Populous design US$1.1bn San Diego stadium as city bids to keep Chargers in town
The city of San Diego has put forward plans for a US$1.1bn (£749.6m, €1bn) “Super Bowl-ready” stadium in a bid to keep the National Football League (NFL) franchise the Chargers in the city.
Billed as a “sports entertainment complex” in the Mission Valley district of San Diego, the Populous-designed stadium would have a seating capacity of 67,500, extended to 73,000 for Super Bowl and special events. The 1.8m sq ft (162,580sq m) arena would house 65,000sq ft (6,781sq m) of video boards and 70,000sq ft (6,503sq m) of outdoor party decks. Multiple 360-degree concourses would create informal gathering spaces for spectators.
New renderings of the project have been released, revealing colour-changing LED lighting on the stadium’s maritime-influenced fabric canopy, as well as the largest end zone in the NFL.
The design reflects the geography of San Diego, with wind-powered kinetic skin wrapped around the stadium to create a fluid, shimmering form mimicking the waves of the California coastline. The interior seating bowl draws on the city's valleys, with fractures in the corners to allow views in and out of the stadium.
The city of San Diego has sent a 41-page document to the NFL Committee to put forward the case for the team remaining in the Californian city, despite efforts by Carson City Council to move the Chargers to Los Angeles, also in California.
The document, titled San Diego: A Premier Home for the NFL, revealed concrete details of the arena, which would be ready in time for the start of the 2019 season.
Funding for the project has been split into five segments: US$200m (£136.3m, €185.9m) will come from the city; US$150m (£102.2m, €139.4m) will be put forward by the county; US$200m (£136.3m, €185.9m) of G-4 loans from the NFL; US$187m (£127.4m, €173.8m) of personal seat licenses; US$363m (£247.4m, €337.3m) from corporate sponsors and naming rights.
The 32-strong NFL Committee will meet in Houston, Texas on 12 and 13 January to decide whether the San Diego Chargers, the Oakland Raiders or the St Louis Rams will make the move to LA. All three have submitted relocation requests for the start of the 2016 season.
Three-quarters (24) of the board, which comprises NFL franchise owners, must vote in favour of the respective plans for the proposals to go through.
However, the plans will only come to light if the NFL Committee decides that San Diego is the best home for the franchise. A joint venture – backed by Disney chief Bob Iger – to bring the Oakland Raiders and the Chargers to LA was unanimously approved by Carson City Council last April.
“For more than 50 years San Diego has proven to have the hallmarks of a great NFL city,” said mayor of San Diego, Kevin Faulconer. “Its strong market, growing economy and natural beauty continue to make it one of the most desirable destinations for NFL fans across the country.
“With the world-class stadium venue we propose, San Diego – with a fanbase distinct from Los Angeles and a regional market that has proven to bring economic prosperity to franchises – will continue to offer the opportunities to enhance the economic success of the Chargers and the NFL.”
NFL franchises battle for right to build stadium in Los Angeles
First look at Populous’ San Diego Chargers stadium
Los Angeles: Manica Architecture will design newly-approved Carson Stadium
Bas Smets brings water and wilderness to Vitra
'Data chocolate', dreams made real and artworks shaped by visitors’ emotions: Refik Anadol’s AI art museum launches in Los Angeles
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
