Populous is an architectural firm specialized in the design of convention centers and sports facilities.

Tomorrow, the almighty Roma will take to the field in the new home of Tottenham. An absolute gem with over 62,000 seats that was inaugurated in 2019. The brand-new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been designed to curate an extraordinary atmosphere. With stands leaning at 35 degrees, fans are brought far closer to the field than in any other comparable modern stadium. This is the second largest stage in England after Old Trafford. The acoustic arrangement is inspired by concert halls, specifically designed to amplify the noise within the stadium, making the atmosphere even more immersive: Reflective panels, skillfully engineered on the underside of the roof, minimize the loss of crowd noise from the stadium’s bowl. The project has been entrusted to Populous, an architectural firm specializing in sports facilities, who is currently working on the Pietralata stadium. The final project submission is set for December and boasts the world’s largest South Curve. The American architectural firm has signed works even outside the world of football, such as the stunning Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai which hosts events and conferences. Turning back to Italy, they are also the minds behind the Oval Lingotto in Turin, a building that hosts ice skating and was constructed for the 2006 Winter Olympics in the Piedmontese capital. Turning their attention to basketball, Populous has left its prominent mark with the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The same firm made a splash in the world of hockey by designing the ScotiaBank Arena in Toronto, Canada, which is the proud home of the Maple Leafs. Finally, the Yankee Stadium is a multipurpose venue in New York that hosts not just baseball with the matches of the New York Yankees but, since 2015, also those of the New York City FC, a soccer team part of MLS. The American firm also has an office in Milan, managed by Declan Sharkey and Silvia Prandelli who hold, respectively, the roles of General Manager and Director. In addition to stadiums, Populous excels in designing arenas, convention centers, and masterplans for city planning.

Declan Sharkey, senior principal at Populous and general manager of Populous Italy, stated in an interview with Forbes a few months ago, “We identify as a specialized sports architecture firm, and our architects and designers are among the most experienced in this sector. Over the years, we have worked hand in hand with some of the highest football governing bodies, such as FIFA, and with national governments to establish guidelines and best practices in the field of football stadium designing. Modern stadiums boast an enormous potential for producing new revenue streams for clubs, enhancing fan experience, and contributing to the local economy. The new Tottenham stadium is a prime example. The quality and variety of its dining options have significantly increased the club’s revenue compared to the old stadium. Inside, there is an artisanal brewery and a food court, where you can have Michelin-star culinary experiences. The fans highly appreciate these offerings, to the point that the bars remain full from the moment the stadium opens until hours after the final whistle of the games.