Industry update: more on sustainability, construction and fan experience

Read more on the waste management plan of Croke Park, a new training centre for FC Metz, a chatbot for PSV fans, a fan zone trial for the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ etc. in this short industry update by ESSMA.

SMART & Sustainability

• As part of its sustainability and waste management plan to phase out disposable plastics, Croke Park served hot beverage in vegetable-based plastics during the Leinster Rugby game last weekend. The cups will be disposed of in the stadium’s organic waste streams, where they will be composted and made available to the local community gardens. The next step in the venue’s sustainability plan is to phase out all plastics from its bars and concessions unit.

Construction & Development

• FC Metz have unveiled the design of their new training centre. The project will be constructed in three phases. Phase 1 will focus on the facilities of the first team including pitches, gym, etc. During phase 2, they will develop facilities for the youth teams and the women’s team. Phase 3 will consists of further developing the training centre with accommodation for the players.
• The training sites being constructed for the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ are on track to be completed by the end of 2019. Due to the Qatar’s compactness, all teams would train on the same venue throughout the tournament.

Safety & Security

• The Swedish Football League (Svensk Elitfotboll) have organised part two of its annual SLO workshop. The session focussed on CPR training and how to further develop the role of SLO’s. As the SLO’s are the closest to the football fans, the Swedish Football League are involving them more in the decision-making process. 

Fan Experience

• The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy will open a 2018 FIFA World Cup fan zone at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena to give people a taste of the atmosphere they can expect when Qatar will host the next edition of the FIFA World Cup™ in 2022.
• PSV introduces a chatbot for its fans. With the PSV FANbot fans will be kept up-to-date with the latest PSV news via Facebook Messenger. 
• CAFE (Centre for Access to Football in Europe) and FIFA have published a Spectator's Accessibility Guide for disabled fans attending the 2018 FIFA World Cup™. The guide includes information on how to reach each of the host stadiums, as well as information on the accessible facilities and services that will be available on each matchday 
• Amazon made a deal with the Premier League for the rights of 20 livestream matches per season including mid-week matches and during a bank holiday weekend. For the upcoming three seasons, fans will be able to watch matches on Sky, BT and Amazon.

Stadium Partner news

• Signify (former Philips Lighting) lighting systems are integrated in 10 out of the 12 venues for this summer’s soccer tournament in Russia including Luzhniki Stadium, Krestovsky Stadium and Ekaterinburg Arena. Lighting systems used include stadium façades and LED pitch lighting.

General news

• North America (Canada, Mexico and the US) have won the bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. It will be the first World Cup™ to host 48 teams instead of 32 teams. Of the 80 matches in total, the US will host 60 matches while Mexico and Canada will both host 10 matches.