CASE STUDY | TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STADIUM TAP INNS AND TOUCHDOWNS The razzamatazz of the American NFL visited north London last month, when Oakland Raiders beat the Chicago Bears 24-21 in a thriller at Tottenham Hotspurs new stadium. Andy Pearson looks at the remarkable engineering behind the 3,000-tonne retractable grass pitch that enables the stadium to be used for a multitude of events T ottenham Hotspur FCs new 62,062-seater stadium in north London is unlike any other in the world. It features a natural turf pitch that can be retracted to reveal an artificial playing surface to enable American football (NFL) games to be played, and concerts and other events to be hosted at the venue. The first Premier League football match at the stadium took place on 3 April 2019, when Tottenham beat Crystal Palace 2-0. The first NFL game to showcase the stadiums unique ability to host the USAs most popular sport was played last month, when the Chicago Bears lost to the Oakland Raiders. The stadium bowls most distinctive feature is its 17,500-capacity South Stand the largest single-tier stand in the UK which the stadiums architect, Populous, says will enable the home fans to create a wall of sound. It is supported on two giant, tree-like columns, beneath which is a food and drinks hall containing what is claimed to be Europes longest bar, at 65m. This is enclosed by the stadiums 62,062 number of seats at Tottenham Hotspur FCs stadium The South Stand accommodates the pitch pocket a basement recess into which the grass pitch can be retracted by 68 electric motors in 25 minutes 34 November 2019 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Nov19 pp34-38 Tottenham ground.indd 34 25/10/2019 14:48