MONDO | STADIA - Issue 34 - February | March

AFC ASIAN CUP

450 Ayrton fixtures used to enhance the spectacular Opening Ceremony for AFC Asian Cup at Lusail Stadium.

BLUENERGY STADIUM

Udinese to install 2,400 state-of-the-art solar panels, enabling its stadium to become partially energy self-sufficient.

AMAZON - JUST WALK OUT TECH

George Vaughan discusses how stadiums are joining the Amazon Just Walk Out technology revolution.

FULL TIME - TERRAPLAS

With over 30 years’ experience, we focus on the how Terraplas will continue to maximise stadium revenue in the future.

Permanent installations present their own set of expectations and need a purpose-built product for those demands. The IS-Series brings the rider acceptance and performance of Adamson’s touring products to the world of integration.

The new ultra-compact IS7c point source takes the well-rounded IS-Series to 12 application-specific boxes. For more info visit adamsonsystems.com

New! - IS7c

Ultra-compact , light-weight, passive 2-way coaxial speaker

Frequency Response: 80 Hz - 20 kHz | SPL: 130 dB

WELCOME

Back in November 2023, I had a pleasure of attending the official opening of the new LDLC Arena in Lyon, France. The spectacular venue was the perfect setting to an incredible game between LDLC ASVEL and Bayern Munich - and huge credit must go to everyone involved in the project. It was a privilege to be able to discuss everything that went into the project, as well as the long-term plan for LDLC Arena, with Alabama Media and representatives from the venue itself. Designed by Populous, with Jump Studios tasked with the premium hospitality spaces, players’ changing rooms, artists’ dressing rooms and offices, Alabama Media equipped LDLC Arena with breath-taking visual technology, along with a state-of-the-art broadcast setup. With Absen, GIS, Vizrt, Modulo Pi, Lightware, L-Acoustics, Uniguest, Daplast, and PixMob all involved, we hope you enjoy our deep-dive into a magnificent multifuncitonal venue.

Our Team Talk is from George Vaughan, who gives us some fascinating insight into Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology that’s starting a revolution in stadia.

We also focus on Ayrton’s involvement in the Opening Ceremony of the AFC Asian Cup at Lusail Stadium, as well as the cutting-edge photovoltaic system to be installed at Udinese’s Bluenergy Stadium, further driving sustainability.

Our Full Time focus is on turf protection giants, Terraplas. With over 30 years’ experience in developing and producing temporary flooring systems, the company is now heading into a new era, ready to maximise stadium’s revenue streams.

Enjoy ISSUE 34!

Sam Hughes Editorial Director

FEATURED PROJECT: SoFi STADIUM LOS ANGELES

IN THE FAST LANE - STADIUMS JOIN THE AMAZON JUST WALK OUT REVOLUTION

Over the past two decades, the shopping landscape has undergone a remarkable evolution, driven by changing consumer behavior and a host of new technological initiatives. This transformation, characterized by innovations aiming to streamline and enhance the overall customer experience, has significantly impacted the traditional retail model. The journey from local markets and departments stores to the digital landscapes of the 21st century reflect a dynamic change in the expectations of customers, mirroring a society wide shift in multiple sectors that has now infiltrated everything from going out for a meal to transportation and live sporting events.

The pace of change is accelerating, with terms like “seamless transactions,” “frictionless payments,” and “invisible technology” becoming synonymous with the shopping experience. The demand for technology to operate in the background, independent of our direct involvement, reflects the evolving expectations of consumers.

The Retail Evolution

The path that got us here provides a fascinating historical picture, from the general stores and marketplaces of the early 1800s, to the rise of the departments stores in the middle part of that 19th century, right through to the birth of mail order catalogues, that first found favour with customers as early as 1890. Anyone believing that self-services stores are a relatively recent concept might be surprised to discover that the model can trace its roots back to the early 1900s, emerging in parallel with the birth of the first supermarkets.

Post-World War II, the next big leap took place in the 60s and 70s, as shopping malls became popular destinations for retail and leisure, alongside the introduction of barcode technology, before the rise of the internet in the 1990s brought about arguably the biggest change to shopping since the invention of currency.

By the turn of the millennium, online and e-commerce posed the greatest challenge to the physical retail model, with companies like Amazon and eBay reshaping the way people

shopped. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic dealt another blow to the high street, necessitating a re-evaluation of strategies to entice customers back into physical spaces. Today, venues and retail face similar challenges as they look to find ways to encourage fans and customers back through their doors, promoting the “live experience” as a key argument on the battleground of digital vs physical. For football and rugby stadiums, tackling the challenges of huge crowds, particularly around the half time sales window, is an ongoing concern when the upsurge in demand often results in large queues and dissatisfied fans.

Adding to the challenge is the fact that during the pandemic, significant numbers of the hospitality workforce moved to other sectors in search of alternative work and even now, three years on, many of them have not returned to the industry, leaving operators with a employment hole they remain unable to fill.

The New Kid on the Block Already recognised as a pioneer in retail

Images: Amazon

George R Vaughan, CEO, The Digital Line

innovation, Amazon has extended its frictionless shopping experience beyond traditional stores and boasts over 120 Just Walk Out technology-enabled third-party stores across the U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia, including airports, sports stadiums, universities, and hospitals.

Notable venues like Lumen Field, the Hard Rock Stadium, and Globe Life Field all showcase the success of Just Walk Out technology in sports arenas.

In fact, Just Walk Out technology is one of the best examples of engaging tech that never really tests the user. Customers just need to approach the entrance to the store, flash their debit or credit card on the reader and then once inside, make their selections before walking out at the other end. By using Generative AI to train their models and thanks to the seamless fusion of advanced camera technology, sensor fusion and AI, the concept of “grab and go” is now a full blown reality. It’s a game-changer for venues where the biggest enemy to any stadium is queues at food and concession stands but it’s not just about improvements to operations, where a lack of staff is making customer service more challenging. They are starting to see a measurable uplift in sales as well.

Lumen Field installed its first Just Walk Out technology store, District Market, on the stadium’s upper concourse. During the 2022 season, the store saw a 60% increase in customer throughput, and the total transactions per game doubled compared

to the traditional concession stand that previously stood in the same location. By the end of the season in early 2023, the team saw transactions per game in that location increase 85% and total sales per game increase 112%.

Following the success of the launch, Lumen Field has added eight more Just Walk Out technology stores in the arena (including the new RFID store), making Lumen Field the venue with the most Just Walk Out technology locations anywhere in the world.

“Lumen Field has rapidly become the go-to destination for Seahawks fans to experience the latest in checkout-free technology,” said Jon Jenkins, VP of AWS Technology. “From concession shopping and now clothing and accessories, Lumen Field is the leading location for innovative shopping experiences.”

At Globe Life Field in Arlington, home to the Texas Rangers Major League Baseball team, they are seeing similar benefits with an RFIDenabled version of Just Walk Out technology that allows fans to purchase merchandise in the same seamless way. With this new iteration of the system, all the items on sale are fitted with a unique RFID tag that is read as visitors pass through the exit gate and then they are automatically charged.

The venue was already operating two Just Walk Out technology-enabled Express Grill outlets, offering a variety of food and beverage choices to fans, as part of their relationship

with foodservice and retail partner, Delaware North. Here customers could quickly purchase anything from a cheeseburger to packaged beer or confectionary without the need to queue.

“As businesses embrace the benefits of Just Walk Out technology, our team continues to innovate to enable retailers to offer an expanded array of products, bring checkoutfree stores to new locations and new shoppers, and increase throughput and sales” adds Jenkins.

And the innovation doesn’t stop there. Last month, Amazon announced its latest development in the Just Walk Out technology experience with the introduction of “Badge Pay”, a solution that has been created for the healthcare industry as a means to provide hospital staff with access to food and beverages 24/7, without the need to carry a payment card or mobile phone around with them.

Endless Possibilities

Although not a part of their current strategy, it got me thinking about how this technology could be easily applied to season ticket holders at football and rugby stadiums, providing fans with additional benefits as part of their relationship with the club. Additionally, it could be linked to loyalty solutions and even offer cross vertical offers.

If I buy my preferred beer at a stadium where that brand happens to be a sponsor and then visit a Just Walk Out store where they sell the same product, why couldn’t I receive a loyalty discount as a fan if I purchase that same product in a retail environment. It takes the stadium/sponsor model out of the venue and into people’s shopping baskets and would bring proven value to the business relationship.

Amazon’s direction of travel appears to be gaining momentum and there is likely to be greater adoption from venues outside of the US over the coming months as stadiums realise the advantages the solution can bring. Ultimately, for any new technology driven initiative, operator engagement is key alongside a defined plan for deployment because it doesn’t matter how good the system is, if the practical elements like restocking of products and placement of items aren’t thought through, even the smartest AI application will fall over.

Speaking as a first-hand user and a fan of the technology, done right, Just Walk Out technology is the pinnacle of frictionless shopping and the way forward for a society that is already used to immediacy in most aspects of life. If you can condemn the concept of queuing to history, just think about all that reclaimed time the British public could assign to much more productive pursuits!

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Self Contained Broadcast Quality Switcher

The ATEM Television Studio 4K8 combines a switcher and control panel into the same unit, so it’s extremely portable. The front panel includes buttons for selecting sources, triggering transitions and setting up video effects. You also get a built in t-bar for manual transition control! The front panel even has an innovative audio mixer control area with live metering on a dedicated LCD.

Powerful SuperSource Processing!

In addition to the DVE in the ATEM Television Studio 4K8, there is also a powerful SuperSource multi layer processor! Any video input can be used as sources for each DVE, then it’s all layered together over a media pool custom background or live video. SuperSource is perfect for interviews because you can set up the effect so the viewer can see each person being interviewed all within a stylish graphic.

Built In Fairlight Audio Mixer

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Switchers and AV distribution

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LDLC ARENA

Lyon, France

Images: ©L. Rault, ©DamienLG, Alabama Media, Populous, L-Acoustics, Daplast, MONDO | STADIA

POPULOUS

The Populous-designed LDLC Arena in Lyon opened to the public on the 23rd of November 2023 with an inaugural Euroleague basketball game between LDLC ASVEL and FC Bayern Munich.

One of the most technologically and environmentally advanced indoor arenas in Europe and the largest in France outside Paris, the highly adaptable venue is due to host between 100 and 120 events per year, including concerts, LDLC ASVEL’s Euroleague basketball matches, futsal, tennis, esports competitions, large-scale seminars and trade shows. The design features a versatile modular seating tier system, comprising three stands facing the stage and a fourth, which can be removed for sporting events. This flexibility allows for an adjustable capacity ranging from 6,000 up to 16,000.

Externally, the arena’s appearance responds sensitively to its surroundings. The outer ‘veil’ consists of textured panels set at varied angles, softening the building’s outline and reducing its volume.

“The discussions around integrating an arena for the city within the OL Valley date back to the early planning for the world-class Groupama Stadium, which was also designed by Populous and opened in 2016. Specifically regarding LDLC Arena, we’ve been working with OL Groupe since 2019 to find the best site and define the right programme for the venue,” explained Elizabeth Miglierina, Populous Prinicipal and Project Lead for LDLC Arena.

“Both as a piece of architecture and in terms of the venue’s brand identity, it was crucial the arena connected both with the fans visiting it and the wider community. Aesthetically,

the design concept was to create a dynamic piece of architecture that responded to its surroundings and opened up the venue to passersby.

“The orientation of the building was key in achieving these goals – we did a lot of work looking at how best to position it on the site to make the best possible use of the available public space, as well as integrate it with the stadium master plan.

“The facade design responds to the functional gradient of the building from private to public through facade articulation methods. The facade becomes more transparent towards the public space and towards the stadium. The variable transparency is achieved by exercising vertical rotations of panels, which allow visual breakthroughs towards the stadium, gradual perforations in the panels, and a horizontal cut at concourse level allowing a clear view of the stadium.”

Jump Studios, the interior design arm of Populous in the EMEA region, designed the arena’s premium hospitality spaces, players’ changing rooms, artists’ dressing rooms and offices. This interior work complements the brand identity created for LDLC Arena by Populous’ in-house brand activation team, which includes the venue’s logo and wayfinding throughout the building.

Simon Borg, Brand Activation & Wayfinding Lead at Populous, said: “Our main goal was to create an identity that not only captured the essence of the venue, symbolising the energy and passion of the sports and entertainment activities happening within the arena, but also integrated the identity of the naming partner, LDLC.

“Both the venue and LDLC were heavily involved throughout the process. Initially, we had a broad brief to develop an identity that reflected the dynamic nature of the events hosted at the venue. We provided them with a look book – a brand. And we showed them how the brand could be broken down and how it could be applied, and what it could be applied to.”

Drawing on extensive interiors experience designing highquality hospitality spaces for clients such as Ministry of Sound, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Google, and the Co-op Live Arena, Jump Studios conceived a series of flexible, premium spaces.

These spaces were strategically designed to maximise the customer experience for performers and athletes alike, with the overarching goal of maximising revenue consistently, rather than relying solely on game days and major concert events.

“Our vision for the LDLC Arena project was for it to be an identity applied throughout. The client team understood and completely bought into the importance of maintaining this consistent thread of brand throughout the building, and they’ve applied it in a range of areas, which holds together as a complete package of branding,” added Simon. “It’s on significant elements including the outside of the building, tickets, posters, social media, concessions branding and the interior details in the VIP bars, all the way through to the seating bowl itself — from the perimeter LEDs to the jumbotron in the middle of the venue. So it’s not overkill, but it touches lots of points throughout.

“The feedback has been fantastic – they’re really happy with the brand. But I think the proof of this is how they’ve adopted it across lots of different types of media – both digital and physical. That’s the indication that the brand is living and growing, so it’s been really well received and used

extensively across lots of different channels.”

Sustainability has been a key element, too, as Elizabeth explained further: “From the outset of the project, sustainability was at the heart of the design process. We did an immense amount of work to optimise the layout of the internal spaces to minimise the footprint of the building and, in turn, reduce the volume of building materials needed. “The shell of the building comprises a double skin, which helps to regulate the temperature within the arena and minimise the need for climate control systems.”

The arena generates its energy with 5,500 sq metres of photovoltaic panels on the main roof. In the public realm surrounding the venue, 30% of the total area will be green space, with the scheme to include hundreds of mature trees and a large bird reservation to the north of the site.

Francois Clement, Senior Principal and Leader of Populous’ business operations in France, said: “We’re excited to deliver our second venue for Lyon alongside Olympique Lyonnais Groupe. Leading on the arena and interior design with our interiors practice, Jump Studios, Populous was able to extend the Groupe’s ambitious OL Valley venture by providing a venue that responds to the local community. Set to attract some of the best talent in live entertainment, LDLC Arena will become a cultural hub and a significant asset to the city.”

Elizabeth concluded: “Arenas are attracting more and more attention when it comes to sustainability. Designing LDLC Arena, a large-scale, ambitious building in one of the biggest French cities, demonstrates Populous’ commitment to delivering best-in-class venues with a reduced impact on our environment. As designers, we are sharing our vision of creating spaces for people and the planet.”

populous.com | jump-studios.com

“Both the venue and LDLC were heavily involved throughout the process. Initially, we had a broad brief to develop an identity that reflected the dynamic nature of the events hosted at the venue. We provided them with a look book – a brand. And we showed them how the brand could be broken down and how it could be applied, and what it could be applied to.”

Drawing on extensive interiors experience designing highquality hospitality spaces for clients such as Ministry of Sound, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Google, and the Co-op Live Arena, Jump Studios conceived a series of flexible, premium spaces.

These spaces were strategically designed to maximise the customer experience for performers and athletes alike, with the overarching goal of maximising revenue consistently, rather than relying solely on game days and major concert events.

“Our vision for the LDLC Arena project was for it to be an identity applied throughout. The client team understood and completely bought into the importance of maintaining this consistent thread of brand throughout the building, and they’ve applied it in a range of areas, which holds together as a complete package of branding,” added Simon. “It’s on significant elements including the outside of the building, tickets, posters, social media, concessions branding and the interior details in the VIP bars, all the way through to the seating bowl itself — from the perimeter LEDs to the jumbotron in the middle of the venue. So it’s not overkill, but it touches lots of points throughout.

“The feedback has been fantastic – they’re really happy with the brand. But I think the proof of this is how they’ve adopted it across lots of different types of media – both digital and physical. That’s the indication that the brand is living and growing, so it’s been really well received and used

extensively across lots of different channels.”

Sustainability has been a key element, too, as Elizabeth explained further: “From the outset of the project, sustainability was at the heart of the design process. We did an immense amount of work to optimise the layout of the internal spaces to minimise the footprint of the building and, in turn, reduce the volume of building materials needed. “The shell of the building comprises a double skin, which helps to regulate the temperature within the arena and minimise the need for climate control systems.”

The arena generates its energy with 5,500 sq metres of photovoltaic panels on the main roof. In the public realm surrounding the venue, 30% of the total area will be green space, with the scheme to include hundreds of mature trees and a large bird reservation to the north of the site.

Francois Clement, Senior Principal and Leader of Populous’ business operations in France, said: “We’re excited to deliver our second venue for Lyon alongside Olympique Lyonnais Groupe. Leading on the arena and interior design with our interiors practice, Jump Studios, Populous was able to extend the Groupe’s ambitious OL Valley venture by providing a venue that responds to the local community. Set to attract some of the best talent in live entertainment, LDLC Arena will become a cultural hub and a significant asset to the city.”

Elizabeth concluded: “Arenas are attracting more and more attention when it comes to sustainability. Designing LDLC Arena, a large-scale, ambitious building in one of the biggest French cities, demonstrates Populous’ commitment to delivering best-in-class venues with a reduced impact on our environment. As designers, we are sharing our vision of creating spaces for people and the planet.”

populous.com | jump-studios.com

ALABAMA MEDIA - ABSEN | GIS | VIZRT | MODULO PI | LIGHTWARE

In Lyon, France, there is a new beacon of innovation and entertainment: the LDLC Arena. With a capacity of 16,000 for concerts and 12,000 for sporting events, this state-ofthe-art venue promises to become a go-to for world-class events, from ASVEL Basket’s Euroleague basketball games to incredible shows and concerts featuring renowned artists, such as Shaka Ponk, Green Day, Big Flo & Oli, and Eric Clapton. At the core of this architectural marvel is genuine technological ingenuity and creative vision, courtesy of Alabama Media, a company of Groupe Novelty.

Alabama Media’s decision to respond to the invitation to tender for the LDLC Arena project was a natural progression

of their longstanding collaboration with Ligue 1 giants, Olympique Lyonnais (OL). With years of experience working closely with OL, Alabama Media gained invaluable insights into the unique requirements for this new setting within the OL Vallée – a 23,000 sq. metre leisure hub in the outskirts of Lyon.

Alabama Media’s foray into the realm of fixed installations may have been relatively new for the company, but their expertise in creating captivating shows and navigating the intricacies of live events was unparalleled. Drawing upon their experience, Alabama Media approached the LDLC Arena project with a unique perspective, understanding the

challenges and demands of live entertainment, ensuring that every aspect of the installation was meticulously planned and executed.

Following the selection of VINCI as the contractor, the project underwent significant evolution. Alabama Media brought forth innovative ideas diverging from the initial concept, particularly regarding the design of the cube, focusing on its load-bearing capacity, demountable nature, and aesthetic appeal. Extensive discussions took place during the execution phase to precisely define the requirements for the control room. Collaboration with VINCI proved to be pivotal, with seamless coordination characterising the partnership throughout.

The cube emerged as the focal point of the LDLC Arena, spearheading the project’s vision. VINCI, acknowledging

the cube’s transformative impact, adjusted its approach, particularly concerning load considerations, framework construction, and power infrastructure.

The spectacular LED cube is a masterpiece of engineering and design that rivals those found in iconic arenas across the world. Weighing in at 17 tonnes, this behemoth is adorned with four 3.9mm Absen LED panels, each measuring 8m x 4.5m, offering stunning visuals that captivate the audience. The LED cube is not merely a static fixture, but one that delivers versatility and innovation. At the heart of the multifunction venue lies a sophisticated system using eight GIS D8+ engines, each boasting a formidable 2.5 tonnes of power. These robust motors serve as the mechanical muscle behind the seamless movement of the monumental LED cube, effortlessly raising and lowering it to accommodate various

events. What sets these engines apart is their precision and adaptability – they’re equipped with load cells, allowing them to gauge the weight of the load to the nearest gram for optimal safety and performance.

Metalwork specialist Fer et Défaire spearheaded the structural and decorative design of the cube, including the internal truss and aluminium bars. Prior to the project’s inception, Alabama Media, in collaboration with Cobalt, took the lead in presenting various design concepts. This proactive approach laid the foundation that would ultimately define the cube’s aesthetic appeal and complement the overall design of the LDLC Arena.

Pierre Duprat, Director at LDLC Arena, highlighted the importance of the LED cube’s design: “When we first discussed with Alabama, our aim was clear: we wanted something that would make everyone entering the arena say ‘wow!’

“They went through multiple iterations to achieve this, but when they proposed incorporating our logo design, we knew it was the perfect idea. Seeing it now, we are certain it’s exactly what we envisioned. As people enter the arena, they instinctively reach for their phones to capture the moment and share it on social media, precisely the reaction we aimed for.”

Elsewhere, two Absen 3.9mm LED scoring screens, measuring 6m x 3.5m, provide real-time game statistics for an immersive experience for spectators. Moreover, 200 linear metres of Absen 4mm LED fascia adorn the venue’s stands, enveloping audiences in a mesmerising visual display. Furthermore, Alabama Media provided 37 metres of LED

banner panels, used around basketball court. Additionally, there is a motorised ring under the cube, consisting of four 6m x 1m Absen PL3.9 V10 LED panels, adding another layer of dynamic visual engagement.

Francois Aubert, General Manager at LDLC Arena, added: “It’s crucial to have a proficient team that understands our needs and can adapt to different requirements. Our goal is continuous improvement and, while budget constraints are a factor, we strive to upgrade wherever possible.

“Tony Parker envisioned an American-style venue, which influenced our decision to incorporate features like the large LED cube and balcony seating. Modularity was key; the ability to move the LED cube to the roof or stage adds versatility to our events.

“Alabama Media played a pivotal role in ensuring this modularity, despite their primary focus on touring setups. Their dedication to quality is evident, so partnering with companies like Alabama Media has been instrumental in achieving our vision for LDLC Arena.”

In addition to the LED displays, Alabama Media installed an array of cutting-edge technology throughout the venue. The company supplied and integrated all video equipment for the broadcast control room, including servers, production tools, and live broadcast capabilities.

The Alabama team specified, sourced, and integrated state-of-the-art broadcasting equipment. At the forefront of their setup was the broadcast Front of House, equipped with industry-leading technology, including a Tricaster 2 Elite video mixer with a control surface 2-Stripe and a 3Play 3P1 from Vizrt. This sophisticated setup provided

unparalleled control and flexibility in capturing and broadcasting live events. Additionally, Modulo Pi’s 4 flux 4K media server, configured to flawlessly broadcast media across all LED screens throughout the arena, including the iconic cube, inner circle, balconies, and pitch banners. Also featured at LDLC Arena is Lightware’s MX2-8x8-DH8DPio-A, a standalone Full 4K Matrix Switcher boasting DisplayPort 1.2 Input and Output Ports. This cutting-edge technology guarantees unmatched AV signal switching capabilities. Experience seamless delivery of uncompressed 4K UHD@60Hz RGB 4:4:4 video with zero latency, ensuring impeccable picture quality without any disruptions during slow-motion playback. Lightware’s exclusive Advanced EDID Management feature makes this product perfect for futureproof installations, allowing for customized EDID settings tailored to LED walls. Additionally, the matrix supports HDR and Low Latency Dolby Vision, while also offering audio embedding/de-embedding of PCM, Dolby Digital, and DTS high bitrate audio.

Xavier Aucagne, Alabama’s Technical Manager, added: “From the initial concept to the final installation, every aspect demanded precision and expertise. Our team worked tirelessly to ensure seamless integration that really delivers for LDLC Arena.”

Alabama Media’s journey with the LDLC Arena exemplifies the convergence of technology and artistry, where innovation meets spectacle. From the monumental LED cube to the immersive LED displays that surround the bowl, each element is crafted to deliver an unparalleled entertainment experience for the venue’s diverse array of events.

Pierre expressed optimism about the venue’s future success: “Ultimately, it’s the people and our clients who will determine the success, but we have full confidence in the partnerships we’ve created to get where we are now. With over 40 events already scheduled, we’re thrilled with the momentum we’ve built.

“Our goal is to establish LDLC Arena as a premier destination for events. We’ve already secured major events like WWE, thanks to our state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure. Our vision is to firmly place Lyon on the map as a hub for large-scale events, and, while it may take time, we’re committed to realising this ambition step by step.”

Christopher Dubost, Project Manager at Alabama, concluded: “We are delighted to be able to finally see the results of all our hard work and efforts in this iconic, state-of-the-art venue, which plays host to some of the world’s greatest artists and athletes. We have put all our expertise into equipping this venue with the very best video technology to deliver an unforgettable entertainment experience for productions and visitors alike.”

Tony Parker, former NBA star and majority owner of ASVEL Basket, expressed his delight with his club’s new home venue: “This is the culmination of the incredible project I initiated in 2014. The LDLC is going to be one of the most beautiful venues in the world. Today, a basketball match is a spectacle. As soon as the spectators enter the hall, they will see the difference.”

alabama-media.com

L-ACOUSTICS

The newly inaugurated LDLC Arena in Lyon is a prominent addition to France’s event venues as the largest indoor arena outside Paris. In a city already known for its vibrant fusion of history, culture, and innovation, this new, Populousdesigned venue symbolises the ambitious objective of the local government to offer a versatile space that can host large crowds for electrifying sports events and major concerts.

Given the stated mission of offering diverse events under one spectacular roof, the LDLC team turned to Marseille-based integration company Snef to design and install a professional concert-grade audio system capable of reinforcing any imaginable content.

Snef has a solid history of successful collaboration on similar projects, including the professional sound system installed in Marseille’s multi-purpose Stade Vélodrome. At LDLC Arena, Snef was tasked with providing flexible yet uniform coverage, throughout the audience for any sport or entertainment.

In addition, the sound system needed to be compact and adaptable to different arena layouts as the form and capacity of the space changed depending on the event.

“This project was a real adventure for Lyon,” explained Rodolphe Roellinger, National Technical Director at Snef. “They’ve never had a space capable of hosting such a wide range of events, each requiring an equally versatile and highquality sound system.”

Snef designed a professional sound system based on L-Acoustics A Series and K Series, chosen for their ability to provide wide coverage without obstructing spectator views during matches, and their capacity to adapt to both intimate performances and international shows. The engineering team used Soundvision to map out coverage, choosing a combination of A Series and K Series for flexibility.

In the U-shaped venue, Snef designed a system of two hangs of 12 K3 with two central clusters of KS28 subwoofers at the top of the ‘U,’ which serve as a touring system for concerts.

Six hangs of six A15i are placed three per side, with two further hangs of two A15i, front and back, which serve for smaller events or can be used as a delay for concerts. Six LA7.16i and two LA12X amplified controllers drive the whole system.

“We’re proud to have a superior sound system provided by L-Acoustics for this unique new venue,” said Roellinger. “With its acoustical precision and power, every event leaves an indelible imprint on the audience. The response has been resoundingly positive, with attendees lauding the astounding quality and crystal-clear clarity of the sound. Thanks to L-Acoustics, we’ve set a new standard for audio experiences in Lyon.”

l-acoustics.com

UNIGUEST

Uniguest, a renowned leader in delivering cutting-edge secure engagement technologies, played a pivotal role as an official supplier to the LDLC Arena in Lyon, in collaboration with IP-Partners and Videlio.

Their contribution included IPTV and Digital Signage solutions, which transformed the arena into a hub of modern, immersive experiences for fans and guests alike. From electrifying basketball matches to unforgettable concerts, Uniguest’s versatile technology brought the LDLC Arena to life, offering a seamless blend of entertainment options.

Whether it’s checking out the digital menu boards for favourite snacks or reliving the winning moments on the massive 144 sq metre LED screens, Uniguest’s technology enhanced every aspect of the arena experience.

The LDLC Arena stands as a beacon of experiential design excellence, thanks to the innovative Tripleplay platform by Uniguest. Beyond mere aesthetics and cost-efficiency, these digital engagement solutions redefine the way fans and visitors interact with the arena, forging lasting memories that have already become synonymous with the LDLC Arena itself. Uniguest’s involvement goes beyond just providing sophisticated digital engagement solutions; it encompasses a commitment to superior customer service and collaboration. Their technical experts seamlessly integrated digital solutions into the state-of-the-art space of the LDLC Arena, ensuring a flawless experience for all visitors.

“In collaboration with IP-Partners and Videlio, we have brought advanced technology to a truly exceptional arena in France. The LDLC Arena represents a groundbreaking

utilisation of the Tripleplay platform by Uniguest, facility managers can effortlessly deliver content to over 300 screens within the arena, elevating the overall experience for everyone involved.”

uniguest.com

DAPLAST

LDLC Arena is a venue that showcases a host of innovations, including cutting-edge seating solutions crafted by Daplast.

The Lyon arena boasts a stunning array of 16,000 seats, all manufactured at Daplast’s factory in Cordoba, Spain. These seats not only epitomise comfort, but also offer remarkable flexibility, allowing LDLC Arena to cater to diverse event needs with ease.

Joining the ranks of illustrious venues worldwide, LDLC Arena proudly features Daplast seats, joining the likes of FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou, Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu, and Parc des Princes in Paris.

While Daplast has historically excelled in soccer stadium seating, their collaboration with LDLC Arena marks a significant milestone in their portfolio. As a premier concert and sport events destination, the venue’s plush, adaptable seating sets a new standard for versatility and luxury.

Designed to meet the demands of a genuinely multifunctional space, Daplast designed removable seats that can be effortlessly stored on wheeled trolleys, ensuring swift transitions between configurations.

Daplast expertly tailored the flexible seating system with specially designed brackets. From the plush Avatar Premium seats to the fully upholstered Avatar Suite seats, every aspect

of comfort and style has been considered.

The retractable stands, outfitted with Avatar seating by Daplast, offer unparalleled flexibility, seamlessly adjusting to accommodate larger crowds or creating ample space for electrifying concerts.

Further enhancing the auditory experience, Daplast introduced its Sittem seat model with acoustic covers, designed to optimise sound absorption.

With an impressive modularity and capacity up to 16,000 spectators, LDLC Arena is poised to host an array of concerts and events, including Eric Clapton, Green Day, Justin Timberlake, Jonas Brothers, and Fally Ipupa, as well as two WWE events.

LDLC Arena stands as a testament to technological advancement and environmental sustainability, solidifying its status as one of Europe’s premier venues.

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· Customized solutions for each type of grandstand.

· Since 1973, more than 50 years of experience.

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PIXMOB

During the electrifying LDLC Arena opening evening, 11,354 spectators wore wearable lighting tech designed by Montreal-based entertainment lighting innovators, PixMob. PixMob’s immersive LED wristbands synchronise the crowd with the on-field action for teams, leagues and large-scale sporting and music events, to supercharge fan engagement.

Throughout the magical inaugural event, an exhilarating game between LDLC ASVEL and FC Bayern Munich, spectators became active participants in the show and game, igniting joy and fan experience throughout the entire arena.

“We were thrilled to be part of this incredible inaugural event at LDLC Arena,” said Ysabel Van Grudenberg, PixMob’s Managing Director in Europe.

“Seeing the crowd light up in this new venue was exhilarating. The entire performance was designed for a truly fan-fuelled experience and we’re proud to have played a role in making it happen.”

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VENUE FOCUS

LIGHTING

034 AFC Asian Cup | Lusail, Qatar

SUSTAINABILITY

040 Bluenergy Stadium | Friuli, Italy

TURF

046 Rams Park | Istanbul, Turkey

AUDIO

050 Guildford Spectrum | Guildford, England

3D DESIGN SOFTWARE

054 Chase Stadium | Fort Lauderdale, USA

AFC ASIAN CUP 2023

Lusail, Qatar

On 12 January 2024, Qatar hosted the Opening Ceremony of the AFC Asian Cup at the 88,000-capacity Lusail Stadium, the largest stadium in the Middle East. Unusually for a football tournament, the ceremony was on an unprecedented scale, comprising a full-size stage in midfield with a set featuring sand dunes, colourful costumes, and stunning visuals around a central motif of giant

Images: © Katara Studios

mirrored petals. Simultaneously broadcast internationally across the Middle East, Asia and Australasia, the 21-minute visual extravaganza, Mirrors, The Lost Chapter from the Book of Kelileh Wa Demneh, was a triumph of theatrical story-telling. Equally impressive was the speed in which it was struck in just 27 minutes by 700 stage hands, in choreography as coordinated as the performers who preceded them, before the first match of the tournament kicked off.

“It was like Super Bowl on steroids!” said Lighting Designer, Roland Greil who, brought in by design and production agency, Sila Sveta, used over 450 Ayrton fixtures as the majority - and main key lighting workhorses - of his design.

“Our aim from the beginning was to create a very theatrical theme and lighting design in keeping with the cinematic approach taken by producers, Katara Studios,” explained Greil. “The show was a hugely complex, spectacular, yet very theatrical piece with a detailed story line and glorious costumes. We needed a rig that could support the beautiful story on stage and create magical looks for 80% of the time, but also to have additional fire power to create some big

looks for the remaining 20% for the live broadcast, and to reflect the joy and enthusiasm for the game of football within the region.”

Countering the constraints of stadium rigging positions, Greil worked with Technical Director Shannon Gobell to develop some “really good” lighting positions, the throw distances of which “bring their own physics with it!”

45 Domino Profiles and 80 Huracán Profiles were rigged around the circumference of the pitch on Level 0 at a height of at 1.6m with a throw distance of 40m-50m. “These immediately gave us traditional theatrical side lighting without interfering with audience sightlines, yet were high enough to fire above the heads of the security teams on the perimeters,” explained Greil. “Side lighting is your biggest friend for those magical looks, and the Domino Profiles and Huracán Profiles were our work horses for key lighting, side lighting and eye-candy for background imagery from here.

“Half way up the grandstands on Level 4 we found another perfect lighting position which we filled with 110 Domino Profiles for more key lighting from a distance of 80m-90m.

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Domino Profiles are basically an IP version of the Huracán Profile so I was able to use them both as if they were the same light. In the Arabic world, lighting for the live audience is of equal importance to lighting for worldwide broadcast, so getting the key lighting right is the most important aspect of the whole lighting package to achieve both.”

A further 67 Domino Profiles were rigged along two overhead catwalk trusses at a height of 90m-100m providing two high lighting positions from where they could light the audience for background shots, washing them with LED spotlights. 96 laser-sourced Ayrton Cobra fixtures were rigged on top the stadium roof to create aerial beams and extend the effect of the fireworks which were filmed by overhead drones and a heli cam. “We also used the Cobras to create some nice looks that worked from the inside of the stadium, positioning them to build a kind of roof of lights over the open stadium that could be seen perfectly from within.”

On stage, Greil integrated 54 Ayrton Domino Washes into the floor which he used to light the scenic elements, but also to create a ‘beautiful shaft of light’ in between the five mirrored LED petals of the main scenic element.

Traditional follow spots were replaced by a FollowMe system working in conjunction with the Huracán and Domino Profiles on Level 4. “In fact, we were able to calibrate each and every one of 450+ Ayrton fixtures in the overhead rig and choose any light or combination of lights we wanted to act as follow spots,” said Greil. “This was very beneficial for broadcast as we could pick and choose multiple lights to ensure we had the exact perfect angle for both broadcast and the live performance at all times. This was the first performance of a FollowMe system on a major stadium event and it worked perfectly. We were able to follow performers over an entire football field, not just a defined stadium stage, and we replaced what would traditionally have been 12-20

follow spots offering a limited number of angles, with 450 ‘follow spots’ that could be used in an incredibly creative way. It gave us huge flexibility and saved us an immense amount of time in rehearsal too.

“Considering scale of the show, we lit the whole ceremony with relatively few lights,” concluded Greil. “In total there were 54 Domino Washes, 224 Domino Profiles, 80 Huracán Profiles and 96 Cobra, alongside another 244 moving lights, all of which were amply able to cope with the huge throw distances. Thanks to these and a great collaboration between all the departments we were able to beat the challenges of lighting a huge profile event in a stadium.”

All lighting for the AFC Asian Cup was supplied by PRG Middle East.

Lighting Design: Roland Greil

Stage Design & Visuals Creative Director: Artur Kond/ Sila Sveta

Katara Studios Executive Creative Director: Ahmed Al Baker

General Producers: Alexey Rozov & Alexander Us

Katara Studios Executive Producer: Mahmoud Hamaky

Producer: Magrifa Kamayeva

Show Director: Slava Kualev

Broadcast Director: Marek Mill

Technical Director: Shannon Gobell

Associate Lighting Design: Troy Eckerman

LX Programmer & Studio Associate: Michael Kuehbandner

LX Programmer: Markus Neubauer

Design Assistant & Spot Caller: Tom Levin

Audio Design: Scott Willsallen

Staging & Automation: Stage One

LX Vendor: PRG Middle East

Audio Vendor: Agora

Rigging Vendor: Es:Me

Clarity For Every Seat

BROADBAND DIRECTIVITY

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S3 is a 2.5-way passive multi-purpose speaker featuring Passive End Fire Technology broadband directivity control and multiple user adjustable directivity patterns. S3 can be used as a stage monitor, compact club system, as a single or an arrays and installations ranging from small auditoriums to big sporting venues.

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BLUENERGY STADIUM

Friuli, Italy

Udinese Calcio and Bluenergy Group have announced the start of construction on a cutting-edge photovoltaic system to be fitted to the roof of the stadium owned by the Friuli-based club. Over 2,400 state-of-the-art solar panels will help produce around 3,000 kWh/day, enabling the facility to become partially energy self-sufficient.

The project means further innovation for an avant-garde sports facility which is already seen as a model of design, multifunctionality, safety and sustainability throughout Europe.

The new photovoltaic system is being developed by Bluenergy Group with the support of the Polytechnic University of Milan as energy advisor. In particular, the collaboration focused on identifying the

Images: Udinese Calcio

most suitable technology for the specific needs of the project, technical assessment of the system with a view to selfconsumption, and analysis of the possibility of adopting other technologies and models to aid the energy transition, such as storage systems and energy communities.

A total of 2,409 solar panels will be built, covering a total surface area of 4,615 m2. The panels will be laid in two parallel sections across the entire stadium roof, integrating seamlessly with the stadium’s architectural design by Studio Casamonti. The project team is also assessing the possibility of adding a 330 kW battery storage park to ensure longer charge and discharge cycles and enhance the potential of this impressive system.

This latest initiative will see Bluenergy and Udinese take a further step towards an increasingly sustainable management of the stadium, whose naming rights were recently acquired by the energy group owned by the Curti family.

Since becoming Udinese’s energy partner in 2018, Bluenergy has provided the club with energy solely from renewable sources, with a saving of 5,620 tonnes of CO2.

This achievement, together with the new solar park, takes Bluenergy Stadium ever closer to achieving a balance between anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide and their removal from the atmosphere. However, the aim of the club and its

energy partner is to continue on the path of energy transition and eliminate all emissions. Udinese is working to this end as part of the European Club Association (ECA) Sustainability Working Group, drawing up a sustainability roadmap for European football clubs.

“Innovation and environmental awareness continue to play a central role in Udinese Calcio’s decision-making,” Udinese Managing Director, Franco Collavino said. “This is another reason why we’re thrilled to make our stadium even greener, with the invaluable help of Bluenergy.

“We have been recognised as the most sustainable club in Italy and the fourth most sustainable in the world. This motivates both us and Bluenergy, one of the key players in Italy’s energy transition, to promote projects that give further momentum to this commitment. Football has an unparalleled presence in mass media and, in addition to our own responsibility to act in a moral way, we have a duty to spread messages that encourage fans to come together in the fight against climate change.”

“We have worked passionately and determinedly on this project and now it is finally a reality,” added Alberta Gervasio, CEO of Bluenergy Group. “Together with Udinese Calcio, we are proud of being the developers of an energy system capable of combining sustainability, energy efficiency

and return to the local area. Alongside the numerous activities we carry out daily, participating in this project means that we are even more involved in the sustainable economic development of the local area. Sustainability plays an essential role in the lives of businesses and individuals, and it is a concrete investment both in terms of quality of life and economic gain for the region.”

The Bluenergy Stadium solar energy system, which is expected to come into operation by October 2024, is the latest example of Udinese Calcio’s commitment to sustainability, which has guided every decision relating to the stadium from its very conception. Despite the greater costs, the club chose to build the new facility on the site of the previous one so as not to use additional land. Furthermore, part of the material produced from the demolition of the old stadium was reused. The same philosophy was behind the decision to create a structure that can be used every day of the week, not only on

matchday. A meeting centre, the club’s headquarters, offices for businesses and institutions, and shops are already in use, with a museum, a wellness centre and areas for families in the pipeline. Such decisions, together with the support of Bluenergy Group and the construction of the new solar park, make Bluenergy Stadium Italy’s most pioneering football stadium for the elimination of CO2 emissions.

“We’re pleased to have supported Bluenergy Group and Udinese Calcio with this important project,” stated Senior Assistant Professor at the Polytechnic University of Milan, Simone Franzo. “We hope it can lead the way in enabling further initiatives in the world of football and sport to support Italy’s energy transition. As part of this collaboration, we had the chance to discuss various opportunities sports clubs can take advantage of in the realm of energy transition, as well as the associated environmental and social benefits.”

Venues, Clubs & Architects Enquiries

Sam Hughes

s.hughes@mondiale.co.uk

Supplier Enquiries

Jamie Dixon

j.dixon@mondiale.co.uk

For clubs, architects and suppliers of sporting venue projects; STADIA | SESSIONS is a new intimate space to share ideas, specify projects and network.

RAMS PARK

Istanbul, Turkey

Managing cup competitions alongside domestic fixtures is difficult at the best of times. But it’s even harder when games in the Champions League need rescheduling. The extra mid-week travel puts pressure on football’s elite clubs, with some squads clocking up thousands of added miles to complete their fixtures. It’s a complication every manager wants to avoid.

Still, you can’t account for the weather and sometimes it’s so bad a game seems destined for another date. That is, unless you have SIS Pitches managing the playing surface.

On November 29, 2023. Galatasaray hosted Manchester United in Istanbul for a Champions League clash. Rams Park, Galatasaray’s home ground, sees a range of conditions throughout the year, with city temperatures averaging between 20-28°c for the first few months of the season. Cooler temperatures, rain and even snow are common during the winter months, owing to Istanbul’s altitude and coastal position.

Rain was forecast for November 29 – certainly not unusual for the time of year. However, the amount expected to fall is what gave UEFA cause for concern. Observation notes and data collected by SIS on the morning of the game tell their own story. From 10am, thunderstorms would occur throughout the day, bringing near-constant rain up until midnight.

Conscious of a potential postponement, SIS activated its SISAir soil aeration system at 9.15 am. SISAir has been developed to help sports club owners and groundskeepers make the most of root zone growing conditions, making it easier to maintain stronger, healthier turf.

The system is installed just underneath a site’s playing surface. Once in-situ, SISAir can be used for subsurface aeration, water removal and gas exchange. This is done by setting the network of pipes to vacuum mode or pressure mode.

As Ilyas Kobal, Managing Director at SIS Pitches (Eastern Europe) pointed out: “We knew vacuum mode would be critical throughout the day, so we began with manual operation early that morning to gauge rainfall intensity and the need for both pumps to discharge water.

“Our approach is proactive. We don’t wait for problems to arise; we anticipate and mitigate them. Days before an expected downpour, we fine-tune our system, to ensure optimal pitch conditions. It’s a delicate balance, but we also need to be prepared for anything. And when the teams take to the field, our system ensures that the game proceeds without a hitch.

“Beyond the game itself, our partnership extends to ongoing maintenance and support. We work closely with stadium officials, monitoring both the system and pitch conditions in real-time. It’s a collaborative effort, ensuring that every match is played on a pitch that’s primed for peak performance.

Images: Raul77, SIS Pitches

According to SIS notes, at 10.18am the system’s drainage well recorded a level of 50cm, triggering the first pump into action. The rain was heavier than expected throughout the late morning, causing the second pump to start.

A few hours later, just before 1pm, the pumps were stopped as the well water level fell below the 50cm mark for the first time. The system was proving highly effective, though it would only be a temporary reprieve with more bad weather to come.

“We only had a short period with the pumps off,” added Ilyas. “But we had proof of concept. These conditions were extremely challenging, but the system was more than prepared to handle the strain. That gave us confidence knowing what was to come.”

As torrential rain continued throughout the day, fans and journalists began to question if the evening game would be called off. One noted the ‘biblical showers in Istanbul’ while another tweeted that the two teams would be ‘playing in a swamp’ if the game wasn’t postponed.

Speculation continued to mount as the U19s competed in a UEFA Youth League match at the nearby Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadium. Video of that match showed the ball barely rolling across a heavily waterlogged pitch making it virtually impossible for players to perform.

Unlike Rams Park, Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadium is not fitted with SISAir. This demonstrates the importance of effective surface management systems for major sporting events, particularly in regions where poor playing conditions are common. At Rams Park, water was being siphoned off just as fast as it was settling. At the other stadium, the pitch was effectively unplayable.

“The SISAir soil aeration system is a game-changer. It’s not just about dealing with extreme weather; it’s about ensuring the integrity of the game itself. When faced with torrential rain before the Galatasaray-Manchester United match, our system sprang into action, swiftly draining the water from the pitch,” said Ilyas.

Shortly after the U19s match concluded, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand said he was doubtful the evening’s fixture would go ahead, and throughout the afternoon UEFA officials were seen inspecting Galatasaray’s pitch. Some threw match balls into the air to test responsiveness only to find them sticking to the ground

upon impact. Many agreed with Ferdinand’s assessment at the time, but the SIS team were confident the evening game would kick-off as planned.

“From 17.15 onwards, we moved the system up gear,” said Ilyas. “The vacuums increased from 60% to 80%, and both pumps continued to run on/off cycles to remove excess liquid. From 18.30, a single pump was sufficient to discharge water as the rain began to ease – this approach is used for a rainfall intensity up to 25mm/h. Even so, the two pumps would have been capable of preparing the pitch in time had conditions worsened.”

Despite an extraordinary amount of rain amid intense media speculation, officials remained confident the game would be played. In the early evening, a statement was released from UEFA, which read: “We are closely monitoring the weather forecast and at this stage the match will go ahead as scheduled.”

This was a vote of confidence for the SISAir system as rain continued to fall while both teams warmed up. Sensor level trend data showed 2.116m3 of water flowed into the well within one minute at maximum rainfall, indicating an overall rate of 127m3 per hour and a rainfall intensity of 15.61 mm/h. These recordings are corroborated when compared with data from NASA instruments taken on the same evening. “This figure is not unheard of but over the whole day it constitutes a severe storm,” Ilyas concluded. “Even so, we made it clear to UEFA that conditions still fell well within the system’s capabilities and the pitch would be playable. In the end, we were able to remove all excess rainwater and keep the pitch resistance-free. For some fans the final score was a disappointment, but for us this was a clear win away from home.

“By ensuring that games proceed as scheduled, without costly delays or cancellations, our system delivers tangible benefits for both teams and fans alike. It’s an investment in the future of the game – one that pays dividends every time the whistle blows.”

Innovative systems, like SISAir, are just one part of SIS’s offering. The company also creates natural, hybrid and artificial surfaces, including running tracks, as well as ongoing maintenance of all pitches regardless of whether they were originally built by SIS.

VORTIS 2

EN 54- COMPLIANT HIGH PERFORMANCE

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GUILDFORD SPECTRUM

Guildford, England

Images: APEX

Systems integrator, NoiseBoys Technologies Ltd. burned the midnight oil to install a trio of APEX CloudPower amplifiers as part of a recent audio and lighting refresh for the ice rink at Guildford Spectrum.

The Olympic-sized ice rink is home to Guildford Flames, a professional team in the Elite Ice Hockey League. Among the project requirements were the need to provide high quality audio throughout the acoustically challenging space, and to extend audio coverage to spectator stands. The venue is open from 4.30am to 11.00pm daily and hosts a packed programme of matches, training, figure skating, leisure sessions, Ice Xtreme disco nights, and more. To minimise disruption to the client, the NoiseBoys team completed most of the AV upgrade in the early hours of the morning, ensuring that all

equipment was off the ice before the early training sessions began each day.

The installation involved the removal of three pairs of old, centrally located 15” speakers hanging above the ice. These bulky cabinets were replaced by 22 FBT Shadow 108CT eightinch coaxial all-weather loudspeakers distributed throughout the space, supported by six Shadow 114S-T subwoofers, enabling even coverage to the rink and adjacent stands. Amplification is provided by a trio of APEX CloudPower CP1504 amplifiers, each delivering 4 x 1500W. NoiseBoys made extensive use of the CloudPower amplifiers’ integral equalisers and other DSP tools to mitigate the inevitable reverberations encountered in an environment with many hard surfaces. Each of the new amplifiers occupies a single rack unit, freeing up valuable space in a control room which

previously housed a rack full of older analogue amps. Both the loudspeakers and amplifiers were supplied by distributor, FBT Audio (UK) Ltd.

“CloudPower gave us all the tools we needed at a sensible cost,” explains NoiseBoys Technologies director, Phill Beynon. “With the time constraints we were working under, it was great being able to use the IntelliCloud software to tweak the amplifier EQ and level settings from the ice or in the stands, without wasting time climbing all the way up to the amp room each time. The APEX team was also refreshingly approachable and happy to discuss the project with us.”

The new system has been designed for intelligibility of everyday announcements and commentary but also

comfortably delivers the higher SPL needed for disco nights and special events. As different uses of the facility require sound reinforcement in discreet areas, NoiseBoys created a custom browser-based interface that allows the ice rink staff to switch between events that require audio on the ice only, in the stands only, or throughout the whole venue.

The ice rink’s lighting system also benefitted from a full overhaul, enabling the client to employ lighting effects during discos and play timed light shows before ice hockey games. A total of 72 older Par Cans were replaced with 48 colour changing LED Par Cans and 12 high powered LED flood lights.

How do you light an arena for the NHL, WNBA, concerts and more . . . using net-zero carbon?

That was the goal at Climate Pledge Arena, home of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken, WNBA’s Seattle Storm, world-class concerts, and possibly a future NBA franchise.

Musco designed a TLC for LED® system with custom mounts that adapt to the arena’s iconic roof structure, tunable white fixtures that adjust color temperature for unique visual settings, and the ability to integrate with in-house and traveling special effects consoles.

And it helped Climate Pledge Arena on its journey to become the first net-zero carbon arena in the world.

“ This shows that, as an arena, you can have professional sports, you can have the big concerts, and you can do it without impacting the environment. And Musco is the industry standard, it’s the go-to for any project of this size and significance.”

– Randy Foster Director of Production, Climate Pledge Arena

CHASE STADIUM

Fort Lauderdale, USA

You may have heard the news: Lionel Messi, known to many as the greatest player in football/ soccer history, is about to begin his first full season for Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami CF.

The FC Barcelona legend and World Cup winner joined the Miami club at the end of the 2023 season and was a force of nature — in fact, Messi scored 10 goals in his first 11 games.

Another impressive number attached to Messi’s arrival is the 3.5 billion people who tuned in for Messi’s unveiling to the Inter Miami supporters and fans around the world. Continue reading to see how industry veteran and Vectorworks expert Andres Albornoz helped put on the event watched by nearly a third of the world’s population.

Albornoz worked on the Messi unveiling with Black Stage Productions and Grid CAD & Rendering Corp, two companies based in Miami. The team focused on creating a production that was worthy of the occasion, but also one that matched Messi’s disposition. “He’s a very grounded guy,” said Albornoz, “so we didn’t want something exploding; we chose to just keep it simple and create something special for him.”

To strike the creative balance, Albornoz looked into why Messi chose to come to Major League Soccer.

“It was family first, blood first. I ended up thinking about the flower of life, geometrical paths that assure one’s position in life,” Albornoz said.

The flower motif signifies that Messi chose Miami for the most important reason of all: family.

Like so many productions, the biggest challenge for Albornoz was how little time he had to bring the project to life, with just a couple weeks of production planning, two days of loading, and only one day to program.

Images: GRID CAD & Rendering Corp / Andres Albornoz

Unlike a project where Albornoz could take time drafting everything in great detail — like the record-breaking Karl G USA tour in 2023, for example — he needed to rely on Vectorworks Spotlight’s rich features to quickly pitch and build the project.

GDTF and MVR, for example, helped Albornoz and the production team previsualize the project with quick renderings and even pre-program all the lighting in no time at all. Simple extrusions, additionally, depicted the stage’s LED screen floor and other scenic elements.

Albornoz also used automatic area values within the Rectangle tool in Vectorworks to calculate how much of the grass needed to be protected during the event, one of Inter Miami’s primary concerns of the production. The tool helped communicate the stage’s dimensions, where cables would be laid, and what sections of the field would be needed for the unveiling.

With the graphics-forward nature of Vectorworks Spotlight, conveying all of the design’s important information was no issue for Albornoz.

The successful production had Vectorworks at the centre, but as Albornoz acknowledged, it couldn’t have happened without a team. So, the designer wanted to call special attention to those who helped bring the Messi unveiling to life:

• Black Stage Productions

• Grid CAD & Rendering Corp

• LPS Productions

• Persival Productions

• Production Video Group

• CES Power Live and Loud

Ronny Garcia, Stage Manager

Nesmar Cepeda, Lighting programmer

Jorge Valdex, Lighting Director

Rafael Perez, Drafting and Rendering

Daniel Quinones, Crew Chief

EXTRA TIME

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066 Tasker | CPR Cables for 2024

068 BSS | Soundweb OMNI Series

070 Electro-Voice | V600:2

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072 Terraplas

ESSMA SUMMIT 2024

The 10th edition of the ESSMA Summit, held on January 23rd and 24th, marked a significant moment for European Stadium Industry professionals to gather and share their experiences.

With over 300 participants hailing from 21 different countries, the Johan Cruijff Arena became a hub for knowledge sharing, networking, and celebrating excellence in the stadium industry.

Day 1 - Johan Cruijff Arena shares its secrets

The summit commenced with inspiring keynotes from prominent figures representing the Johan Cruijff Arena, FC Barcelona, and AMB Sports and Entertainment. Attendees were treated to in-depth stadium tours, exploring various facilities such as the

control room, tunnel club, changing rooms.... where experts shared insights, providing a behind-thescenes look at the intricacies of stadium operations.

Day 1 concluded with a grand seated dinner and award show where the inaugural Stadium Industry Awards were presented. RC Strassbourg received recognition for development, Johan Cruijff Arena for sustainability, and Racing Club de Ferrol for safety and security – setting the stage for an evening of celebration and acknowledgment.

Day 2 - Best practices across the European stadium landscape

The second day of the summit was filled with engaging presentations, panel discussions, and seminars. A special mastermind session on safety and

security, led by John Beattie, ESSMA President and Stadium Direct at Arsenal FC, kick-started the day. Participants were then divided into groups, with one focusing on stadium development and safety, and the other on fan engagement and commerce.

The presentations and panels delved into a spectrum of crucial topics shaping the future of stadium management. Notable themes included:

- Sustainability

- Stadium hospitality of the future

- Safe standing

- Stewarding

- Club content creation

- Enabling smart stadiums and the digital fan experience

- MICE business models

- Creating and unifying a seamless fan journey

The summit brought together a diverse array of presenters, with representatives from renowned clubs such as RCD Espanyol, Arsenal FC, PSG, Manchester United FC, Everton FC, FC Barcelona, and Newcastle United, along with contributors from entities like 433. The blend of perspectives provided attendees with a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities facing the stadium industry.

The 10th ESSMA Summit undoubtedly proved to be a resounding success, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and recognition within the stadium industry. As the global community continues to navigate challenges and embrace opportunities, the insights gained from this summit will undoubtedly contribute to the on-going evolution of stadium management practices worldwide.

ESSMA members - key takeaways

“Today data is number one in football. You can you

use it for stadium operations, enhance marketing efforts, and tailor offerings to meet the preferences of fans and much more. It’s very interesting to see how we can build up the industry quickly through data.”Ola

Gällstad,

Event Manager at Malmö FF

“Digital trends can reconnect clubs and fans. On the other hand fan behaviour and customer intimacy is becoming more and more important. We explored new strategies to improve the overall fan experience, including insights into fan behaviour and personalised services for spectators.” - Michiel Vanderheyden, Founder of The Arena Group

“Sustainability is more important than ever. Renewable energy integration, waste reduction strategies, and eco-friendly transportation options for fans are a few elements that were very interesting for me. “ - Sander van Stiphout, International Director of the Johan Cruijff ArenA

ESSMA Stadium Industry Awards

The 10th edition of the ESSMA Summit marked a historic moment with the introduction of the ESSMA Stadium Industry Awards. As the evening unfolded, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation and excitement as the industry’s best initiatives were recognised and celebrated.

The awards ceremony, accompanied by a seated dinner, showcased outstanding achievements across various categories, reflecting the commitment and innovation within the stadium industry. Here is a closer look at the winners and their remarkable initiatives:

Sustainability Initiative of the Year: Johan Cruijff ArenA

The prestigious Sustainability Initiative of the Year award went to the Johan Cruijff ArenA, a testament to their dedication to environmental responsibility and innovation and their aim to become Net Positive by 2030. The arena’s sustainable practices set a benchmark for the industry, demonstrating

a commitment to a greener, more eco-friendly future. In a close competition, LFP secured the 2nd position with their integration of CSR criteria in teh club licensing process, followed by Vfl Wolfsburg in 3rd place with their project to reduce microplastics.

Safety & Security Initiative of the Year: Racing Club de Ferrol

Racing Club de Ferrol emerged as the winner in the Safety & Security Initiative of the Year category. Their exemplary efforts in ensuring the safety and security of fans following their promotion to the 2nd league showcased the club’s commitment to creating a secure environment. Real Betis secured the 2nd position with their safety initiative for fans of functional diversity, closely followed by KAA Gent with their biometric access project in 3rd place.

Stadium Development, Construction & Renovation Initiative of the

Year: Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace

Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace claimed the top spot in the Stadium Development, Construction & Renovation Initiative of the Year category. Their innovative approach to stadium development which includes upcycling and reusage of Airbus 1340 fuselage components for their South stand, set a standard for excellence in the industry. Friends Arena secured the 2nd position with their new event deck and floodlight installation, with Manchester United FC securing the 3rd spot for their connectivity network implementation. The ESSMA Stadium Industry Awards not only celebrated the winners but also expressed gratitude to all the finalists for their invaluable contributions. The showcased initiatives highlighted

the industry’s continual efforts to push boundaries and embrace innovation. The diversity of projects and ideas presented by the finalists showcased the dynamic nature of the stadium industry.

A special note of appreciation was extended to all members who actively participated in the voting process. The success of these awards relies on the engagement and support of the industry, and the enthusiastic participation demonstrated the collective commitment to recognizing and promoting excellence.

As the curtain fell on the awards ceremony, the stadium industry looked forward to building on the momentum created by these initiatives. The ESSMA Stadium Industry Awards not only acknowledged past accomplishments but also served as inspiration for future endeavors, reinforcing the industry’s dedication to progress, sustainability, safety, and overall excellence.

RENKUS-HEINZ

UBX Series

he UBX Series from Renkus-Heinz is a multi-awardwinning family of passive column loudspeakers. Powered by new Passive UniBeam Technology, the UBX Series brings Renkus-Heinz’s industry-leading expertise in beam-steerable technology into the realm of passive arrays, creating more opportunities to craft the perfect sound solution for stadiums, training facilities, and other spaces where both durability and sound quality are key.

TInnovation in Steering Technology

Utilizing the same complex beam-steering algorithms from RenkusHeinz’s flagship Iconyx columns, the UBX Series’ new Passive UniBeam Technology delivers pristine sound and consistent coverage with minimal distortions or side lobe artifacts. By implementing steered array technology into a compact passive column, the UBX Series offers a new way to meet the unique needs of diverse projects with the power, performance and intelligibility that have made Renkus-Heinz

an industry leader for decades — all without compromising on precise coverage or sleek design.

Even with the loudspeakers’ small, unobtrusive size, the UBX Series offers big, high-quality sound with consistent front-to-back coverage due to Renkus-Heinz’s new Passive UniBeam Technology. All models in the UBX Series are pre-steered: The hardware addresses each transducer with specially designed all-pass filter networks, gain shading and frequency filtering in order to generate a fixed, asymmetrical vertical lobe with constant directivity and downward bias. Put simply, Renkus-Heinz’s Passive UniBeam Technology optimizes the array for precise, consistent coverage and speech intelligibility, delivering crisp, clear sound to everyone in the audience area. “UBX Series is the culmination of 20 years of beam-steering engineering and experience,” said Brandon Heinz, product manager at Renkus-Heinz. “Our Passive UniBeam Technology is a perfect fit for reverberant or open spaces needing high speech intelligibility and directivity.”

Clear and Reliable, Rain or Shine

The UBX Series is engineered for utmost discretion and durability. Each passive column is housed in a slender, unobtrusive cabinet that can be mounted flush to the wall with the included pannable wallbracket, ensuring the system blends smoothly into the space with minimal architectural intrusion. The UBX Series is also weather-resistant (IP64) right out of the box: Heavy-duty aluminum extrusions and weather-sealed gland nut input pockets protect the system from dust and water from any direction. The UBX Series is also EN 54 certified, designed according to the EU’s stringent standards for voice alarm systems to ensure reliable, intelligible sound even during emergencies. With additional resistance to chlorine, extreme salt, and UV light, UBX Series loudspeakers will look as good as they sound for years to come.

Flexible and Easy to Integrate

Available in black or white, the UBX Series family of passive columns includes three models: the UBX4, UBX8 and UBX16. Featuring highquality, low insertion loss transformers for 70V/100V constant voltage

operation in large, distributed audio systems, the UBX Series is also perfect as delay or fill loudspeakers. Combined with the narrow cabinet and thorough weather-proofing, the Passive UniBeam Technology of the Renkus-Heinz UBX Series is ready to deliver ultimate sound performance with maximal coverage and longevity— and minimal intrusion to the venue.

UBX passive column loudspeakers are designed to be surfacemounted plumb to the wall with zero degrees of additional downward angle, making them more cost-effective than flying or re-hanging a line array and much easier to blend into the background of a space’s architecture. When mounted at the recommended height of 6-8 feet above finished floor, consistent coverage is expected at distances up to 160 feet (depending on the model). The pre-steered beams require fewer loudspeakers for adequate audience coverage than competitive passive column loudspeakers, resulting in lower installation costs and reduced architectural intrusion. An optional pan/tilt wall bracket is available for installations requiring the column loudspeaker to be

Beam-Steered Clarity, Passive Column Price

The UBX Series delivers precise, intelligible audio through tight vertical dispersion and constant directivity, even in high-traffic spaces or areas with high ceilings or challenging acoustics. Where traditional loudspeakers deliver muffled or distorted audio due to the shape and size of a venue, the UBX Series ensures everyone in the building can clearly hear announcements, presentations and background music.

By applying renowned steered array technology to a compact passive column, the UBX Series offers new ways to meet the unique needs of many projects with the power, performance and intelligibility that have made Renkus-Heinz an industry leader for decades.

Use Case: Haras National du Pin

Recently, UBX Series passive column loudspeakers were the sound system of choice for the newly constructed outdoor training and competition facilities at the International Equestrian Sports Center at the Haras National du Pin in France. The center is intended to host all manners of equestrian competitions, and equestrian staff contacted

local integrator AUVISYS to design an audio system for the sports center and fields. Two UBX8 loudspeakers from Renkus-Heinz were installed at each of the larger competition fields and one at each smaller field to communicate effectively with riders.

“The main challenge was throwing sound a long distance from a low elevation of 1.5 meters from the ground,” said Etienne Berard, CEO of French AV distributor DEMOA. “That may not seem significant until you understand that two of the competition fields are 120 x 60 meters and the others are 100 x 50 meters. The loudspeakers also had to be small so that they wouldn’t block the sightlines of the judges or audience members. UBX loudspeakers were perfect on both fronts.”

The equestrian staff was thrilled with the power and speech intelligibility of the UBX Series, which outperformed competitive offerings in both price and capabilities.

“The speech intelligibility across the wide fields was fantastic,” said Berard. “But the fact that it came from passive column loudspeakers was nothing short of astonishing.”

renkus-heinz.com

mounted higher than eight feet while maintaining optimal coverage.

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TASKER

CPR Cables for 2024

With the advent of CPR legislation, Tasker has once again responded to market demands by expanding its range of medium-risk class cables (Cca). In 2024, Tasker proudly introduces 15 new products, all meticulously designed to meet the most advanced homologations required globally.

Crafted with cutting-edge construction materials, these cables are engineered to excel in both indoor and outdoor installations while maintaining their inherent flexibility and softness.

Tasker has bolstered its speaker cable lineup with five new models, catering to diverse needs. Among them are two-conductor models like the TSK406 CPR Cca 2x6.00 mm² and the TSK408 CPR Cca 2x8.00 mm². Additionally, Tasker introduces two four-conductor models, including the TSK502 CPR Cca 4x1.50 mm² and the TSK504 CPR Cca 4x4.00 mm². For those seeking even more versatility, there’s the eight-conductor TSK604 CPR Cca 8x4.00 mm² model.

In the realm of audio, Tasker presents a new range of digital multipair cables. Starting from the TSK902 CPR Cca 2x2x0.22 mm², the range expands to include the TSK904

CPR Cca, TSK908 CPR Cca, and TSK912 CPR Cca, offering 4, 8, and 12 pairs respectively.

Recognising the growing demand for video applications, Tasker introduces a range of cables tailored for this sector.

The TSK1078 CPR Cca, TSK1079 CPR Cca, and TSK1080 CPR Cca are specifically engineered for 12G-SDI video signals at 4K resolution, with varying distances of 60m, 80m, and 100m respectively.

Looking ahead, Tasker remains dedicated to continuous research and development. By creating custom productions and anticipating emerging technologies, Tasker strives to provide tailored solutions for individual customers while staying at the forefront of industry advancements. With a steadfast commitment to innovation, Tasker ensures that its products not only meet the demands of today, but also anticipate the needs of tomorrow.

tasker.it

BSS

Soundweb OMNI Series

HARMAN Professional Solutions, the global leader in audio, lighting, video and control systems, announced its new BSS Soundweb OMNI Series - the next generation in open architecture digital signal processing.

Featuring the most powerful processor ever from BSS, Soundweb OMNI caters to the diverse needs of hospitality, large venues, corporate, education and government installations. The Soundweb OMNI family combines enterprise-grade processors, flexible I/O expanders, Dante/AES67 networked audio, an onboard scripting engine developed by AMX, and a vast library of processing objects, including media playback, AEC, VoIP, and more.

The platform is seamlessly managed through AVX Architect and AVX Control, an all-new software suite, built from the ground up to support the latest installed products from HARMAN Professional starting with BSS Soundweb OMNI, ushering in a new era of installed AV software at HARMAN.

Soundweb OMNI is designed to meet the specific requirements of AV system designers, integrators, and end users, while removing the pain points often found in traditional system design. It combines purpose-built hardware with intuitive software that offers the flexibility of centralized or distributed DSP, allowing system designers to choose the appropriate topology for any installation.

BSS’s commitment to supporting control system programmers is reinforced through the introduction of HControl, a human-readable, standards-based, and developer-friendly API. Soundweb OMNI also supports both 48kHz and 96kHz processing, exemplifying BSS’s commitment to audio fidelity.

Soundweb OMNI features two flagship processing devices, the 512p and 256p, which deliver exceptional DSP power and high Dante/ AES67 channel counts, up to 512x512 at 96kHz. This surpasses previous generations and positions Soundweb OMNI to effortlessly meet today’s complex demands while remaining future-ready for

tomorrow’s AV/IT needs.

Soundweb OMNI also offers two I/O expansion devices, the 32e and 16e, which provide unparalleled I/O flexibility. Each audio I/O port is “format configurable” as either analog or stereo AES3 digital. Furthermore, certain audio I/O ports and all GPIO ports are “direction configurable” as either inputs or outputs - all easily managed through software on an individual port basis.

The AVX software suite streamlines the configuration, control, and monitoring of Soundweb OMNI systems through two user-friendly applications. AVX Architect is a desktop software app for system diagramming, device configuration, network management, and custom UI design. AVX Architect allows users to add an unlimited number of processors and expanders to a single project file, while still enjoying the simplicity of a true, single canvas for device configuration. AVX Control is a lightweight software app, which provides easy access to custom UIs for controlling and monitoring devices across a multitude of platforms, including Windows, iOS, Android, and AMX Varia touch panels. These custom UIs work not only with Soundweb OMNI devices, but also Crown DCi amplifiers and previous generation Soundweb London devices, thanks to protocol-bridging technology developed by AMX.

“BSS has set the standard for signal processing innovation with legendary products that have driven some of the world’s most prestigious installations,” said Phil Scobee, Director of Installed Audio for HARMAN Professional Solutions. “As the new standard in open architecture DSP, Soundweb OMNI builds upon that legacy to advance signal processing and maximize system design potential for system designers, integrators, and end users.”

bssaudio.com

CONFIGURE. CONNECT. CONTROL.

The all-new Soundweb OMNI Series epitomizes the next generation in open architecture digital signal processing and is infinitely scalable to support the diverse requirements of installed applications. It combines enterprise-grade DSP, flexible I/O expansion devices, networked audio and distribution and integrated media playback managed via AVX Architect and Control unified software suite. The Soundweb OMNI series are available in four options including: 512p, 256p Open Architecture Digital Signal processors and 32e and 16e Analog and AES3 I/O Expanders. Learn more at bssaudio.com.

OPEN ARCHITECTURE DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSORS ©

FULLY COMPATIBLE WITH AVX

ARCHITECT & CONTROL SOFTWARE SUITE

FOR WINDOWS, APPLE, IOS, ANDROID, AND AMX DEVICES

DYNACORD

V600:2

Dynacord, one of the leading manufacturers of professional audio electronics, is pleased to announce the introduction V600:2, a new member of its V Series family of commercial amplifiers. With a total output capacity of 600 watts, this ultra-compact two-channel amplifier is not only tailored for background music and announcements but also excels whenever higher SPL levels in small to mid-sized fixed installations are required, including educational facilities, hospitality venues, retail areas and houses of worship.

Enhancing the installation versatility, integrators can now mix and match different V Series models to precisely meet their specific project requirements. With the same premium features and Dynacord technologies on board as the four-channel model V600:4, the V600:2 offers optimal installation flexibility, superior power efficiency and advanced reliability.

powerTANK technology adds flexible power allocation, acting as a power reservoir. With direct access to the total power of 600 watts, the V600:2 can deliver asymmetric power across all channels as needed.

Dynacord’s patented VLD (Variable Load Drive) technology allows the amplifier channels to be driven at 4 ohms, 8 ohms, 70 V or 100 V without affecting output power.

Overall power consumption is significantly reduced with ecoRAIL, conserving energy and lowering ownership costs. APD (Auto Power Down) further improves energy consumption by automatically

powering down the amplifier when no audio signal is present. dualCOOL ensures silent operation for applications in quiet environments, while a built-in multi-stage fan is activated under extreme thermal conditions. The proven PFC (Power Factor Correction) – together with a sophisticated protection package usually only found in high-end professional amplifiers – maintains flawless and reliable performance, even under demanding conditions.

At just a single rack unit high and half a rack width wide, the V600:2 offers a multitude of installation options wherever space is limited. The included brackets facilitate single or dual rack-mount options as well as unobtrusive installation wherever needed, such as under counters.

Two amplifiers fit in a single rack unit when rack-mounted side by side, efficiently using space and doubling the channel count and output power.

The V600:2 combines best-in-class features at a very attractive price, making it the perfect choice for anyone looking for an eco-friendly, robust and versatile amplifier that is quick to install and runs troublefree.

electrovoice.com

TERRAPLAS

For more than 30 years, Terraplas has been at the forefront of developing and producing temporary flooring systems that safeguard high-quality stadium turf. Renowned globally, Terraplas offers venues the opportunity to maximise revenue streams by hosting a wide range of non-sporting events while preserving top-quality playing surfaces.

From natural to hybrid and artificial turf, Terraplas products are versatile, providing both indoor and outdoor solutions for various event needs. Whether it’s heavy-duty use or accommodating pedestrian traffic, Terraplas ensures stadiums can seamlessly transition from sports events to concerts and beyond.

At the heart of Terraplas’ mission is the commitment to deliver the highest quality turf protection and driveable stadium access systems, enabling venues to achieve maximum return on investment. With a focus on innovation and excellence, Terraplas ensures fast turnaround times from grass field to alternative surfaces, all while maintaining top-quality playing conditions.

Pioneers in Turf Protection

In the late 1980s, Wembley Stadium faced the challenge of hosting numerous concerts without compromising its grass turf. Traditional methods like heavy matting and plywood proved detrimental to the grass. Terraplas stepped in with a revolutionary system that not only protected the turf but also left it playable after events. Collaborating with pitch specialists and event organizers at Wembley, Terraplas pioneered a system ideally suited to safeguarding

quality stadium turf.

London’s Wembley Stadium stands as a testament to Terraplas’ effectiveness. Since the delivery of their original system in 1991, Terraplas has remained the gold standard for turf protection. Despite imitations, none can match the performance or longevity of Terraplas products. Trusted worldwide, our solutions protect natural, hybrid, or artificial turf at multipurpose stadiums from the rigors of mass events, ensuring the pitch remains pristine and unaffected by spectators, heavy stages, cranes, or forklifts.

Why Choose Terraplas?

Innovative Design:

Crafted from natural High-Density Polyethylene, Terraplas products boast superior strength and longevity. Specially designed webbing ensures maximum durability, while optional patented circular feet minimize ground disturbance, reducing labor costs.

Continued Grass Growth:

Terraplas’ translucent tiles allow light to pass through, facilitating photosynthesis even while the grass is covered. Raised air holes promote ventilation and moisture control, ensuring the health of the turf without the need for constant watering.

Safety & Reliability:

Integrated anti-slip surfaces and interlocking mechanisms guarantee safety and stability. With proven product lifespans exceeding 30 years, Terraplas offers reliability and peace of mind to its customers.

Peace of Mind:

Backed by a 30-year guarantee against UV degradation and a 5-10 year warranty, Terraplas products provide long-term reassurance, ensuring customer satisfaction.

Continued Growth for 2024

An exiciting announcement to kick off the New Year: Terraplas has been awarded the prestigious London Stadium tender. Terraplas will be supplying 9,000m² of Terratrak Plus to the venue in Spring 2024, aligning with the busy event calendar.

Alex brings a wealth of experience and strategic vision to the company. Joining as Global Business Director in 2020 amidst global challenges, Alex’s leadership has been pivotal in steering Terraplas through uncertain times.

Prior to joining Terraplas, Alex held the position of International Sales for an Equestrian business, providing construction and surfacing solutions for equestrian racetracks worldwide. This diverse background equipped Alex with insights into markets and industries with synergies to stadium operations, laying the foundation for her success at Terraplas.

In 2023, following the retirement of the Founder and Chairman of Terraplas, Alex was promoted to General Manager, taking over the full management of the company on behalf of the USA Justrite Group. Under her leadership, Terraplas has seen significant growth,

including the establishment of a new manufacturing plant in the USA, serving the Americas and the Northern Hemisphere.

With a commitment to excellence and innovation, Alex continues to lead Terraplas into the future, solidifying its position as the leading turf protection product globally. As the company expands and evolves, it remains dedicated to delivering highquality products and service, ensuring stadiums worldwide can host diverse events while preserving top-quality playing surfaces.

Alex Goldsack, General Manager, Terraplas

Take your stadium from cost centre to profit centre

With over 30 years experience in the design and manufacture of the world’s most widely used temporary event flooring, Terraplas® products are the ultimate solution.

A wide range of turf protection suitable for heavy duty vehicles to pedestrian use. We can create a customized flooring system to suit your specific site requirements, offering an outstanding floor for concert guests and the ideal work surface for production and operations staff and vehicles.

Mykonos 7th-10th May