UKREiiF is launching a dedicated sports investment and regeneration summit as stadiums and sporting infrastructure increasingly become catalysts for wider housing and commercial development.
The inaugural Sports Investment & Regeneration Summit will take place during UKREiiF 2027 in Leeds, bringing together investors, developers, sports organisations, local authorities and policymakers.
It will focus on the role stadiums, arenas and training facilities can play in unlocking wider regeneration and attracting public and private investment.
The programme will also examine mixed-use development, placemaking, infrastructure and the economic impact of major sporting destinations.
REGENERATION OPPORTUNITIES
Matt Christie, Co-Founding Director and Director of External Affairs and Programme at UKREiiF, says sports-led projects are increasingly being used to support development beyond the venues themselves.
He says: “Sport has a unique ability to bring people, investment and opportunity together.
“Across the UK, we’re seeing sports-led regeneration projects become catalysts for wider economic growth, unlocking new housing, commercial development, infrastructure investment and community benefits.
“The Sports Investment & Regeneration Summit will provide a platform for the organisations and individuals leading these transformational projects to share insights, forge partnerships and explore future opportunities.”
The programme will cover sports-led regeneration and placemaking, stadium and arena investment, public-private partnerships, international investment and mixed-use development opportunities.
INVESTMENT PARTNERS
Buro Happold has been confirmed as headline partner for the summit, alongside associate partners Cavendish, Front Five Building Services and Grimshaw. Populous and KSS have joined as session partners.
Rob Amphlett, Partner and UK Sports and Entertainment Sector Lead at Buro Happold, says: “Sport and entertainment have a unique ability to bring people together, strengthen local identity and create momentum for wider investment in places.
“Buro Happold has worked on some of the world’s most complex sport and entertainment venues and the wider regeneration of the places around them.”
The Sports Investment & Regeneration Summit will form part of UKREiiF 2027, which takes place in Leeds from 18 to 20 May.
