This weekend Wembley will host its first full capacity event as Manchester United and Chelsea clash in the FA Cup Final. But to get there, there’s an awful lot that’s gone on first.

The technology needs of the new stadium are varied. Under the four acre moveable roof section and the 133 metre-high arch is one of the most technologically advanced stadia in the world.

For example, there will be 35 miles of heavy-duty power cables running through the stadium. These will cater not only for general needs but also for the huge amount of power needed to broadcast the stadium’s events around the globe.

Two giant widescreens bookend the new stadium - each the size of 600 domestic television sets. Screens in football stadia have come a long way since a Sony Jumbotron was installed at White Hart Lane in 1995.

Microsoft is a founding partner of the new £798 million arena. It’ll be involved for at least the next four years providing software and systems. For its £5 million, the software giant will also get its name above the entrance and 100 billboards around the ground. The company gets exclusive use of the stadium for one day a year until 2010 as well. Bit of a shame Vista’s UK launch was before the stadium was handed over to the FA in March then.



The FA’s stadium operator, Wembley National Stadium Limited (WNSL), says that the stadium is expected to have over two million visitors per year.

“Wembley Stadium plays a unique role in British life – it’s a national icon that has inspired generation after generation of young people with the dream of playing and performing at Wembley,” says Microsoft’s UK marketing officer Nick Barley.

The scale of the structure is incredible. With a span of 315 metres, the arch will be the longest single span structure in the world. Whereas the old Twin Towers were 35 metres tall, the new roof is 52 metres above the pitch. It has a massively bigger footprint too - 103,000 square metres compared to 40,500m square metres.

The fixtures and fittings have also demanded much attention. London Bridge-based industrial design firm Curventa Designworks created touchscreen information terminals for the new stadium. They’re designed to promote the 10-year Club Wembley seat packages and other information about the venue.



For visually impaired supporters, the new stadium will boast major technological advantages such as a radio system to transmit commentary to all parts of the ground.

Read page two.

Published on 17 May 2007