Monthly Archives: April 2019
Discovering the Bones of a Football Stadium
The Discovery Channel + Sports?
Yes. It’s true.
In the spirit of recent news regarding new innovative soccer stadiums in Europe, as covered here on Jimmy’s Daily Planet involving Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur, let’s dive deep into an enlightening perspective of the building process for a football stadium (applies to American and European football equally) that’s not normally fit for front page news.
Discovery UK, staying true to its M.O., dove into the groundwork of how American football stadiums are built for its latest (ad)venture. Specifically, the University of Phoenix Stadium was examined.
Tackling this fascinating subject matter–which again still qualifies for stadiums dedicated to the world’s game–should certainly earn some views at the pub whilst sipping on a frosty pint during halftime of Champions League.
Today’s UEFA Champions League schedule at 3 p.m. ET:
- Ajax vs. Juventus
- Manchester United vs. Barcelona
Interestingly, like the version of football favored in Europe, constructing a stadium requires acute attention to detail, innovation in design and patience for achieving the ultimate goal.
The following blueprint isn’t for your average LEGO set.
Interior and outer design, size, sound control and distribution, the impact of weather, pitch condition, and many other essential variables and constants must be addressed–and can be addressed–in a variety of ways when building a new major sports stadium. Thankfully, Discovery UK has provided at least a few answers that will hopefully satisfy our understandable curiosities concerning our particular tastes in sports stadiums.
Given that sports stadiums are a community’s calling card and identity, knowing the bones (so to speak) of our favorite stadiums around the world is valuable knowledge. An awesome power, really. Because, like sports, once we understand the fundamentals, we can then begin to innovate in ways that redefine perception locally and beyond for generations to come.
What’s your favorite sports stadium(s)? Why? What experience(s) impacted your opinion(s)?
Isn’t it amazing how our cherished memories of watching sports live are only partly about the game? That’s what’s really beautiful about “the game” in the abstract.
Oh, substitute hot dogs for well-done mini bratwursts and we’re all good, Discovery UK.
The Spurs of the Moment Have a New Home
Innovative sports stadiums of the future don’t grow on trees…
but they sure are popping up like they do.
Continuing from yesterday’s article that spotlighted Real Madrid’s recent plans to upgrade its Bernabéu Stadium, today’s UEFA Champions League first-leg clash between Tottenham Hotspur (“Spurs”) and Manchester City (“Man City”) seems like the right time to spotlight Tottenham’s new stadium, which was the site for the aforementioned Champions League match.
FYI – Tottenham Hotspur upset Man City 1-nil. The return leg in Manchester will be a must-see TV experience as Pep’s friends are in a bit of a pickle.
For now, enjoy the future of football (or soccer for my American friends) in London with a digital tour of the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“The stadium cost an estimated £850 million, boasts a retractable pitch, and has a sunken artificial pitch so it can host 2 NFL games each season.
It also has the biggest single tier stand in the country with a capacity of 17,500, which Tottenham hope will generate a wall of noise to rival that of Borussia Dortmund’s famous yellow wall at Signal Iduna Park.”
–Sam Pilger, Forbes contributor, ‘Can Tottenham Hotspur’s New Stadium Deliver Success?’
For the record, the digital access cards mentioned in the video above have been used at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena for the past several years. It’s new to Tottenham fans, but not European football. And further, on the record, the digital access cards are pretty cool and pleasantly seamless concerning transactions.
There’s certainly a temptation for sports stadium architects to focus too heavily on technology as the driver of the fan and player experience. That’s fair. However, the ownership groups that will survive and thrive will use exciting technological innovations as a complementary feature to enhance the modern playing experience and fan experience with equal consideration. It’s all about the game and the players and the fans. First and foremost.
In today’s spotlight, Tottenham Hotspur appears to have delivered on those two experiences.
And surprising Pep’s Man City with a home win in Champions League didn’t hurt the new stadium’s introduction to a global audience.
P.S. That goal line-stretch bar deserves a global cheer. Norm Peterson already claimed his barstool.
Happy Monday!
Now it’s time to get real about the new home of soccer (or footballing) superpower Real Madrid.
Even as a Bayern Munich fan: Wow.
It doesn’t surpass the Allianz Arena–for which I have firsthand experience seeing a Champions League game–but the vision is impressive nonetheless.
The Spanish club recently revealed its plans for a new Bernabéu Stadium via state of the art upgrades as seen through a dramatic video tour featured below. Designed with a capacity of 80,000 fans, complete with cool technological features, the new Bernabéu is an awe-inspiring sight of the future for sports stadiums that can be appreciated by soccer fans and non-soccer fans alike.
Bottom line: Can Real Madrid and Zinedine Zidane win in the post-Cristiano Ronaldo era? That’s the real question that will determine the future of Real Madrid.
Have a Better Week Than Last Week.
For Now, This ‘JOKER’ Is Just a Teaser
“…smile and put on a happy face.”
With these words, Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Comics, and ‘Hangover’ director Todd Phillips present the first teaser trailer for the much-anticipated film ‘JOKER.’ Starring the enigmatic Joaquin Phoenix–on and off-screen–DC Comics is attempting to replace one of two major characters within Gotham City for its current DC Expanded Universe (DCEU) in the Joker. Batman is next after Ben Affleck recently left the part.
For now, take a brand new look at ‘Joker.’
Unnerving, mysterious, weirdly entertaining and oddly intriguing. That sums up the Joker in Gotham City, whether on screen or in print.
While no actor will ever surpass Heath Ledger’s perfect performance as the Joker in ‘The Dark Knight’ directed by Christopher Nolan, Mr. Phoenix and Mr. Phillips have produced a snapshot of a captivating movie. It’s a patient and deliberate character piece that will unfold into dark fun within a gritty Gotham City in 1981.
They say comedy is tragedy plus time. That will be put to the test this fall as ‘JOKER’ arrives at a theater near you on October 4.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 