Scottish Rugby marks Murrayfield centenary with look to 2125

Scottish Rugby has set out how Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium could look in 2125 as the venue today (Friday) launches its centenary celebrations.

Scottish Rugby, and stadium naming rights-holder Scottish Gas, have commissioned applied futurist Tom Cheesewright to imagine the next 100 years of the venue. The full report produced by Cheesewright can be viewed here and looks to consider how Murrayfield will evolve to service the sports and events it hosts, the fans who visit, the city in which it exists – Edinburgh – and the wider environment.

The report considers three scenarios – climate focus and energy transition, accelerated technology and sport nation. It’s predicted that Murrayfield could shift from a net energy consumer into an ‘energy bank’ for the local community, including hugely advanced solar panels that turn non-visible light into energy.

This pursuit of a cleaner economy in Scotland is expected to accelerate this energy transition at the stadium, building on the work that Scottish Gas is already doing to both decarbonise the Murrayfield Estate and to support grassroots clubs with its Community and Club Net Zero Fund. More highlights from the report include:

• ‘Space mirrors’ that would allow light from the sun to be redirected and focused to light up the pitch on demand, creating a daytime effect just for the area required, at any time of the day or night.
• Fitting segments of the pitch with powerful robotic legs that would allow it to stand up and walk away, while alternative surfaces walk in for different sports and events.
• Landing pads around the stadium that will allow fans to arrive by aerotaxi.
• Robots rolling through tunnels in the stand construction to deliver food and drink.
• Creating an instantly ‘transformable stadium’ that uses “artificial muscles” and lightweight alloys to rapidly convert stands into more intimate concert venues with steeply banked seating, or conversely to allow the stands to extend out and create extra seating and spaces for bigger events.
• Hosting of new sports that combine futuristic gameplay with real athleticism, such as VR-controlled robot wrestling, or pedal-powered drone racing.

Gerry Devine, Scottish Rugby’s head of stadium operations, said: “Scottish Gas Murrayfield has been at the heart of Scottish Rugby for a century, so seeing the futurist cast his expert eye forward another hundred years is really exciting.

“It helps us imagine new ways to both protect our planet and identify new opportunities to enhance our supporter experience, for whom Murrayfield must remain synonymous with quality and a great day out.

“Our focus is on meeting today’s demands and tomorrow’s challenges. Operating our iconic stadium requires constant investment, innovation, and care, embracing the technology we currently have at our disposal.

“Murrayfield has always been prepared to innovate, including the famed electric blanket that was a first when installed in the 1950s. We’re already working hard to upgrade water systems, replace key infrastructure, and improve energy efficiency.

“I’m sure the futurist’s vision will inspire supporters – the ideas for Murrayfield to power its local community are certainly worthy of further conversation.”

Cheesewright added: “Stadiums are the venue for some of the most powerful shared human experiences. So to imagine the future of Scottish Gas Murrayfield is really about imagining the future of human experience and how it might be transformed by time – and technology.

“How we power these experiences, and every other aspect of our lives, is one of the defining issues of our day, so this has been a deeply engaging – and enjoyable – project. I’m really excited about some of the futures we have seen, from the practical to the fantastical, from a stadium that provides power to the community, to one that transforms like a giant robot.”

Centenary celebrations

Scottish Rugby, which owns and operates the stadium, in November confirmed its long-term future lies at Murrayfield, setting out its vision for redevelopment work that could include an on-site hotel. Murrayfield has been the governing body’s home since opening in 1925, but with its last major renovations coming three decades ago it requires improvement work.

Meanwhile, in December, Elior UK teamed up with Scottish Rugby to launch The Murrayfield Experience, a new hospitality and events brand positioning the stadium as a year-round destination.

Murrayfield’s history began with its inaugural match on March 21, 1925, when Scotland defeated England 14-11 to secure its first Grand Slam. A century on, the venue has hosted more than 300 international matches, including Rugby World Cup fixtures and the British & Irish Lions. It has also held over 30 concerts for global music superstars such as U2, Madonna, One Direction, Oasis and most recently, Taylor Swift.

From June to December 2024, events held at Murrayfield are said to have generated £120.4m (€143.8m/$155.8m) economic value to Scotland. To mark the official centenary day, Scottish Rugby will today bring together legends of yesteryear, stars of today and the future of the sport, commencing with a Parade of Legends.

The Scottish Gas Rugby Festival will see more than 200 children from all regions of the country offered the opportunity to play mini matches on the international pitch, receive a behind the scenes tour of the stadium and take part in gym-based activities.

Scottish Rugby is also encouraging fans to get involved by sharing their own Murrayfield memories on the Murrayfield100 webpage.