Arsenal are considering an expansion of the Emirates Stadium which would bring the facilities up to the standard of other world-class venues in the Premier League.
The Emirates has been one of the best stadiums in the United Kingdom since it opened in 2006, but there is undoubtedly scope for improvement.
The Emirates Pales in Comparison to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
The Emirates and Tottenham Hotspur Stadiums were designed by the same firm – Populous. However, the latter venue has set the benchmark for modern stadium designs.
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is a jaw-dropping masterpiece featuring cutting-edge facilities and a fan-first approach.
The stadium has all the modern technology it needs to improve the matchday experience for fans as opposed to the almost moribund design of the Emirates.
Populous representative Christopher Lee has admitted that things have moved on since they designed the Emirates, a point evidenced by the firm’s work elsewhere.
Populous Upgrades at Suncorp Stadium Blaze the Trail
Aside from their work on the Emirates and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Populous also revamped the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.
It boasts top-class facilities including a hugely reliable Wi-Fi network installed by Populous that fans use to improve their stadium experience.
They can stay connected to live commentary, engage with social media and wager on Australian betting sites during the game.
The top 10 betting sites in Australia are always inundated with wagers from punters looking to profit from their knowledge of the games played at the stadium.
By contrast, the mediocre Wi-Fi at the Emirates Stadium has annoyed fans looking to keep track of scores from other matches, post on social media or bet on the matches.
If Populous is involved in the proposed Arsenal expansion plans, they must make improving the Wi-Fi network at the Emirates a priority.
Why Arsenal Must Quickly Expand the Emirates
Besides the need to modernise the stadium, Arsenal must increase the capacity significantly to accommodate more fans.
Arsenal’s waiting list for season tickets has almost 100,000 fans. The Gunners are now Premier League title contenders and more supporters want to attend the games.
Arsenal’s Women’s team also pulls in large crowds in the Women’s Super League, with fans packing out the Emirates to watch them compete for glory.
Manchester City has started upgrading its Etihad Stadium to welcome the influx of fans eager to watch them conquer the Premier League. They have spent £300 million to increase the capacity from 54,000 to 62,000.
City have not invested in aesthetics. They have incorporated designed changes to improve the fan experience, and Arsenal must take a leaf out of their book.
Engineering and Local Considerations
Expanding the Emirates will be a tricky project. There are numerous elements to factor, and it may take several years to formulate a suitable design.
For example, the Emirates is designed with a polycarbonate roof, making it especially difficult to insert additional seats into the stands.
Some experts have suggested including new rows in the upper tier or lowering the pitch level as HKS Inc did at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, but the cost of this would be eye-watering.
The SoFi Stadium consumed a whopping $7 billion. Tottenham’s stadium cost up to $1.2 billion, and they have spent years looking for a partner to buy its naming rights.
KSE subsidiary StadCo LA, LLC. Have started the process to purchase the Emirates Stadium home of Arsenal Football Club.
StadCo LA own the Sofi Stadium Stockbrige Capital Group . The company owns and operates the home of LA Rams and LA Chargers .
The purchase has been made… pic.twitter.com/ddXRewgYn6
— Arteta’s Red Army #ArsenalFanaticsNews (@Arsenal23Wenger) June 29, 2024
New Manchester United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly earmarked $2bn to refurbish Old Trafford. These projects demand world-class engineering expertise and deep funding pockets.
There are also other critical factors to consider, such as transport links and other elements of the local community infrastructure.
Islington Council and Transport for London need to be engaged in discussions about the development to ensure all elements are given thorough consideration.
Holloway Road Underground Station and Drayton Park Railway Station are closed on match days, which creates a logistical headache for the local authorities.