Following a busy year in the design and development space, TheStadiumBusiness.com highlights the major stadium and arena project openings to keep an eye on in 2025.
Kai Tak Sports Park
With the test events schedule now well underway, Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) is on course for a full opening in the first quarter of the year as Hong Kong’s first multi-purpose sports, entertainment and leisure precinct. Headlined by a 50,000-seat Main Stadium, the wider KTSP complex will also feature the 5,000-capacity Youth Sports Ground and a 10,000-capacity Kai Tak Arena.
At the tail end of November, Hong Kong property development group New World Development concluded a deal to sell its entire stake in the KTSP project to its parent company, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises.
Everton Stadium
Already looming large on the River Mersey waterfront in Liverpool, Everton started work on its new 52,888-capacity home in August 2021 and the Premier League football club is due to move into the venue ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Everton is currently playing its final campaign at Goodison Park, its home since 1892, and received an early Christmas present on December 19 as it was revealed it will move into its new stadium under new ownership after The Friedkin Group (TFG) completed its takeover. On the following day, Everton formally took control of the facility at Bramley-Moore Dock.
Spotify Camp Nou
While a precise date is yet to be confirmed, FC Barcelona is set to end its exile at Estadi Olímpic Lluis Companys in the early months of 2025. The Spanish LaLiga club has been playing at the venue since the start of the 2023-24 season whilst major redevelopment work is carried out at Spotify Camp Nou.
Barcelona’s return home will be staggered, with the first phase to see the stadium operate at around 60% of its expected final capacity, which will equate to around 65,000 fans. Camp Nou had a capacity of 99,000 before the renovation project and will be able to seat around 105,000 fans once the work is fully complete as the centrepiece of the wider Espai Barça project.
Roig Arena
Staying in Spain, the city of Valencia will be the setting for one of two major new arena openings in Europe for 2025. Designed by HOK and local architecture practice ERRE Arquitectura, Roig Arena will be able to accommodate up to 18,600 spectators for concerts, which would make it the largest arena in Spain ahead of Madrid’s WiZink Center, which is rebranding as Movistar Arena in 2025.
In November, it was revealed that Spanish tycoon Juan Roig had taken full control of the venue named in his honour. Licampa 1617, a holding company owned by Roig, acquired 100% of the shares for the venue after purchasing Arena Alive SL’s remaining stake in facility operator Valencia 5 Estrellas.
CTS Eventim Arena
Milan’s CTS Eventim Arena will have a capacity of up to 16,000 and will be Italy’s largest indoor venue when it opens its doors by the end of 2025. CTS Eventim, and design team David Chipperfield Architects and Arup, commenced work in earnest on the project in November 2023.
The venture seeks to not only create a new landmark for Milan, but also boost Italy’s sports and live entertainment scene. It will open in time to host ice hockey and para ice hockey competitions during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
