It’s been rumoured that proposals for Tottenham Hotspur’s new football stadium include a multi-use facility which could also host NFL American football games, architectsjournal.co.uk reports.

Populous, the architect behind the Olympic Stadium, has reportedly drawn up ‘top secret’ plans to transform White Hart Lane into a ‘mega-venue’.

This apparently includes installation of a retractable turf pitch to allow the stadium to be used for other, non-footballing purposes. The architect employed a similar feature when co-designing the Arizona Cardinals’ ground in Phoenix. It is consequently believed that Populous wants to entice the NFL to stage games in London.

Work to commence in 2014 on the £400 million project

Construction of the new ground should commence in June 2014 and welcome football fans through the turnstiles for the 2016/17 season, stadiumdb.com writes. The £400 million project, on land adjacent to the existing stadium comprises more than just the football ground, promising new homes, a supermarket and a wider commercial development.

News of the retractable turf – whether true or not – could impact the number of homes that are due to be built. Currently some 285 homes have been planned, but construction of a structure which would house the retracted turf could eat into the site, reducing the space available.

Populous has denied the claims, stating simply that:

“The club intends to examine all options as it refines its plans”.

Author: Elizabeth Smythe    Date Written: 24 October 2013