Glasgow-bound! Emirates Arena ready to stage World Indoors

Tuesday 20th February 2024

Photos by Jeff Holmes

Glasgow Life are pleased to confirm that a brand-new track surface will await the world’s best athletes when they compete for world championship titles at the Emirates Arena next month.

As part of the ongoing refurbishment programme of its sports facilities, Glasgow Life scheduled the works to be completed ahead of this prestigious event, the first time a World Indoors has been held in Scotland.

Glasgow Life has overseen the build, working with specialist suppliers DYNAMIK and Mondo, as the Arena is upgraded 12 years after its original construction for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

As part of the city’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, a new LED lighting system has also been installed at the venue, reducing energy consumption.

It will provide better operational conditions for broadcast and support wider legacy uses of the space.

The Emirates Arena is well established as a world class athletics venue, having hosted numerous national and international events including the 2019 European Athletics Indoor Championships and most recently the Muller Indoor Grand Prix in 2020.

As well as ensuring the Arena is ready to host the world’s best, the refurbishment firmly demonstrates the city’s commitment to its thriving community sport programme.

The track and field facility is well used by many of the city’s next generation of elite competitors across a range of sports, and plays host to our National, club and school competitions throughout the year.

Laura Muir and Jemma Reekie are both selected for the World Indoors after having trained for many at the venue.

With many memorable moments already having taken place at the arena, the World Indoos promises to deliver even more spectacular performances as over 650 athletes from 130 countries compete for gold next month (1-3 March).

‘I am delighted the renovation work at the Emirates Arena has been completed and we look forward to an exciting World Indoors at the venue,’ said Colin Hutchison, chief executive of scottishathletics.

‘The benefit for the athletics community in Scotland – as well as seeing global stars up close for a few days – is a ‘new’ indoor track and field facility for years to come. Realistically, the arena needed improvements at some point, and we’re pleased to be through the other end of that now.

‘Athletes and coaches have been very patient this winter, and we are grateful for that, and we are really excited about coming back in the winter of 2024-25 for our indoor season and the return of Scottish Championship events.

‘The venue looks great now and I am certain the atmosphere for the World Indoors is going to be very special.’

World Athletics Chief Executive, Jon Ridgeon, said: ‘This is a fantastic legacy for the City of Glasgow and ensures a world-class training and competition facility for Scottish athletes who are increasingly becoming a fixture on our podiums.

‘The fact that Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life have been able to schedule the installation of the new track and the lighting system in time for the World Indoors, will not only enhance the quality of performances at the Championships, but secures the future of the sport at all levels for many years to come.’