Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
London, England · 2016-2019 · £1.2 billion (final cost)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchMulti-purpose design: The stadium was designed to host football, NFL games, concerts, and other events, maximizing its utility. - Innovative pitch technology: The retractable pitch allows for quick conversion between different sports surfaces. - Focus on fan experience: Stands angled at 35 degrees to enhance atmosphere, and minimized distances between stands and pitch.
Key engineering challenges
Retractable pitch system: Designing the world's first dividing, retractable synthetic turf pitch, splitting into three sections and weighing over 3,000 tonnes per section. - Large single-tier South Stand: Eliminating columns to provide open concourses and optimal sightlines. - Integration of NFL facilities: Designing for both football and American football, including lowering the NFL field 1.6 meters below the natural turf. - Cost and delays: The project experienced significant cost increases and delays.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Tottenham Hotspur Football Club (THFC)
- Lead contractor
- Mace
- Lead designers
- Populous, Buro Happold (structural engineering), Schlaich Bergermann Partner (roof structure)
- Project type
- new build
- Scale
- Capacity: 62,850, Retractable natural grass pitch, Stands angled at 35 degrees, Largest LED screens in Premier League (>1,000m2)
- Disciplines
- Structural Engineering; Civil Engineering; Architecture; Geotechnical Engineering; Building Services Engineering
- Standards & frameworks
- UEFA Elite stadium standards; UK Building Regulations (implied)
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tottenham_Hotspur_Stadium; https://populous.com/showcases/tottenham-hotspur-football-club; https://www.ice.org.uk/what-is-civil-engineering/infrastructure-projects/tottenham-hotspur-stadium; https://www.istructe.org/structural-awards/projects/2019/new-tottenham-hotspur-stadium/