On Day One of the World Stadium Congress, the event, organised in partnership with the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, hosted a gala dinner and awards function, brought together leading industry professionals to recognise, celebrate and discuss integral, global stadia issues.
As part of the four-day event, a panel of judges comprising of Stadia Magazine editor Matt Ross and Sports and Stadium consultant Tim Brouw deliberated over the recognition of some of the world’s most accomplished architects, contractors, and subcontractors for their achievements in international projects.
The judges reviewed nominations in the following four categories: Architect of the Year, Innovative Solution of the Year, Stadium Contractor of the Year, and Stadium Design of the Year.
Heerim Architects & Planners picked up the Architect of the Year award, while Tecnovision were presented the Innovative Solution of the Year award.
Stadium Contractor of the Year was Tekfen Construction and Stadium Design of the Year was Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy.
On the second day of the event, keynote presentations were delivered by several industry experts including Richard Keys, Broadcaster and Journalist from beIN Sports. Keys’ presentation forecasted the evolution of broadcasting, as well as outlined the requirements for televising and commentating on the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.
Keith Dalton, Senior Match Operations Manager from UEFA, presented on the topic ‘Can You Create the Ultimate Stage?’ which focused on the steps and operations required to create and operate a large-scale event or tournament.
John Beattie, Stadium and Facilities Director from Arsenal Football Club, discussed a paper detailing the comprehensive Arsenalisation protocol – a process used by Emirates Stadium to reflect the culture, heritage and vision for the future for its host club, Arsenal FC.
Subsequent breakout sessions included interactive roundtable discussions called ‘Locker Rooms’ that focused on macro issues like stadium technology and modernity, to more technical concepts like textile membranes, façades and legacy.
Highlight sessions rounded up day two and included a Lusail Sports Arena case study from ASTAD’s Head of Sustainability, Sheikh Soud al-Thani, as well as a research-based paper titled ‘The Evolution of the Fan: What will the Fan Look like in 25 Years?’ by Arup’s Chris Dite and Amsterdam ArenA’s Sander van Stiphout.
As the congress came to a close, the event boasted an incomparable senior and diverse speaker attendance across all four days, functioning as a precursor to 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and other sport and stadia projects all across the world.

Sheikh Soud al-Thani, ASTAD’s Head of Sustainability, speaks on the impact of sport on society at the World Stadium Congress yesterday.