#TDA26 Awards: Meet the Finalists

After evaluating a record number of entries, TheStadiumBusiness is delighted to unveil the shortlisted finalists for the eighth annual Design & Development Awards (#TDA26).

Since 2017 these awards have recognised the best in venue design, development, construction and refurbishment across the global sports and entertainment sector.

Congratulations to the 2026 finalists in each of this year’s Categories:

DESTINATION AWARD

This award recognises the ‘sense of place’ for a sports or entertainment venue. Where have landscaping, access, wayfinding, theming and branding been integrated to create a complete destination within a venue’s locality?

Our 2026 shortlisted finalists are:

• • A Touring-first Stadium – Estadio GNP Seguros (Mexico City)
  • Champagne Lawn & Winners Podium – York Racecourse (York)
  • Irish Heritage – Laya Arena/RDS (Dublin)
  • Open for All – Jihlava Municipal Arena (Jihlava)
  • The City Destination – One New Zealand Stadium/Te Kaha (Christchurch/Ōtautahi)
  • The STACK at St. James’ Park/Newcastle United FC (Newcastle)

FAÇADE & EXTERIOR AWARD

This award highlights the most visually striking element of any venue: the façade, cladding or exterior wrap. Alongside the visual impact and uniqueness of design, the judging will also take into consideration serviceability, sustainability, durability, and cost-efficiency.

Our 2026 shortlisted finalists are:

• • Reflecting city landscapes – One New Zealand Stadium/Te Kaha (Christchurch/Ōtautahi)
  • The (Impossible) Floating Canopy – Acrisure Amphitheater (Grand Rapids)
  • The Papara Park light show – Trabzonspor Kulübü (Trabzon)
  • Parametric Palm Leaves – Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium (Rabat)
  • Pearl of the Orient – Kai Tak Sports Park (Hong Kong)
  • Champagne Lawn & Winners Podium – York Racecourse (York)

INDUSTRY PARTNER AWARD

Awarded to the architecture, design, engineering, or professional services firm that has provided consistently outstanding service to venue design and delivery.

Our 2026 shortlisted finalists are:

• • CAA ICON
  • Elliott Building & Civil Engineering
  • KSS
  • Layrd Design
  • Savills Planning
  • The Stadium Consultancy

AV FAN EXPERIENCE AWARD

Recognising the best use of integrated audio, video, display, digital sensor and/or control technology within or around a venue to engage fans and enhance their experience of an event or attraction.

Our 2026 shortlisted finalists are:

• • Connected AV Upgrades – DHL Stadium (Cape Town)
  • LED Display Transformation – The O2 Belfast (Belfast)
  • Marvel Stadium 365 Tour (Melbourne)
  • Pro Audio Transformation – National Stadium/The Kallang (Singapore)
  • Realmadrid Games immersive tour (Madrid)
  • A Stadium for Concerts – Coliseo GNP Seguros (Guadalajara)
  • Interactive & Curved – Riverside Market/Fulham FC (London)

CONCOURSE ACTIVATION AWARD

For too long our General Admission (GA) spaces have been overlooked or underserved. This award celebrates the project which has elevated the beating heart of any entertainment venue – its concourse – to a new level. Who’s put the ‘woohay’ into GA?

Our 2026 shortlisted finalists are:

• • ‘H Town’ at Accu Stadium – Huddersfield Town FC (Huddersfield)
  • The Pulse by Coca-Cola at Marvel Stadium (Melbourne)
  • The Frictionless Concourse – Utilita Arena (Birmingham)
  • Modelo Bridge at Barclays Center (New York)
  • Belk Concourse at Spectrum Center (Charlotte)
  • The Riverside Market at Fulham Pier (London)

COMMUNITY PROJECT AWARD

Recognising the design and delivery of a community-focused facility project in sports and entertainment.

Our 2026 shortlisted finalists are:

• • Community Values – One New Zealand Stadium/Te Kaha (Christchurch/Ōtautahi)
  • Ground Improvement Project – WACA Ground (Perth)
  • AO Farington Cricket Ground – Lancs Cricket (Lancashire)
  • Erlanger Park – Chattanooga Lookouts (Chattanooga)
  • The Street and Ballsaal at Millerntor Stadium/FC St Pauli (Hamburg)
  • The Entertainment Destination – Olympia London (London)
  • Parks and Rooftop Running – Jihlava Municipal Arena (Jihlava)

INNOVATION AWARD

Awarded to an organisation or product that has demonstrated genuine, industry-changing innovation. Consideration is given to step-change improvements in the following areas: sustainability, materials utilisation, ease of application, speed of construction, and cost savings.

Our 2026 shortlisted finalists are:

• • Engineering Complexity into Architectural Simplicity – Aramco Stadium (Al Khobar)
  • SLOTLIGHT Infinity at the Stadium of Light – Sunderland AFC (Sunderland)
  • Aquaflow closed-loop pitch sub-irrigation – Stade Jean-Bouin (Paris)
  • Cinema Lounges – Estádio José Alvalade/Sporting CP (Lisbon)
  • Transformed for FIBA World Cup – Al Janoub Arena (Al Wakra)
  • NHL Innovation Lab – Prudential Center (Newark)
  • adidas Originals Recording Studio, engineered by Abbey Road – Co-op Live (Manchester)

HOSPITALITY & PREMIUM AWARD

Recognising the best in design for a hospitality, VIP, sponsor or premium space within a venue. Consideration is given to design innovation, function, sustainability, purpose, and overall ‘wow’ factor. 

Our 2026 shortlisted finalists are:

• • The Street and Ballsaal – Millerntor Stadium/FC St Pauli (Hamburg)
  • 1901 Bar – Amex Stadium/Brighton & Hove Albion FC (Brighton)
  • Lion’s Corner Roche Bobois – Estádio José Alvalade/Sporting CP (Lisbon)
  • The Terrace – RAC Arena (Perth)
  • The Touchline – Emirates Stadium/Arsenal FC (London)
  • The Executive Suite – Weston Homes Stadium/Peterborough United FC (Peterborough)
  • Sæl Spa – Fulham Pier/Craven Cottage (London)

SUSTAINABILITY DELIVERED AWARD

Our Sustainability Delivered Award recognises projects that aim to be future-proof, but which have also been designed and delivered to reduce a venue’s overall impact on the environment in an exceptional way. 

Our 2026 shortlisted finalists are:

• • Solar Grandstand – Ascot Racecourse (Ascot)
  • Energy-efficient Floodlighting – DHL Stadium (Cape Town)
  • ‘Citylink’ Walking Route – Co-op Live (Manchester)
  • Batting for a Better Future – Lord’s Cricket Ground (London)
  • Embracing the 2030 Challenge – Acrisure Amphitheater (Grand Rapids)
  • Solar+Storage – Signal Iduna Park/BVB Stadium Management (Dortmund)

PROJECT OF THE YEAR

For a completed new-build – or expansion, modernisation or major capital enhancement project of an existing venue – that has delivered on all its goals and more.

Our 2026 shortlisted entries are:

• • One New Zealand Stadium/Te Kaha (Christchurch/Ōtautahi)
  • New Highmark Stadium – Buffalo Bills (New York)
  • Laya Arena (Dublin)
  • Acrisure Amphitheater (Grand Rapids)
  • Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
  • The Pep Guardiola Stand – Etihad Stadium (Manchester)
  • Jihlava Municipal Arena (Jihlava)

Congratulations to every project, team and endeavour that made the shortlists – your work has been recognised globally! Good luck, everyone!

What’s Next?

• • The Press Kit will be sent to all those parties on the shortlists.
  • Supporting evidence will be invited before the full Awards Briefing & Dossier is handed over to our 2026 Judging Panel.
  • Representatives of all shortlisted entries will be invited as our guests to the Awards Presentation and Winners Party on the evening of 1 December during our 15th annual TheStadiumBusiness Design & Development Summit at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester.

More background on TheStadiumBusiness Design & Development Awards here. Thanks to everybody who put in Nominations. Even if your entry didn’t make this year’s shortlist, your efforts have done some good. Through our Donations for Nominations programme you have helped raise over £750 to our charity partner EMERGENCY UK. If you’re on the shortlists, then we’ll be in touch very soon.