Despite much opposition, the much-discussed arena has now gained a pass. The complex was designed by the international architecture firm Populous, which has built stadiums all over the world. The London Arena will seat 21,500 spectators, including 17,566 seats. It will be built on a triangular site surrounded on all sides by railway lines adjacent to Westfield Stratford City Shopping Centre.
The central hall will be located inside the 90-meter-high ball along with restaurants, cafes and a members club. Inside, the ball is covered in an immersive LED wall that can be used in esports. For developer Madison Square Garden Company, MSG Sphere London will be “a significant milestone in fulfilling our ambition to reinvent live entertainment with iconic arenas that can integrate advanced technologies and ground-breaking immersive experiences.”
The orb would rise from a building containing the podium containing shops and a nightclub. From the outside, the building is covered with LED screens to display upcoming events and announcements.
The London Sphere is not the only football arena of its kind. Populous designed an almost identical analogue that is currently under construction in Las Vegas, United States.
