14 major stadium projects under construction and development around the world

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This month (August) sees the opening of the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

Built by the Aecom Hunt Turner joint venture, it is reputed to the most expensive NBA basketball stadium ever constructed, at a cost of $2 billion.

Home to the LA Clippers, it is being privately financed by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and features five basketball courts and a giant double-sided screen made up of 200 million LEDs that is the largest of its kind manufacturer for an arena.

The roof has been specially engineered to accommodate the screen without blocking sight lines. All 17,700 seats will be connected electronically to allow audio levels in different sections to be measured so that cameras and T-shirt cannons can be directed towards the loudest sections.

It is one of a number of increasingly sophisticated major new stadiums being constructed or developed around the world. Today’s Construction Briefing looks at 14 of those in the pipeline:

1) Hassan II Stadium, Benslimane, Morocco
Images shown on Moroccan TV that are believed to be images of the actual design of the future Hassan II stadium. Images shown on Moroccan TV that are believed to be images of the actual design of the future Hassan II stadium.

July saw new design concepts revealed for what could become one of the largest stadiums in the world, in Benslimane near Casablanca, Morocco. New designs for the stadium, with a working title of Hassan II Stadium, were released in July.

The new images were revealed during a meeting in Casablanca by Morocco’s 2030 World Cup organising committee. Designed by Populous and Oualalou + Choi, it would have a 115,000 capacity, making it the world’s largest football (soccer) stadium. Engineering firms Maffeis Engineering, ME Engineering, Rider Levett Bucknall, Momentum, and SEPSI complete the design team.

The Casablanca-Settat region aims to invest 5.1 billion dirhams (US$520 million) in the stadium and it could be completed as early as 2028. It will serve as the home of the Morocco national team. Morocco, Portugal and Spain will be host nations for the 2030 World Cup and there are also plans to refurbish six other stadiums in Morocco ahead of the competition, at an estimated cost of $1.4 billion.

2) Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium, Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia
Digital render of the planned new Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium in Saudi Arabia (Image: Populous) Digital render of the planned new Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium in Saudi Arabia (Image: Populous)

Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya Investment Company is planning to build a technologically advanced 45,000-seater stadium ahead of the Kingdom hosting the 2034 World Cup.

Once again designed by Populous, the Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium will sit on top of the 200m-high Tuwaiq cliff, 40 minutes from Riyadh.

The 45,000-seater stadium design features a retractable roof, pitch and LED wall that will allow the stadium to convert into different ‘event modes’ within hours.

The LED wall will be capable of broadcasting live events, high-definition films and laser shows. When not activated, it will open onto views of Qiddiya City.

Populous said that the stadium, which will be home to the Saudi Pro League soccer clubs Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, will be able to offer multiple spectacles in one day, including football (soccer), boxing, esports, concerts and theatre productions.

There has not been an announcement about the appointment of a contractor and it is not clear when construction will start.

3) Burnham Park Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Digital render of Chicago Bears' proposed new Burnham Park stadium Digital render of Chicago Bears’ proposed new Burnham Park stadium (Image courtesy of Chicago Bears)

In April this year, the NFL’s Chicago Bears revealed plans for a new stadium that could see $4.2 billion of direct capital investment in what they claimed would be one of the region’s biggest-ever construction projects.

The new fixed-roof stadium along Chicago’s lakefront, called Burnham Park, would replace the ageing Soldier Field. It would sit within 14 acres of athletic fields and recreational park space for use by public and youth sports programs.

The Bears are aiming to break ground in the summer of 2025, with a planned grand opening in the summer of 2028. The Bears have pledged to contribute more than $2 billion to the project – over 70% of the total stadium cost. The remaining stadium funds are proposed to come from the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority (ISFA).

4) Bramley-Moore Dock, Liverpool, UK
A drone image of construction work at Everton FC's Bramley Moore Dock stadium in Liverpool, UK A drone image of construction work at Everton FC’s Bramley Moore Dock stadium in Liverpool, UK. Image: Everton FC

Everton Football Club’s new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium, a replacement for its original Goodison Park home in Liverpool, is due to enter service for the 2025/26 season.

Contractor Laing O’Rourke is building the £750 million (US$973 million), 52,000-seater stadium. As of February this year, the stadium bowl was structurally complete, with all four stadium stands, built from structural steel and precast concrete elements, intact.

5) New Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York, USA
A digital rendering of the new Buffalo Bills stadium A digital rendering of the new Buffalo Bills stadium (Image supplied by New York State)

A joint venture of Gilbane | Turner in association with 34 Group and Arc Building Partners are providing the construction management services for the Buffalo Bills’ new NFL stadium at Orchard Park. Architecture firm Populous has designed the stadium.

Work on the project is reported to have risen from the original figure of $1.4bn to $1.7bn and involves the demolition of the current stadium and the construction of a new 62,000-seater venue with an expandable capacity to host special events.

As of earlier this year, the concrete foundations were largely complete. Work is underway to install the 20,000 pieces of steel required to finish the first two stages of construction.

It is due for completion in July 2026, in time for the start of the 2026 regular NFL season.

6) Estadio Universitario, Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico
Rendering of the new Estadio de los Tigres in Mexico Rendering of the new Estadio de los Tigres in Mexico (Image: Populous)

Construction work on the new Estadio Universitario, set to be the home of Liga MX football (soccer) club Tigres UANL started last year.

Once again designed by Populous, it will have a capacity of 65,000 seats and is expected to cost close to US$500 million to build. It will serve as a replacement for the old Estadio Universitario, home to Los Tigres since 1967.

Plans for the stadium were originally unveiled in 2022 but it took until the following year to agree a land deal that would allow construction to start. Originally slated for completion in 2025, it is now due to completed in 2026.

7) Adey Abeba Stadium, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Construction on the Adey Abeba Stadium in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa started eight years ago. But it has stalled after failure to pay the original contractor on the project, China Construction Design Corporation.

Over the time since work started, the cost of the venue has doubled from 4 billion Ethiopian Birr (US$69.2 million). Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has agreed financing from the United Arab Emirates to try to kickstart the project. Five international contractors have submitted proposals to complete the stadium and the minimum offer of $64 million is likely to win the contract, according to .Ìý

8) New Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Digital render of the New Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee Digital render of the New Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee (Image: Tennessee Titans)

A joint venture between Turner, Aecom Hunt, Polk & Associates and ICF Builders broke ground on the New Nissan Stadium, the new home of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, in Nashville in February this year.

The $2.1 billion stadium will feature a translucent roof, 62,000 seats, and a 12,000 sq ft community space.

The new stadium will replace the existing concrete-and-steel Nissan Stadium, built in 1999.

So far, around 50% of the new site has been excavated and vertical structures like columns are starting to emerge. The first slab of concrete was due to be poured at the end of July.

Completion is expected in 2027.

9) Tampa Bay Rays ballpark, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
Digital render of the new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark Digital render of the new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark (Image: Tampa Bay Rays)

City councillors in St. Petersburg, Florida, voted in favour of a project to build a new ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays in the city’s downtown in July this year.

The ballpark itself would cost $1.3 billion and have a capacity of 30,000 seats, with a proposed completion in time for the 2028 season.

It would anchor a wider $6.5 billion project to transform 86 acres (34 hectares) of the city’s downtown, with plans for affordable housing, a museum dedicated to black history, a hotel, and green and retail space.

The new ballpark would replace the Rays’ existing Tropicana Field, which would only be demolished once the new stadium was completed in around 2027.

10) Kansas City Royals ballpark, Kansas City, USA
A digital render of how a new Kansas City Royals ballpark could look A digital render of how a new Kansas City Royals ballpark could look (Image: Kansas City Royals/Populous)

The Kansas City Royals decided on a downtown location for their proposed new ballpark in Kansas City, as a replacement for Kauffman Stadium, earlier this year.

Either development would cost more than $2 billion, according to estimates, split between the stadium itself and the surrounding ballpark district.

The goal is to open the new venue by 2028.

11) Oakland Athletics ballpark, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
A first rendering of the relocated Oakland Athletics stadium that is set to be built in Las Vegas, Nevada A first rendering of the relocated Oakland Athletics stadium that is set to be built in Las Vegas, Nevada (Image: Oakland Athletics)

Danish architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and US-based firm HNTB won a deal to work up designs for a $1.5bn ballpark for the Athletics baseball team earlier this year.

The Athletics are set to move from their current home of Oakland, California, to the Las Vegas Strip.

The 33,000-capacity venue will sit on nine acres between Tropicana Avenue and Reno Avenue.

BIG and HNTB’s winning concept involves a huge roof for the ballpark consisting of five overlapping shells that are said to resemble baseball pennants. The structure will feature metal cladding on the exterior.

The new ballpark will also feature an 18,000-square-foot ‘jumbotron’ screen, making it the largest in Major League Baseball, while an air conditioning system will distribute cool air at the seats.

The ballpark is expected to open in spring 2028.

12) ‘Stadium of the Future’, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Conceptual design for a new Jacksonville Jaguars stadium Conceptual design for a new Jacksonville Jaguars stadium (Image: Jacksonville Jaguars)

In June this year, the Jacksonville Jaguars won approval from the City of Jacksonville to revamp its EverBank stadium at a cost of $1.4 billion. Construction is set to start in 2026.

The new EverBank stadium will include new technology and a shade canopy to reduce heat retention by 70%. HVAC, plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems will also be replaced.

Aecom Hunt and Barton Malow have been serving in the role of preconstruction manager for the 62,000-seater stadium, working with architecture practice HOK Sports.

13) Camp Nou renovation, Barcelona, Spain
An impression of the proposed remodelled Spotify Camp Nou football stadium. Image: Barca/Spotify

Turkish contractor Limak is undertaking the renovation of the famous Camp Nou stadium, home to Barcelona FC in Spain.

The revamped stadium will be able to host 64,000 people by 2025, after a €1.5 billion investment.

The first and second stands are expected to be ready by the end of 2024. The third stand, which had to be demolished completely, will be installed in 2025 and be ready two years later.

Once fully completed for the 2026/2027 season, the stadium will be able to hold 104,200 people.

14) Hangzhou International Sports Centre, Hangzhou, China
A 3D render of how the new stadium at the Hangzhou International Sports Centre will look A 3D render of how the new stadium at the Hangzhou International Sports Centre will look (Image: Zaha Hadid Architects)

China Construction Third Engineering Bureau is building a new 60,000-seater, 135,000-square-metre stadium at the Hangzhou International Sports Centre in China. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, it sits within the Hangzhou International Sports Centre, which also contains a 74,000-square-metre indoor arena with capacity for 19,000 seats and a 15,000-square-metre aquatics centre.

Construction of the main stadium started in late 2023 and is due for completion in 2027. It is set to cost CNY 2.9 billion (US$400 million). The overall complex will cost CNY 9.6 billion (US$1.3 billion).

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