At ‘the sports’ ARCHIVE, our mission is to bridge the gap between architectural education and professional practice, by providing specialist design platform where the next generation of architects can explore, innovate, and network within the field of sports and performance architecture.

‘the sports’ ARCHIVE was founded in response to a perceived lack of recognition for sports and performance architecture within architectural education. Despite the growing global significance of these sectors, few students are aware of the opportunity to explore them as viable career paths. To address this, the platform launched the first-ever student design award specifically dedicated to sports and performance architecture—offering a dedicated space for student work to be recognised, celebrated, and archived.

Now in its second year, ‘the sports’ ARCHIVE has engaged with more than 75 students across four continents, offering valuable exposure and recognition while celebrating design innovation. The growing archive of past submissions is not only a reflection of the creativity and ambition of past students but also a valuable resource to inform and inspire future students considering studio projects/careers related to the sector.

Looking ahead, we aim to establish stronger collaborations between universities and architectural practices, creating a direct link from education to industry. Through these partnerships, we can provide students with firsthand insights, real-world design challenges, and direct networking opportunities—further strengthening the pipeline of talent entering the sector.