium environments. As modern venues become more enclosed and multi-functional, many pitches receive significantly less natural sunlight, creating new challenges for grounds teams responsible for maintaining elite playing conditions.
Unlike traditional grow-light systems that operate with fixed lighting programmes, CLS® dynamically adjusts both light spectrum and intensity based on plant needs and surrounding environmental conditions. The system takes factors such as temperature, humidity, daylight availability and grass condition into account, allowing turf managers to apply lighting more precisely and efficiently.
The technology is used in both mobile systems and integrated stadium installations, including at the Santiago Bernabéu, VELTINS-Arena and Leigh Sports Village.
The recognition highlights the growing importance of smart turf technology as modern stadiums face reduced natural light, tighter recovery windows and increasing pressure to maintain high-quality natural playing surfaces.
https://rhenacsportsled.com/controlled-environment-turf-management
