Sports complexes

Sports complexes are designed to inspire and empower athletes of all levels.

How to Build a Great Sports Complex That People Will Love

Well-maintained fields and courts: The playing surfaces should be in good condition and safe for athletes to use. This includes having proper drainage, even surfaces, and no hazards.

A variety of sports facilities: The complex should have a variety of sports facilities to accommodate different types of athletes and activities. This could include fields for soccer, baseball, softball, football, and lacrosse; courts for basketball, tennis, and volleyball; and swimming pools.

Ample parking: There should be enough parking for spectators, athletes, and staff. This is especially important for large complexes or those that host events with a lot of people.

Restrooms and concessions: There should be adequate restrooms and concessions for people to use. This is important for both athletes and spectators, especially during long tournaments or events.

Security: The complex should be secure and safe for everyone to use. This includes having security guards on duty, proper lighting, and fencing around the perimeter.

A welcoming atmosphere: The complex should be welcoming and inviting for everyone to use. This includes having friendly staff, clean facilities, and a safe environment.

Technology integration: The complex should be technologically advanced, with features like Wi-Fi, scoreboards, and video replay systems. This can help improve the experience for athletes, spectators, and officials.

How to Design and Build a Successful Sports Complex in North America

Looking to design and build a successful sports complex in North America? Here are the key factors to consider, including the needs of players, spectators, and the community, as well as the latest trends in sports facility design.

Climate Pledge Arena

in Seattle, Washington. This arena is home to the Seattle Kraken NHL team and the Seattle Storm WNBA team. It is the first arena in the world to achieve LEED Platinum certification, and it features a number of sustainable features, such as a green roof, rainwater harvesting, and energy-efficient lighting.

Name: Climate Pledge Arena

Year Built: 2021

Location: Seattle, Washington

Size: 18,300 seats

Architect: NBBJ

Sporting Events Hosted:

NHL's Seattle Kraken
WNBA's Seattle Storm
major concerts

What makes sporting complex unique?

Climate Pledge Arena is the first arena in the world to achieve net zero certification, meaning that it produces as much energy as it consumes on an annual basis. It features a number of sustainable features, including:
A green roof that helps to insulate the building and reduce energy consumption
Rainwater harvesting that is used to irrigate the green roof and flush toilets
Energy-efficient lighting that reduces electricity usage
Low-flow plumbing fixtures that conserve water
Climate Pledge Arena is a model for sustainable arena design, and it is helping to lead the way in the fight against climate change.

Rogers Centre

in Toronto, Ontario. This stadium is home to the Toronto Blue Jays MLB team and the Toronto Argonauts CFL team. It is the first stadium in the world to have a retractable roof, and it has been awarded LEED Silver certification.

Name: Rogers Centre

Year Built: 1989

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Size: 49,286 seats

Architect: Rod Robbie

Sporting Events Hosted:

Baseball
football
basketball
concerts
trade shows
other events

What makes it unique?

Rogers Centre is the first stadium in the world to have a retractable roof. This allows it to host events year-round, regardless of the weather. It is also LEED Silver certified, which means it is environmentally friendly.

MetLife Stadium

in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This stadium is home to the New York Giants and New York Jets NFL teams. It is the first stadium in the world to have a dual-purpose roof, which can be opened or closed depending on the weather conditions.

Name: MetLife Stadium

Year Built: 2010

Location: East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States

Size: 82,500 seats

Architect: 360 Architects, Ewing Cole, David Rockwell and Bruce Mau Designs

Sporting Events Hosted:

NFL games
soccer matches
concerts
other events

What makes sporting complex unique?

MetLife Stadium is the first stadium in the world to have a dual-purpose roof, which can be opened or closed depending on the weather conditions. This makes it a versatile venue that can be used for a variety of events, regardless of the climate.

Africa's Sports Architecture: A Look at the Continent's Most Innovative and Inspiring Sporting Venues

Africa's Sports Architecture: Explore the continent's most innovative and inspiring sporting venues, from the iconic Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg to the new Zaha Hadid-designed National Stadium in Lagos.

Cape Town Stadium

in South Africa. This stadium was the centerpiece of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and has won numerous awards for its innovative design and sustainable construction.

Name: Cape Town Stadium (also known as DHL Stadium)

Year Built: 2007-2009

Location: Green Point, Cape Town, South Africa

Size: 55,000 seats

Architect: Populous

Sporting Events Hosted:

2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 Nelson Mandela Tribute Match
2014 ICC World Twenty20
2015 Rugby World Cup
2022 Rugby Sevens World Cup

What makes sporting complex unique?

Innovative design that resembles a "whale's tail"
Sustainable construction with a green roof and solar panels
Home to the DHL Stormers rugby union team and Cape Town City FC soccer team
Popular tourist destination with stunning views of Table Mountain

Akwa Ibom International Stadium

in Uyo, Nigeria. This stadium is the most expensive stadium in Africa and is known for its sleek, modern design.

Name: Akwa Ibom International Stadium

Year Built: 2014

Location: Uyo, Nigeria

Size: 30,000 seats

Architect: Julius Berger Nigeria Plc

Sporting Events Hosted:

FIFA World Cup
qualifying matches
African Cup of Nations matches
Nigerian Premier League matches
other international and domestic sporting events

What makes sporting complex unique?

The stadium is the most expensive stadium in Africa, with a construction cost of over $300 million.
The stadium has a sleek, modern design that is inspired by the Allianz Arena in Munich.
The stadium is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including a FIFA-standard pitch, a 400-meter running track, and a two-tier grandstand.
The stadium is also home to a number of other facilities, including a training ground, a media center, and a VIP lounge.

Stade Olympique de Rades

in Rades, Tunisia. This stadium was the main venue for the 2015 African Games and is known for its innovative use of solar energy.

Name: Stade Olympique de Rades

Year Built: 2001

Location: Rades, Tunisia

Size: 60,000 seats

Architect: Architecture & Engineering Consultants (AEC)

Sporting Events Hosted:

2001 Mediterranean Games
2015 African Games
2019 Africa Cup of Nations

What makes sporting complex unique?

The stadium is known for its innovative use of solar energy. The roof is covered with solar panels that generate enough electricity to power the stadium's lighting and other systems.
The stadium is also home to a number of other sustainable features, such as rainwater harvesting and water recycling systems.
The stadium is considered to be one of the most advanced and environmentally friendly stadiums in Africa.

Asia Sports Complexes: A Guide to the Most Impressive Stadiums, Arenas, and Training Facilities

Discover the most impressive sports complexes in Asia, from iconic stadiums to state-of-the-art arenas and training facilities.

Bird's Nest National Stadium

in Beijing, China. This iconic stadium was the centerpiece of the 2008 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. It has won numerous awards, including the 2008 World Architecture Festival Award for Best Sports Building.

Name: Bird's Nest National Stadium

Year Built: 2008

Location: Beijing, China

Size: 80,000 seats

Architect: Herzog & de Meuron

Sporting Events Hosted:

2008 Summer Olympics and Paralympics
2015 World Championships in Athletics
2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

What makes sporting complex unique?

The Bird's Nest National Stadium is a unique sporting complex for several reasons. First, its design is inspired by Chinese ceramics, with interlocking steel beams that resemble a bird's nest. Second, the stadium is the largest steel structure in the world, with a weight of 42,000 tons. Third, the stadium is highly sustainable, with a rainwater collection system and a solar panel array. Finally, the stadium has hosted some of the biggest sporting events in the world, including the 2008 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, the 2015 World Championships in Athletics, and the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

Pudong Football Stadium

in Shanghai, China. This state-of-the-art stadium is home to the Shanghai Shenhua football club. It has a capacity of 68,000 and has been praised for its sustainable design.

Name: Pudong Football Stadium

Year Built: 2020

Location: Shanghai, China

Size: 68,000 seats

Architect: HPP Architekten

Sporting Events Hosted:

2020 League of Legends World Championship final
2023 AFC Asian Cup (cancelled)

What makes sporting complex unique?

Sustainable design with a green roof and rainwater harvesting system
State-of-the-art facilities, including a FIFA-standard pitch, LED lighting, and a large video scoreboard
Home to the Shanghai Shenhua football club

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium

in New Delhi, India. This multi-purpose stadium is the largest in India and has hosted numerous international sporting events, including the 1982 Asian Games. It has been awarded the FICCI-PwC Sports Build Award for Best Sports Infrastructure in India.

Name: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium

Year Built: 1982

Location: New Delhi, India

Size: 60,254 seats

Architect: Gerkan, Marg and Partners; Schlaich Bergermann Partner

Sporting Events Hosted:

1982 Asian Games
1989 Asian Championships in Athletics
2010 Commonwealth Games
2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup
2019 AFC Asian Cup

What makes sporting complex unique?

The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is the largest stadium in India.
It has hosted numerous international sporting events, including the 1982 Asian Games and the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
It was awarded the FICCI-PwC Sports Build Award for Best Sports Infrastructure in India in 2010.
The stadium is home to the Indian national football team and the Delhi Capitals cricket team.
It is also a popular venue for concerts and other large events.