Barcelona FC target global dominance with €600m Espai Barça sports district
POSTED 02 Mar 2016 . BY Kim Megson
The New Palau Blaugrana will have a 10,000-seat arena, an auxiliary court for 2,000 spectators, an ice rink and a football academy Credit: FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona has unveiled new information about its ambitious plans to create “the most important sports project in Europe and the world.”
The club has revealed details of the financing, design and long-term vision for its €600m (US$651.9m, £467.4m) Espai Barça sports district ahead of a major announcement, expected this month, on the architecture team who will redevelop the Nou Camp into a “state-of-the-art, 105,000-capacity stadium that will be one of the very best in the world.”
The Espai Barça district will include the new-look Nou Camp alongside a 6,000-capacity UEFA category III Miniestadi for its youth teams – designed by Batlle i Roig Arquitectes. There will also be the New Palau Blaugrana – a multi-sports and concert arena created by US sports architects HOK and Spanish practice TAC Arquitectes.
In addition, new administrative buildings will be constructed, existing facilities will be reorganised and the club’s museum and shop will be expanded.
“The project will generate new opportunities for the our social and economic development, increase revenue and the value of the club’s assets, boost sponsorship, improve conditions for our athletes, recover architectural excellence, achieve environmental sustainability and create venues for a 21st century Barça,” said the club. “It reflects a trend shaping sports districts across the globe as they aim to generate activity 365 days a year.
“This is every Barça fan’s dream, one that will become a reality and a legacy to be enjoyed by future generations.”
The club added that funding will be generated for these projects “without affecting the club’s sports or its members.” It said that €200m (US$217.3m, £155.8m) will be raised in exchange for adding a name to the stadium and it will also receive a syndicated loan.
The highly flexible complex will comprise three areas that can operate independently: a 10,000-seat arena, an auxiliary court for 2,000 spectators, an ice rink with room for 800 spectators and a campus for the club’s football academy, FCB Escola.
The main sports hall, sat within a large bowl, will meet the requirements of basketball's Euroleague and will host matches for Barcelona FC’s basketball offshoot, FC Barcelona Lassa, from the 2019-2020 basketball season. A large LED screen on the lower portion of the stadium's rooftop will screen footage from games.
The court will feature 18 VIP boxes, two ‘skybars’ and configurable seating – all of which will allow the venue to host cultural events such as concerts.
“This site has tremendous potential,” added Daniel Hajjar, managing principal for HOK’s London office. “We look forward to working with the Barcelona City Council, the Barça technical teams, the residents of Barcelona and TAC Arquitectes to further develop and integrate our concept with the rest of the Espai Barça project and the city centre.”
Top 20 richest clubs in Europe worth £5bn+, says Deloitte POSTED 21 Jan 2016. BY Matthew Campelli The top 20 richest clubs in Europe broke the £5bn (€6.5bn) mark for the first time for
their combined revenues, with English Premier League teams accounting for almost half
the list.
Sachin Tendulkar and Cristiano Ronaldo team up for football entertainment centres POSTED 05 Jan 2016. BY Tom Walker Smaaash Entertainment, an Indian visitor attractions and sports company part-owned by cricket
legend Sachin Tendulkar, has recruited Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo to help establish football-
themed entertainment centres across the Middle East.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) will mark its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly
customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness
environments. [more...]
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
Barcelona FC target global dominance with €600m Espai Barça sports district
POSTED 02 Mar 2016 . BY Kim Megson
The New Palau Blaugrana will have a 10,000-seat arena, an auxiliary court for 2,000 spectators, an ice rink and a football academy Credit: FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona has unveiled new information about its ambitious plans to create “the most important sports project in Europe and the world.”
The club has revealed details of the financing, design and long-term vision for its €600m (US$651.9m, £467.4m) Espai Barça sports district ahead of a major announcement, expected this month, on the architecture team who will redevelop the Nou Camp into a “state-of-the-art, 105,000-capacity stadium that will be one of the very best in the world.”
The Espai Barça district will include the new-look Nou Camp alongside a 6,000-capacity UEFA category III Miniestadi for its youth teams – designed by Batlle i Roig Arquitectes. There will also be the New Palau Blaugrana – a multi-sports and concert arena created by US sports architects HOK and Spanish practice TAC Arquitectes.
In addition, new administrative buildings will be constructed, existing facilities will be reorganised and the club’s museum and shop will be expanded.
“The project will generate new opportunities for the our social and economic development, increase revenue and the value of the club’s assets, boost sponsorship, improve conditions for our athletes, recover architectural excellence, achieve environmental sustainability and create venues for a 21st century Barça,” said the club. “It reflects a trend shaping sports districts across the globe as they aim to generate activity 365 days a year.
“This is every Barça fan’s dream, one that will become a reality and a legacy to be enjoyed by future generations.”
The club added that funding will be generated for these projects “without affecting the club’s sports or its members.” It said that €200m (US$217.3m, £155.8m) will be raised in exchange for adding a name to the stadium and it will also receive a syndicated loan.
The highly flexible complex will comprise three areas that can operate independently: a 10,000-seat arena, an auxiliary court for 2,000 spectators, an ice rink with room for 800 spectators and a campus for the club’s football academy, FCB Escola.
The main sports hall, sat within a large bowl, will meet the requirements of basketball's Euroleague and will host matches for Barcelona FC’s basketball offshoot, FC Barcelona Lassa, from the 2019-2020 basketball season. A large LED screen on the lower portion of the stadium's rooftop will screen footage from games.
The court will feature 18 VIP boxes, two ‘skybars’ and configurable seating – all of which will allow the venue to host cultural events such as concerts.
“This site has tremendous potential,” added Daniel Hajjar, managing principal for HOK’s London office. “We look forward to working with the Barcelona City Council, the Barça technical teams, the residents of Barcelona and TAC Arquitectes to further develop and integrate our concept with the rest of the Espai Barça project and the city centre.”
Top 20 richest clubs in Europe worth £5bn+, says Deloitte POSTED 21 Jan 2016. BY Matthew Campelli The top 20 richest clubs in Europe broke the £5bn (€6.5bn) mark for the first time for
their combined revenues, with English Premier League teams accounting for almost half
the list.
Sachin Tendulkar and Cristiano Ronaldo team up for football entertainment centres POSTED 05 Jan 2016. BY Tom Walker Smaaash Entertainment, an Indian visitor attractions and sports company part-owned by cricket
legend Sachin Tendulkar, has recruited Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo to help establish football-
themed entertainment centres across the Middle East.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) will mark its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly
customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness
environments. [more...]
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
