16/05/2026
First site visit and technical session with John D’Arcy (Head of Safety at Craven Cottage, ).
Thanks to John, we explored all seven levels of the incredible new Riverside Stand—a truly self-contained, multifunctional building overlooking the Thames and seamlessly integrated with the existing stadium.
It is a benchmark for stadium design and a unique facility in Europe.
The tour also included the "Cottage" and the historic stands, both protected as heritage sites.
These structures still feature the original wooden seating and the cast-iron framework designed by Archibald Leitch.
While these historic elements are essential to the venue’s identity, they make safety management uniquely complex.