Advancing sports requires heavy investment. From training facilities to human capital, it is no mean feat for a country or club to have state-of-the-art sports centres. All over the world, different stadiums are constructed to serve different purposes with many being used for sports events.
Sports facilities play a key role in nurturing talents and it are a source of pride as fans throng such places to cheer and celebrate their teams and sportsmen and women in action. However, the cost of putting up such facilities can be mind boggling.
TeamKenya takes a look at the cost of building the stadiums, listing down the five most expensive sports centres in the world.
1. SoFi Stadium
Home to both the Rams and fellow NFL franchise the Los Angeles Chargers, the stadium was opened in September 2020.
The stadium cost Ksh624 billion ($5.5 billion) setting the record of being the most expensive sports centre in the world.
Rams owner Stan Kroenke who is also Arsenal Football Club owner pumped unprecedented amount of money into SoFi Stadium.
The stadium has a capacity of 70,000, which can be expanded to 100,000 for major events.
The stadium is set to host various major events from the 2022 Super Bowl, the 2023 CFP championship, WrestleMania 39 in 2023 and both the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2028 Summer Olympics .
2. Allegiant Stadium
Home to the Las Vegas Raider, the sports venue cost Ksh215 billion ($1.9 billion) and was launched in 2020 however due to the pandemic fans were kept out until 2021.
Allegiant has hosted a number of major events like the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final, 2021 Las Vegas Bowl and the NFL's 2022 Pro Bowl. The stadium is expected to host Super Bowl LVIII in February 2024.
The stadium is also the home for the UNLV Rebels s Plus has a capacity of 65,000.,
3. MetLife Stadium
The MetLife stadium that was unveiled in 2010 stood as the most expensive stadium for a decade.
Home to the New York Jets and New York Giants with a capacity of 82,000 cost Ksh193 billion ($1.7 billion).
MetLife stadium replaced Giants Stadium, which was the home to Giants and Jets for 34 and 26 seasons respectively.
4. Mercedes-Benz Stadium
The stadium that was opened in 2017 carries a price tag of Ksh170 ($1.5 billion). It is commonly known for its triangular, retractable roof and 360-degree scoreboard.
The stadium is home for the Atlanta Falcons and MLS club Atlanta United, which are both owned by Arthur Blank.
It has a seating capacity of 42,500 for soccer and is expandable to cater for 75,000 people for American football.
5. Wembley Stadium
The English National football team's home was opened in 2007 and has a price tag of Ksh170 ($1.5 billion).
The 90,000 capacity stadium has a variety of uses from major concerts, rugby matches, boxing and also major English cup finals.
Wembley also hosted the first 15 NFL regular-season games played in London, with the first match up in 2007 and the most recent in 2019.
In 2012 Wembley hosted the gold-medal matches for both men's and women's soccer Summer Olympics.