TheStadiumBusiness is delighted to reveal the finalists for the industry’s 2020 Awards.
We were inundated with submissions this year, seeing nominations flood in from around the world. Our congratulations to all of our finalists for making the shortlists. We will be in touch shortly to advise the next steps of your nomination. Meanwhile, the full dossier will be compiled and presented to the Judging Panel for final adjudication.
PS. If you’re on the shortlists but not received your media kit and Awards night invitation then do email us.
Proudly presenting our 2020 Shortlists:
VENUE OF THE YEAR AWARD
For the world’s best stadium, arena or sports venue. From the small local club venue to the mega-capacity national sports stadium, tell us which venue deserves recognition for its outstanding performance over the past 12 months, and why. Entries should refer to specific successes and achievements of the venue in the past year.
- Allianz Field, Minnesota
- Chase Center, San Francisco
- Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
- Golden1 Center, Sacramento
- Lord’s Cricket Ground, London
- Optus Stadium, Perth
- Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
Winner decided by: Decision by Judging Panel
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD
For the sports venue leader, pioneer or visionary that has over-delivered in the past 12 months.
- Kieran Nulty, Vice President of Arena Experience, Fiserv Forum
- Valerie Camillo, President of Business Operations, Philadelphia Flyers and Wells Fargo Center
- Eric Woolworth, President, Business Operations, Miami HEAT Group
- Rick Welts, President and COO, Golden State Warriors
- Guy Ngata, CEO, Coca-Cola Arena
- Andy O’Sullivan, Venue Director, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Winner decided by: Decision by Judging Panel
EVENT OF THE YEAR AWARD
For the best sports or non-sports event, guest event, concert or one-off spectacle held at a major sports venue in the last 12 months. We are looking for something out of the ordinary, something special, something that sets a future trend. The award recognises the event’s host venue, and thus entries should reference why the venue’s management/operational team deserves special recognition for their delivery.
- Metallica & SF Symphony Orchestra opening Chase Center, San Francisco
- First NFL International Game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
- Manchester United FC tour (Optus Stadium/VenuesLive/Tourism WA), Perth
- Match in Africa 6: Federer-Nadal (Cape Town Stadium), Cape Town
- MLB London Series (London Stadium), London
- Miami Open makeover at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Winner decided by: Decision by Judging Panel
UNSUNG HERO AWARD
For an individual (or team) that delivers consistently outstanding service to a particular stadium, arena or major sports venue… without recognition! Awarded to the quiet achiever(s), the rising stars, the ever-reliable ‘behind-the-scenes’ fixer(s) and the person(s) that ‘just gets on with the job’.
- Ricardo Casañez, Head of Venue Operations, Club Atletico de Madrid, Spain
- Kath Phipps, Receptionist, Aon Training Complex, Manchester United FC, UK
- Shaun Oliver, Vice President of Operations, Red Bull Arena, USA
- Doug Metcalfe, Stadium and Operations Manager, Burnley FC, UK
- Thomas Skov Petersen, Head of Marketing, Brøndby IF, Denmark
- Volunteer Army at Gazprom Arena, Russia
Winner decided by: Decision by Judging Panel
FAN EXPERIENCE AWARD
For the stadium, arena or major sports venue that has delivered consistently outstanding levels of service and fan experience at every stage of the customer journey.
- Fan Experience approach at Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
- Customer Journey at Sydney Cricket Ground, Australia
- Brøndby IF’s new FanZone, Denmark
- Gritty Makeovers – Flyers / Wells Fargo Center, USA
- HSBC World Rugby Sevens at Cape Town Stadium, South Africa
- Curva Futura at Cagliari Calcio, Italy
- The ‘High Street’ Concourse at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, UK
Winner decided by: Decision by Judging Panel
PRODUCT INNOVATION AWARD
Awarded for a product or service that has uniquely transformed and improved the way stadiums, arenas and sports venues do business.
- In-arena, Checkout-free Convenience store at Golden1 Center (Sacramento Kings/Zippin)
- Menu-Inclusive Season Ticketing at Levi’s Stadium/49ers (49ers/Levy)
- Staydium Glamping at Eden Park, New Zealand (Samsung/AirBnB)
- Uhuru’s UriCall app-free in-seat ordering (Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament)
- LAVA realtime customer experience marketing platform Staples Center/LA Live
- Suite Exchange platform at Chase Center, San Francisco
Winner decided by: Decision by Judging Panel
SUSTAINABILITY & COMMUNITY AWARD
To recognise achievement, success or leadership in the pursuit of sustainable and community-driven venue and event management.
- Big Sleep Out – Preston North End FC
- Compostable Packaging Initiative at SCG (Sydney Cricket Ground/Biopak)
- Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium naming rights (Kiyan Prince Foundation/QPR FC)
- First LEED Platinum certification for sports venue O+M (US Bank Stadium)
- “Infinitely Recyclable” aluminium cup – Pepsi Center/Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE)
- Mental Health First-Aid Initiative at The NEC Group
- Vegan First kiosk at Stamford Bridge (Chelsea FC)
Winner decided by: Decision by Judging Panel
SPONSORSHIP, SALES & MARKETING AWARD
Recognising the sponsorship, sales or marketing initiative which has delivered new audiences, new revenues and new partnerships.
- SoFi Stadium/LASED Premier Sales Center (Rams and Chargers), Los Angeles
- Chase Center partnership (SF Warriors/JP Morgan Chase)
- Assembly Room/New City Terrace at Wells Fargo Center
- Cloud-Based VIP sales solution at SportPaleis Group
- Coca-Cola Arena launch in new market UAE
- The (new) International Suite at Old Trafford (Manchester United FC)
Winner decided by: Decision by Judging Panel
VENUE TECHNOLOGY AWARD
For the stadium, arena or major sports venue that has delivered innovative technology to transform and improve the way it operates.
- Intel’s True View system at CapitalOne Arena/Fiserv Forum/StateFarm Arena
- 601 Analytics Platform (Miami Heat/601 Analytics)
- Matchday Easy Mobility platform (AS Roma/Stadio Olimpico)
- Immersive Education at National Soccer Hall of Fame at Toyota Stadium, Frisco
- 49ers Executive Huddle (SAP/49ers)
- Frictionless Purchasing at Citi Field (New York Mets/Aramark/Clear/Mashgin)
Winner decided by: Decision by Judging Panel
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Outstanding Achievement Award recognises an individual that has shown exceptional commitment, service and leadership to the stadium industry over a sustained period of time. (And no, they don’t have to be retiring any time soon!)
If you made the shortlists, we’ll be in touch shortly!
Winners will be announced on 21 April 2020
Got a question about the Awards? Get in touch with the Awards team on +44 (0) 1903 74 11 23 or awards@thestadiumbusiness.com
What are people saying?
What a fantastic event! I met some absolutely great people and I cannot wait until the next one. Thank you so much to the Xperiology and TTF team!
Amanda Newman CEO, Ticketmaster
What a fantastic event! I met some absolutely great people and I cannot wait until the next one. Thank you so much to the Xperiology and TTF team!
Amanda Newman CEO, Ticketmaster
What a fantastic event! I met some absolutely great people and I cannot wait until the next one. Thank you so much to the Xperiology and TTF team!
Amanda Newman CEO, Ticketmaster
What a fantastic event! I met some absolutely great people and I cannot wait until the next one. Thank you so much to the Xperiology and TTF team!