Sports venues in the U.K. are playing catch-up to U.S. stadiums and arenas when it comes to technology and fan experiences. But those same British venues can teach their American cousins about security. That is according to Richard Knight, who led the modernization of London’s Twickenham Stadium while serving as stadium director for the Rugby Football Union and just joined architecture firm HOK’s 129-person London office as a senior sports consultant. Knight expects to see more sports venues in Britain and Europe upgrade their lighting, video boards and wireless systems to enhance fan experiences and attract more events. He said LED lighting and venue-wide, high-quality Wi-Fi still are not in place at all major British sports venues. “People are certainly looking to the U.S. as the leader and driver in that regard,” said Knight of the technology wave that has come to new and renovated U.S. sports facilities. Knight said his work with HOK will focus on bringing teams, owners and venue managers' perspectives to architects earlier in the design process in order to avoid last-minute changes and post-construction retrofits. “I’m hoping to be able to bridge that gap,” he said. There are innovations happening in the U.K. and Europe, Knight said, such as wireless upgrades at English cricket grounds and adaptive designs to host various events at Barcelona’s new Palau Blaugrana arena. Knight also said terrorism has also made British sports venues more forward-thinking on security matters and they can offer blueprints and best practices to U.S. counterparts. Knight said more U.K. venues are also latching onto the trend of upgrading food, premium and fan experience areas inside and out of facilities. “They are trying to get their supporters to come earlier and leave later,” Knight said.
