Stadium Speculation

[Neil]

I figured I would start a thread where we could discuss what our hopes are for our stadium, when the time comes to build it.

For looks, I would personally love to see something like the "AOL Arena" in Hamburg. It holds a little over 45,000 people, which is way more than we need, but I really like the look of it, and I like all of the covering over the seating areas, which would be great for the hot, and bright, summer games, or when it rains in September.

As far as seating numbers, I think a 27,000 seat stadium would be nice so there's room for some growth, as well as when there's an exibition game or other special event.

Here's two pics of the AOL Arena:

[Loyal1]

I believe RSL is looking to have 24-25k in their stadium.

[Czar Jake]

Covered seating would be so sweet. But I'm not going to hold my breath on that one, I think it ups the cost quite a bit doesn't it? Not that I'm an expert on stadium construction costs, but it seems like it would. The most important thing to me is that it is our own place, possibly with some unique attribute(s) to it.. somewhere that teams know is an intimidating place to play. I'd like a downtown stadium too, even though it's a farther drive for me, I think it adds to the atmosphere of the stadium and of the city.

[Neil]

24-25k sounds good to me. I'd also like to see the stadium within the downtown area, it just doesn't make sense for Real Salt Lake not to be in Salt Lake City. it's also be nice for it to be named Real Stadium or something that has to do with the team rather than "Kentucky Fried Stadium" or some other corporate sponsor name.

[Jose Luis Luviano]

Selling naming rights is usually an alternative to raising ticket prices to fund the stadium, lowering player salaries or raising taxes to fund the stadium.

[Scilaci]

I think that a distinctive stadium would be intuitive. It would have instant recognition value with the general public. I think it should look different from an american Football stadium so that people will say "oh, look, that's a soccer stadium". Or something like that. Who knows, but whatever it ends up as it will be great.

[Lucky13]

I was in Toledo recently (don't ask), and I saw the stadium where the Toledo Mud Hen's play. It was right in the middle of town (the older part that is now being renovated). The field itself had been cut in below ground level with the seating coming up to a level above the ground except in the outfield where there were concessions with tables and chairs and plenty of room to stretch the legs (or let the kids run). This area was bordered on the outside by an iron fence where people could freely see inside the stadium from the sidewalk outside.
The thinking was that even though there might be a few who would stand outside and watch rather than buying a ticket, most people who were able would buy a ticket for a seat anyway, and that the open view generated interest and created a sort of intimacy and sense of community within the City.
I don't know about a location, but I believe a stadium something like the this would be very successful. It sure is a hit in Toledo.

[Scilaci]

I've been looking at stadium designs and found a great one in Estádio Municipal de Braga Stadium. Here are some pictures. I like that it fits with the natural surroundings and also that there is no goal seats on either end. Perhaps if AC Milan had been in this stadium the goalie wouldn't have looked like the fourth of July.

A great website for stadium research is:
http://www.worldstadiums.com

Besides the rather silly ads it is pretty thorough.

[qman]

I think the team would be happy to get just about any stadium.

[Merrill]

I hate to be a spoilsport, but don't we already have a design for Grand Real Stadium? 😕