Spain: "We no longer design a stadium just to host sport" (Blanca Sanchez, architect)

"The great challenge in the architectural design of sports facilities is to understand that these buildings are not designed solely to host sporting competitions. We tend to create multifunctional buildings that can be used all year round," Spanish architect Blanca Sanchez, head of sports projects at the Cruz y Ortiz practice, said on 21 October 2026.

She was speaking during a round table at Sportcities Expo & Summit 2026, the second edition of the European trade fair dedicated to infrastructure, equipment, innovation and services for sport and active living in cities, held at the Feria de Valladolid (Spain) on 21 and 22 October 2026.

"Stadiums are buildings that aim to be flexible and sustainable, and they must adapt to every use. This goes far beyond a venue where matches are held…