New + Next

The Best Experiential Stadiums in the World

Is this the best time of year for sports? We think so. The NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, NCAA, PGA and even tennis are all in full swing in the US — while across the pond, the Premier League, La Liga and UEFA are keeping the energy high. And when we’re not glued to these games, we’re already counting down to MLB Opening Day, the WNBA season tip-off and, of course, the FIFA World Cup playing across North American stadiums in 2026. But live sports is where the real magic happens. Leagues know that today’s fans expect more than a lukewarm hot dog and some half-hearted jumbotron trivia. They want experiential moments that justify the ticket price — whether they’re sitting courtside or up in the nosebleeds. As Jon Ledecky, owner of the NHL’s New York Islanders, put it when opening the $1 billion UBS Arena: live sports are “competing against the 80-inch television in your living room.” That’s why we’re seeing an estimated $10 billion in stadium investments by 2030 — because in the battle for fans’ attention (and dollars), game-day experiences need to deliver a big-time wow factor. Exhibit A: Super Bowl LIX. When the Caesars Superdome in New...