- November 10, 2016
- Posted by: SportsV
- Categories: Home News, Industry News, News
On Friday October 7 2016, the Ahmedabad Stadium officially opened and the world’s first StadiArena exclusively hosted the Kabbadi World Cup (October 7-22), broadcast by Star Sports to 125 countries.
TransStadia – an official StadiArena licensee – delivered the stadium project in Ahmedabad, India, which is the first to use the patented StadiArena technology, which can convert an outdoor stadium into an indoor arena within 6 minutes, all at the push of a button.
A StadiArena representative said of the project:
Congratulations to TransStadia for delivering such a visionary and iconic venue, which sets the standards that others will follow.
This truly multi-purpose complex with its 47,000sqft StadiArena (the largest open space arena in India) will also become the best football stadium in India.
Depending on the overall size of the given venue, the technology – from U.K.-based StadiArena, founded by soccer industry stalwart Paul Fletcher – transforms an outdoor stadium to a fully enclosed indoor arena capable of seating anywhere between 2,000 to 20,000 for concerts, trade shows and other sports for which an indoor environment is required using the Company’s StadiDoor technology.
About StadiArena: From an outdoor stadium to an indoor arena in minutes
StadiArena grants licenses to use its unique and patented intellectual property, allowing stadium owners, developers and operators to create a truly multi-use venue by converting an outdoor stadium into an indoor arena; delivering an exciting new revenue stream.
Patended Technology
Traditionally, stadium buildings worldwide are of substantial negative feasibility owing to their limited day to day use. The ability to drive new and incremental revenues is hindered due to the requirements of the core sporting event, and the extensive lead times currently required to convert the stadium into a flexible and functional event location. However, the StadiArena product changes this model through the provision of a highly cost effective, innovative and worldwide patented solution that addresses the problems of legacy, revenue generation and under utilisation.
Due to the engineering complexities, there are currently no partitioning solutions in the world that are capable of sectioning off part of a stadium. The span of up to 28m would need considerable reinforcement for stadium partitioning to be safe in adverse weather conditions. On occasions curtains are used as a partition, but these are only operable in ‘roofed’ stadiums where the enclosed area isn’t exposed to the elements. StadiArena’s core components have a proven 30-year pedigree, providing a readymade solution for all conditions.
Achieved through the application of an existing technology (first developed in Sweden), StadiArena incorporates a hurricane-proof, hoist fabric door, now known as a StadiDoor – a form of which is currently used across the world. Once closed (within 6 minutes), this specialised, lightweight door transforms a stand into a fully enclosed permanent arena environment, creating a venue for numerous sporting and cultural events, thereby dramatically increasing the usability and financial viability of the stadium itself. By simply retracting the door (within 6 minutes), the stadium returns to its core sporting use.
Flexibility
Dependent upon the overall size of the stadium, the seating capacity of the StadiArena can be “flexed” to cater for an audience of 2,000 to 20,000. The solution has been designed by specialists in Stadia construction with consideration for the specific requirements of both the core sports utilising the external playing area and also the event users utilising the recently created internal arena (e.g. acoustics, heating, lighting, ventilation etc.). For example, the StadiDoor is located behind the touchline for football or dead ball line for rugby, so as not to interfere with the playing surface. The installation of StadiArena within a new build does not extend construction timescales and the return on investment can be within as little as 3 years, thereafter the positive revenue contributions can be used to offset the overall stadium construction costs.
Revenue & Legacy
StadiArena is a unique and robustly designed product, which not only enhances the profitability of successful stadia but also has the ability to transform potentially loss-making developments into sustainable enterprises.
The technology also addresses the legacy issues created by the construction of stadiums for specific events such as World Cups or Olympics. Post-competition, the stadium can now be used for a variety of sporting and non-sporting events, making it a true community facility. StadiArena believe that the commercial and fiscal efficiency of its product is such that from now on, its application should be seriously considered by all those professionally involved in the financing, construction and management of new stadia.
Licensees
StadiArena’s primary offering is to increase stadium utilisation from 5% to over 65% resulting in dramatic improvements in the economics of sporting clubs and venues, allowing owners to recoup their investment and operate profitably. The Company does this through the issuing of individual stadium licences or for multiple projects they establish a geographical territory licence, allowing their partners to utilise the patented technology. Throughout the business planning, design and construction stages, StadiArena work with their partners to deliver the best possible solution.
Images courtesy: StadiArena & TransStadia
