#TDA23 Awards: Meet the Finalists

After sifting through a record number of entries, TheStadiumBusiness is delighted to unveil the shortlisted finalists for the fifth annual Design & Development Awards (#TDA23).

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

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

DESTINATION AWARD

A new award for 2023 that 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 2023 shortlisted finalists are:

• NBA Park in Gramado (Brazil)
• Miami Grand Prix upgrades (USA)
• Workers Stadium revamp (China)
• Tennis Paradise: The Indian Wells Tennis Garden (USA)
• National Athletics Centre (Hungary)
• District E powered by Ticketmaster, Capital One Arena (USA)

FAÇADE & EXTERIOR AWARD

This new 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 2023 shortlisted finalists are:

• Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium – Big Lotus (China)
• State Farm Stadium’s new approach for Super Bowl LVII (USA)
• Santiago Bernabeu’s remodelled exterior / Real Madrid FC (Spain)
• Bramley Moore Dock brickwork / Everton FC (UK)
• Emirates Stadium wrap / Arsenal FC (UK)
• LED Exosphere at the Sphere, Las Vegas (USA)

INDUSTRY PARTNER AWARD

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

Our 2023 shortlisted finalists are:

• WJHW, a PMY company
• Fenwick Iribarren Architects
• Forward Associates
• DigiLED
• Forum by Nowy Styl
• AiFi

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 2023 shortlisted finalists are:

• Distributed Line Array Sound System at Crypto.com Arena (Anthony James Partners, USA)
• Graphics Experience at Parramatta Eels games (Light & Fury, Australia)
• Barça Immersive Tour at Spotify Nou Camp (Mediapro Exhibitions, Spain)
• LED Cube at Swiss Life Arena (Samsung Electronics, Switzerland)
• End Zone Screen at Gillette Stadium (Daktronics, USA)
• Interactive Activities at Paris La Défense Arena (Deezer, France)

CONCOURSE ACTIVATION AWARD

For too long our General Admission (GA) spaces have been overlooked or underserved. This new 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 2023 shortlisted finalists are:

• Lambeau Field’s Upper Concourse (USA)
• The Terrace View – Holte End at Villa Park (UK)
• Outfield District at Rogers Centre/Toronto BlueJays (Canada)
• FedExField sportsbook (USA)
• Coventry Building Society Arena’s microbrewery lounge (UK)
• Turf Moor’s Super Box (UK)

COMMUNITY PROJECT AWARD

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

Our 2023 shortlisted finalists are:

• Multi-faith prayer room at Melbourne Cricket Ground (Australia)
• Community facilities at Wiigulga Sports Complex (Australia)
• Recycle for Good at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (USA)
• Sensory room at Estádio Major Antônio Couto (Brazil)
• Dementia-friendly drive at Wembley Stadium (UK)
• NIL hub for students at Bryant-Denny Stadium (USA)

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; or Cost Savings.

Our 2023 shortlisted finalists are:

• Fanboni at Florida Panthers (USA)
• Water treatment at Forest Green Rovers (UK)
• Fire safety design process at Everton FC (UK)
• Pixellot S3 Automated Camera System (Global)
• Wings and Rooftops concept at Newcastle United (UK)
• Estadio de la Cerámica redevelopment (Spain)

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 2023 shortlisted finalists are:

• Hospitality at UBS Arena (USA)
• Amex Stadium Tunnel Club (UK)
• Concert Club and Vantage at RAC Arena (Australia)
• The Londoner Arena (Macau)
• Skyline at Edgbaston Stadium (UK)
• Sky Boxes at Udinese Calcio (Italy)

SUSTAINABILITY DELIVERED AWARD

Our new 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 2023 shortlisted finalists are:

• Reseating with Recycling at Deutsche Bank Park (Eintracht Frankfurt/Forum by Nowy Styl, (Germany)
• The modular, demountable ABBA Arena (AbbaVoyage / ES Global Ltd, UK)
• Solar initiative at Estádio D. Afonso Henriques (Vitoria Clube/Sustainable Energy Systems, (Portugal)
• Expansion of bicycle facilities at Allegiant Stadium (USA)
• Solar energy plant at Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor (SV Darmstadt 98/ENTEGA, Germany)
• Zero-Waste facilities at CityPark (St Louis City SC, USA)

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 2023 shortlisted entries are:

• RC Strasbourg (France)
• Nelson Mandela Stadium (Algeria)
• Gillette Stadium North End (USA)
• Es Con Field Hokkaido (Japan)
• Climate Pledge Arena (USA)
• BBBank Wildpark (Germany)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

Presented to an individual, team or organisation that has ‘moved the needle’ for our industry.

• No shortlist/Closed nomination (The winner is selected by TheStadiumBusiness.com team)

What’s Next?

• Press kits will go out to all shortlisters.
• Supporting evidence will be invited before the full Awards Briefing & Dossier is handed over to our 2023 Judging Panel.
• Representatives of all shortlisted entries will be invited as our guests to the Design & Development Awards presentation and Winners Party on the evening of 6 December during our 11th annual Design & Development Summit at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester.

More background on TheStadiumBusiness Design & Development Awards here. If you’re on the shortlists, then we’ll be in touch very soon. Congratulations to every project that made the shortlists – and good luck everyone!