HOK’s Post

Sports venue design is evolving, prioritizing fan experience and revenue generation through diverse seating options and amenities. As the line between professional and college venues blurs, universities face pressure to provide top-notch facilities. NIL rules & the transfer portal have raised the stakes, intensifying competition for elite athletes. High-quality facilities now play a crucial role in attracting & retaining talent, building brand image, & driving revenue. Read the full article here 👇 https://lnkd.in/eiEVK9j4

The future of sports venues is here...We're witnessing the rise of hybrid, mix-use, next-gen spaces that redefine how we experience sports & entertainment. From innovative field-of-play to content hubs, these venues blur the lines between traditional venues and studios. Here's a glimpse into the future: ⛳ TMRW Sports - SoFi Center - The futuristic golf tech-infused arena...sports, meet innovation. Have you seen the turntable rotating green and massive golf simulator screen?! My eyes will be watching Tiger Woods' debut as Jupiter Links Golf Club take on Los Angeles Golf Club tonight. 🐅 🏀 Unrivaled Basketball - 3v3 immersive basketball with an elevated court design featuring LED boards, screens, and "courtside" seating. No detail left unturned - the bowels of the arena feature an esthetician room for facials and skin care, family/nursing rooms, a 3,000-square-foot weight room, a content room for podcasts and interviews, a red carpet known as a “Hype Hall,” and upscale locker rooms. 🎥 Dude Perfect HQ3 - Part arena, part content studio, part corporate HQ... The group unveiled its new custom made playground for Dude Perfect where creativity has no bounds. Not to be confused with Dude Perfect World, a $100M theme park that is in construction. 🏟️ Cosm - A shared reality space where sports, tech, and community collide. Cosm has created a new type of reality technology that brings immersive experiences to physical spaces. **Honorable Mention**: While not new, Barstool Sports Chicago HQ is a masterclass in combining live action and content creation.

Proud to share CONTENDER STUDIO's latest collaboration with The Borough Football Club, where we've had the pleasure of developing their brand identity and designing a new uniform kit! ⚽ The Borough Football Club provides a new Pro-Am Soccer club to the Scarborough residents, including the youth and talent of developing players and their families that support them in this diverse community. Creating new pathways for local players to showcase their talents and unify the city through a positive community team they can be proud of. From the initial brainstorming sessions to the final design, our goal was to capture the spirit and passion of The Borough Football Club and ultimately the city of Scarborough and its people. A core theme was "the destination is the brand" highlighting the physical location as well as iconography that is symbolic to the city. We aimed to create a cohesive brand identity that unites and praises the city's history, community, and future ambitions. Key highlights of the project:  ✅ Brand Identity: Designing a modern and dynamic sports team brand/identity that consists of a badge/crest, wordmark, and tertiary type logo. Also creating and developing a versatile set of brand guidelines to ensure consistent and impactful communication for other creatives to follow.  ✅ Uniform Kit: This new soccer / football kit puts Scarborough on the map literally and showcases the intersections of the city through the unique design. Inspired from old archived city maps of Scarborough, this idea of the destination is the brand is illustrated through this jersey and gives not only the players but fans a feeling of pride to represent their city and protect the ends. (Scarborough Slang) A huge shoutout to Rob Jenkins at The Borough Football Club for their trust and easy collaboration in this project! Very proud of how this project turned out and the reaction fans are having to this sports brand identity and logo. Check out the full case study here! - https://lnkd.in/gphHkmig ___________________________________________________________________ READY TO ELEVATE YOUR BRAND TO THE NEXT LEVEL? Unlock Your Brand's Full Potential with Contender Studio. info@contender.studio www.contender.studio #BrandIdentity #Design #Football #TeamSpirit #TheBoroughFC #UniformDesign #Collaboration #SportsBranding #sportsmarketing #footballuniform #footballkit #playerbranding #nil #sportstech #sportsdesign

How do modern stadiums balance world-class events and environmental impact? Stantec’s Darren Burns shares how innovative sports stadium designs are transforming venues into sustainable, adaptable spaces for fans and communities alike. https://stantec.co/3ZXZGa6

While the Games are temporary, their planning must consider generational impacts on the host city's future. The Olympics and Paralympics influence city designs to be more inclusive, not only during the event but through the lasting legacy they create in urban spaces and infrastructure. Thoughtful planning also helps avoid 'white elephants,' ensuring venues remain functional and beneficial to the community long after the Games have ended. #InclusiveDesign #DesignForAll #Accessibility #Sustainability #SpacesThatConnectUs

🏟️ The Benefits of Investing in Bleachers for Athletic Venues 🏟️ Sports Arenas, Schools and Indstitutions often seek cost-effective and versatile solutions for public sports facilities. Here’s why bleachers are an excellent choice for these projects: Affordability 💰 Bleachers are a budget-friendly option for small venues and community facilities, offering significant cost savings compared to other seating options. Visibility 👀 Their elevated, tiered design ensures that all spectators have a clear view of the action, enhancing the overall viewing experience. Accessibility ♿ Bleachers come in various sizes and configurations, including options that accommodate individuals with disabilities, ensuring inclusive seating for everyone. Versatility 🔄 Bleachers can be easily dismantled and stored, providing flexibility for use in different settings and events. Key Applications: Crowd Seating 👥: Ideal for accommodating spectators at sports events and community gatherings. Team Benches 🏃♂️: Useful for providing designated seating areas for players and teams. Locker Rooms 🚪: Practical for additional seating in backstage or team areas. Investing in bleachers offers an affordable, versatile solution that enhances the spectator experience and supports community sports. By incorporating bleachers into athletic venues, governments can promote community engagement and foster a spirit of athletic excellence. 💬 How can your community benefit from improved sports facilities? Share your thoughts and ideas below! 👇 #CommunityProjects #Bleachers #AffordableSeating #SportsFacilities #AthleticExcellence #InclusiveSports #VersatileSeating

When your venue demands flexibility without compromising on performance, Aura Sport’s Portable Flooring is the ultimate solution. Perfect for multipurpose spaces, these portable systems are engineered for quick installation, durability, and exceptional performance. Here’s what makes our portable flooring a game-changer: ✅ Featured in Iconic Venues: Trusted by top-tier locations like Hisense Arena and Rod Laver Arena, our portable floors are built to meet world-class standards. ✅ Easy Installation and Removal: Transform your space in hours, not days, with a flooring system designed for efficiency and ease. Ideal for tight event schedules! ✅ Event Flexibility: Whether it's basketball, concerts, expos, or cultural festivals, our flooring adapts seamlessly to a variety of activities. ✅ Professional Performance: Provides the durability, traction, and shock absorption required for sports while maintaining a polished look for non-sporting events. ✅ Cost-Effective Solution: Use your space for multiple purposes and maximise its value with flooring that’s as versatile as your venue’s potential. From high-profile sporting events to dazzling entertainment productions, Aura Sport’s portable floors provide a solid foundation for success—no matter the occasion. Discover how portable flooring can elevate your venue’s capabilities via the link in comments.

How about a Friday ICYMI post? Lots happening (news + features) in the venues/fan experience/ticketing corner of the sports business world the past 2 weeks: + Elevate added some human firepower by hiring frm NBA 2K League president Brendan Donohue in an interesting and multi-faceted role: https://lnkd.in/eys2EWZe + Check out my story on the major renovations (both over $400M) at Belmont Park and Pimlico, which, when complete, should seriously benefit the overall Triple Crown. Design at both horse racing venues has a different focus than in the past, including incorporating surrounding communities. “Preakness has kind of happened to Park Heights, instead of it happening ‘for’ Park Heights,” Marc Broady, who grew up in the neighborhood, told me. “We want to change that in the best way we can.” The story ---> https://lnkd.in/etvUatAY + the 1901 Project in Chicago overcame a big hurdle last week by gaining approval for the $7B, 55-acre project from the Chicago Plan Commission: https://lnkd.in/eRX3ncFm + Gensler was awarded a $25M contract by the city of Dallas to design the renovation of Memorial Auditorium for the Dallas Wings. Cool project: https://lnkd.in/eUNUGN6E + Cosm is emerging as an attractive 1A attraction in sports venue mixed-use developments. I spoke to the company's SVP of Venues/Experience Tyler Washburn, who noted that Cosm plans for 1 of its first 10 locations to be outside the US: https://lnkd.in/eyjh-g6c + First incident of this above? Centennial Yards Company in Atlanta, which is turning what's long been known as The Gulch into a $5B mixed-use development that hopes to symbiotically benefit its neighbors, Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena: https://lnkd.in/eqHbtyBy + After several years of development, Jump has its first pro client, North Carolina Courage/North Carolina FC; a great test to see if the direct-to-consumer ecosystem can succeed in the pro sports world: https://lnkd.in/ek63P7Z7 Much, much, much more, here: https://lnkd.in/ezekRKs7

Bringing the Buffalo Bills’ Vision to Life: How 3D Digital Venue Transformed Their Storytelling Experience 3D Digital Venue has collaborated with the Buffalo Bills and Legends in the creation of the Bills Stadium Experience; the official preview centre for the New Highmark Stadium. 3D Digital Venue successfully created a virtual representation (Digital Twin) of the New Highmark Stadium for the Buffalo Bills and Legends. This 3D visualisation is being utilised as a key element in the Bills Stadium Experience, the appointment-only official preview centre, which provides fans with an immersive and interactive journey through the future stadium. This case study highlights the significance of having a virtual 3D representation of the venue before its construction and demonstrates how 3D Digital Venue contributed to telling the Buffalo Bills’ story through their experiential centre. Building a Legacy: The New Highmark Stadium  The Buffalo Bills are rewriting their legacy with the New Highmark Stadium, a future-forward venue primed to open its gates for the 2026 National Football League (NFL) season. This architectural marvel will become a Western New York landmark, boasting a capacity of at least 60,000 and featuring innovative amenities and premium spaces designed to elevate the fan experience for generations to come. However, with the stadium still under construction, conveying the raw energy and potential of the new venue proved difficult. Fans have limited information and few ways to envision and experience what game days will be like in their new home. Legends and New Highmark Stadium Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Colin Cook, said: "3D Digital Venue is a crucial asset for our Account Executives to utilise as they introduce Bills Season Ticket Members to the New Highmark Stadium. The detailed and immersive previews showcased on monitors throughout the Stadium Experience allow fans to virtually walk through suites, premium clubs, and every individual seat in the building, enabling them to make confident and informed decisions about their future gameday experience." For the full case study, go to: https://lnkd.in/e8R5tzh2 3D Digital Venue’s Francis Casado is one of some 50 industry expert speakers that will be sharing insights during the 2024 SVB LIVE Conference & Exhibition being held at Croke Park next month. #digitaltwins #3dtechnology #BillsMafia #sportsbiz #sportsindustry #SportsVenueBusiness #SVBLIVE #stadia Lluís Pascual Marcela Martinez Urzola Paola Garçon Muñoz David Sanchez Blancas John Polka III Sports Venue Business SVB LIVE

In a move to transform downtown Washington, DC’s government has unveiled plans to purchase Capital One Arena for $87.5 million as part of a larger $515 million investment in the city’s entertainment district. The deal would ensure the Washington Capitals and Wizards remain in the nation’s capital through at least 2050. “We’re keeping Washington’s teams where they belong – here in the Sports Capital, and we’re doubling down on having a world-class destination and entertainment district in the center of DC,” Mayor Muriel Bowser announced, emphasizing the project’s significance beyond sports. “We know that when our Downtown does well, our city does well.” The comprehensive agreement includes an innovative lease-back arrangement, where Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), after selling the arena to the District, would lease it back for $1.3 to $2.5 million annually. The deal includes options that could extend the teams’ presence for an additional twenty years beyond 2050. Ted Leonsis, CEO of MSE, outlined an ambitious vision for the facility: “Our vision for a wholly re-imagined sports and entertainment destination will be ambitious, reflective of our community, and designed to ‘wow’ our most ardent supporters as well as casual fans.” The project’s economic impact extends beyond the arena itself. Officials project it will create approximately 4,900 construction jobs and generate over $1 billion in economic activity. The agreement mandates a minimum 35% participation from Certified Business Enterprises (CBE), with aspirations to reach 50%. Read more