Wrigley Field prepares to welcome the global sports venue industry

Article posted by Coliseum, August 11^th, 2026

Image: Coliseum GSVA

The countdown is on for the 11^th Coliseum Summit US, taking place on 26–27 August at Wrigley Field in Chicago, with only 20 delegate passes remaining before registration closes. Link to registration.

More than 55 speakers from across the stadium and arena industry will come together for two days of knowledge sharing, networking and behind-the-scenes access to some of Chicago’s most interesting sports venues. The Summit marks the ninth physical US edition, in addition to two virtual editions held during the pandemic.

Coliseum Summits are built around three pillars: knowledge sharing, networking and venue tours. There are no exhibitions, no parallel sessions and no traditional panel discussions. Instead, the programme is centred on practical case studies, one-to-one conversations and open discussions about real projects, their challenges and the lessons learned.

For delegates arriving early, the Coliseum experience starts on 25 August. The pre-conference programme includes an exclusive visit to the Chicago Blackhawks’ new ice center, where delegates will hear directly from people involved in the development and get a first-hand look at the new facility. The tour will be followed by the traditional Coliseum Ice Breaker, providing the first opportunity for delegates, speakers and partners to meet ahead of the two conference days at Wrigley Field.

Chicago in transition

Chicago provides a particularly relevant backdrop for this year’s Summit. Few North American cities currently have such a diverse pipeline of major sports venue projects, ranging from new stadium developments to large-scale renovations and surrounding mixed-use projects.

The programme will look at the Chicago Bears’ future stadium plans, Chicago Fire FC’s new stadium at The 78, the 1901 Project surrounding the United Center and the new Ryan Field at Northwestern University.

Wrigley Field itself will also become part of the programme. Chicago Cubs executives and project partners will share insights into the continued evolution of the historic ballpark, from sustainability and premium experiences to live production and technology.

Beyond the conference room, the venue tours will allow delegates to experience Chicago’s sports infrastructure first-hand and discuss projects directly with the people responsible for designing, developing and operating them.

Major projects across the United States

The programme then moves beyond Chicago to examine major developments and changing priorities across the US sports venue market.

Among the projects featured are the Athletics’ new ballpark in Las Vegas, the stadium discussions surrounding the Kansas City Chiefs, the rapid restoration of Tropicana Field following the destruction of its roof during Hurricane Milton, and the extensive renovation of Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

The programme goes well beyond new construction. Speakers from venues, teams, universities and industry partners will share practical experience in technology, security, sustainability, premium hospitality, revenue generation, fan experience and venue operations.

Women’s sport will also receive particular attention. With investment in women’s professional sport continuing to accelerate across North America, dedicated sessions will explore the changing requirements for purpose-built women’s venues and elite training environments, and the lessons emerging from a rapidly developing sector of the industry.

Bringing the international venue industry to Chicago

The international perspective remains a defining part of Coliseum Summit US. Stadium and arena projects face many of the same fundamental challenges around the world, but the solutions can differ considerably between markets. Bringing those experiences together allows the US industry to learn from developments elsewhere—and international delegates to take lessons home from North America.

This year’s programme includes the new Event Centre in Calgary, the continuing transformation of River Plate’s Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, developments around Kallang in Singapore, and the new AVIVA Arena in Bristol, UK.

From major stadium developments and multifunctional arenas to technology, commercialisation, operations and sustainability, the international case studies add another dimension to a programme deliberately designed to connect the entire sports venue value chain.

More than 55 speakers and over 15 hours of networking will make Chicago one of the major meeting points for the stadium and arena industry this August.

With just 20 delegate passes remaining, registration for the 11^th Coliseum Summit US will close once the final places have been allocated. Link to registration.