Knowledge

Hilson Moran is proud to share SportScore – a pioneering evaluation framework created to help architects, developers and sports leaders design stadiums and sports facilities that deliver meaningful cultural, sustainable and economic impact.

Developed by Hilson Moran’s dedicated Sports Taskforce, SportScore is the result of years of experience delivering high-performance venues across the UK, Europe and the Middle East. The framework is designed to support design teams and clients in creating sports infrastructure that goes far beyond compliance,  capturing the complex interplay between local identity, environmental performance and long-term financial value.

Designing with Culture, Community and Climate in Mind

Sports facilities are increasingly expected to be more than functional venues – they must act as inclusive, multi-functional hubs that reflect the communities they serve. Hilson Moran’s approach places cultural context at the heart of design-led thinking. Rather than imposing a ‘one-size-fits-all’ standard, or relying on existing certifications, SportScore encourages sensitive integration of local materials, heritage, and architecture to create places that are both globally relevant and locally resonant.

“Whether it’s a national stadium or a local training centre, every venue has the potential to be a powerful symbol of identity,” says Matt Kitson Head of the Sports Sector at Hilson Moran. “SportScore allows us to quantify and celebrate this potential while ensuring environmental integrity and commercial viability.”

A Flexible, KPI-Led Framework

SportScore assesses performance across three interconnected pillars:

• Socio-Cultural: Community engagement, local identity, accessibility, and inclusivity.
• Environmental: Energy efficiency, water management, materials, and long-term environmental performance.
• Economical: Lifecycle value, operational efficiency, adaptability, and revenue diversification.

Each pillar is supported by clear Key Performance Indicators, drawn from industry standards such as LEED, BREEAM and WELL, but applied with a more adaptable and location-sensitive lens. The framework is scalable, accommodating both new builds and upgrades, and is already informing several projects in the UK and overseas. Watch the video below to find out how it works:

Putting Theory into Practice

Hilson Moran’s experience spans a diverse range of global sports venues, each reflecting the core principles of the SportScore framework. These projects showcase how design can deliver high-performance outcomes while remaining culturally embedded, environmentally responsible, and economically resilient.

1. Stadium 974, Qatar

A global exemplar of circular design, Stadium 974 was constructed using shipping containers and modular elements, creating a fully demountable stadium that can be dismantled, relocated or repurposed after use. This approach minimised embodied carbon and construction waste while maximising legacy flexibility. Hilson Moran provided sustainability and MEP consultancy to ensure the stadium met ambitious environmental targets while maintaining comfort and safety for spectators. The venue demonstrates how modularity, innovation and sustainability can coexist at the highest levels of international sport.

2. Jeddah Central Development Stadium, Saudi Arabia

Set within one of the Kingdom’s most significant regeneration masterplans, this flagship stadium is designed to serve not just as a sports venue but as a driver of urban transformation. Hilson Moran’s role involved developing a sustainability framework that prioritised resilience to climate extremes, flood risk mitigation, biodiversity integration, and the use of low-carbon materials. The stadium’s economic and social functions were equally important — with community engagement, cultural inclusion, and tourism revenue generation embedded into the design strategy. The result is a venue that supports the Vision 2030 agenda by balancing modern development with long-term environmental and social value.

3. Serbian National Football Stadium, Serbia

As a key part of Serbia’s strategic green transition, the new National Football Stadium near Belgrade is being designed to meet the country’s SECAP (Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan) and GCAP (Green City Action Plan) objectives. Hilson Moran has provided sustainability and environmental engineering services to integrate low-energy systems, climate-resilient infrastructure, and smart digital monitoring into the stadium’s core. The design also includes accessible transport, inclusive community facilities, and educational outreach – ensuring the stadium delivers impact beyond matchday and becomes a long-term asset for national pride, health, and opportunity.

4. Swansea A.F.C., Wales

The Swansea.com Stadium is an existing shared-use facility with strong community roots – home to both Swansea City A.F.C and Ospreys Rugby. Hilson Moran was commissioned to assess the venue’s current operational performance and develop a sustainability strategy tailored to its ongoing use and regional context. Our work includes evaluating environmental performance metrics, identifying upgrade opportunities for energy and water systems, and aligning stadium operations with local economic and social goals. This strategic approach ensures the stadium continues to evolve as a valuable civic asset while contributing to the city’s net-zero and inclusion targets.

Building a Long-term Legacy

Modern stadiums must deliver more than matchday atmosphere. With increasing demands from fans, sponsors, cities and governing bodies, venues are expected to act as economic catalysts, community anchors and climate leaders. SportScore equips clients and design teams to meet these ambitions — supporting more informed decisions, transparent governance, and better long-term outcomes.