2022 in review – April

In April, Russia lost its latest major sporting event after its invasion of Ukraine, with the International Ice Hockey Federation removing its 2023 World Championship from Saint Petersburg.

Russia had been planning to host the Championship in two arenas in Saint Petersburg. The IIHF Council took the decision “out of concern” for the safety and wellbeing of all participating players, officials, media and fans.

Meanwhile, Victoria was announced as the host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with the event to be held in five towns and cities across the Australian state.

The 100,000-capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground will stage the opening ceremony in March 2026, while venues in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland will also host events. It will mark the first-ever multi-location Commonwealth Games.

April also saw Manchester United appoint Legends International and Populous to lead a team that will be tasked with creating a masterplan for the redevelopment of Old Trafford.

United’s aim is to significantly enhance the fan experience at the aging venue, with three options said to be under consideration, including a complete rebuild of the stadium.

Legends also secured a deal with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills to lead planning, project management, sales and partnerships for the team’s new $1.4bn (£1.2bn/€1.3bn) stadium, while Populous was chosen as the architect for a new 20,000-capacity venue in Munich that is set to become the first climate-neutral events arena in Germany.

Elsewhere in Manchester, ASM Global unveiled a £50m plan to transform AO Arena, with the revamp focusing on “state-of-the-art” infrastructure expansion and innovative guest features.

Meanwhile in France, Stade Brestois 29 and Brest Métropole unveiled eye-catching plans for a new 15,000-seat stadium for the French Ligue 1 football club.

The Espace Froutven project aims to deliver a stadium that has a multi-use remit. The venue has been designed by architecture firm Groupe François de La Serre.