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The architects behind London’s Olympic Stadium will build you a personal arena in your back garden for $30m

Anyone stuck for last-minute present ideas?

THERE’S SOMETHING SPECIAL about going to a live sporting event — big screens, crowds, and live sports action make it a thrilling experience.

Now the architects at Populous, the firm behind Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field, London’s Olympic stadium, and the new Yankee Stadium, want to recreate that experience by building a personal stadium for someone with a huge backyard and $30 million to spare.

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Designed for Robb Report’s annual gift guide for the super-wealthy, the personal stadium would be a perfect gift for the deep-pocketed sports fan.

The concept includes a 40-50 yard playing field with wrap-around LED screens that could theoretically simulate the arena experience of any sports team of your choosing. Fibre-optic lighting in the astroturf means that it can transform from a football field to a baseball stadium to a soccer pitch with the flip of a switch.

The backyard stadium would be exclusive, with seating for about 100 people. There’s also potential for concession stands and a broadcasting booth for those wanting to practice their play-by-play skills.

But that’s not all. According to Robb Report, ”Wind, snow, and rain machines can add even more authenticity to the playing and viewing experience, or Populous can design the stadium with a retractable roof so that weather is not a concern. Locker rooms with showers also can be included.”

The construction process would take an estimated 12 months to complete, and it’s important to note that “the gift recipient must supply the land.”

“Is it doable?” Ryan Sickman, a Populous engineer and associate principal, said to Robb Report. ”Yes. It just hasn’t been done before.”

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    Mute Eoin Faz
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    Mar 4th 2012, 4:50 PM

    Ireland leave Stade de France undefeated!

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    Mute Jones Frank
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    Mar 4th 2012, 3:32 PM

    Bowe is the man

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    Mute Luca Costa
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    Mar 4th 2012, 3:20 PM

    Rte should mute Ryle Nugent and tony ward so we can listen to the deadly tuba and brass music in the background.

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    Mute Martin Sinnott
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    Mar 4th 2012, 3:17 PM

    Here is our good start, can we keep it up !

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    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
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    Mar 4th 2012, 3:45 PM

    Where are the sack Kidney crowd now?

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    Mute Shane O Leary
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    Mar 4th 2012, 3:49 PM

    Still here Leslie, cos we can and should be doing this in every single game.

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    Mute ap freely
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    Mar 4th 2012, 3:55 PM

    Sack kidney

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    Mute Mark Power
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    Mar 4th 2012, 5:12 PM

    Right here. He has to go. His refusal to make changes is destroying the teams chances if winning. It’s more than a 15 man game. Somebody tell him that. Kidney OUT

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    Mute Niall Dorr
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    Mar 4th 2012, 4:52 PM

    We could of won, I knew at 65th minute we should off gone for the drop goal. But hey hindsight is a great thing.

    Fair play to the second round Irish supporters, and the team for not losing. :-)

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    Mute TradingPaddy.com
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    Mar 4th 2012, 4:05 PM

    Come on IRELAND !!!

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    Mute Mark Power
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    Mar 4th 2012, 5:04 PM

    Declan Kidney has to GET OUT. Just like O Sullivan he’s afraid to use an alternative line up and slow as turtles shagging to use the bench. As long as he stays Ireland can get comfortable being nothing more than an average team in this competition. Not first but not last either. Not good enough in my view. We’re a far cry from the grand slam years now

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    Mute PerkyBeans
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    Mar 4th 2012, 4:20 PM

    Noooooooooooooooooo

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    Mute MisterWriteNow
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    Mar 4th 2012, 4:58 PM

    Really should have won that one. Too many unforced individual errors. Think Kidney should have made the changes earlier too. 3 games in and only pride left to play for. Again.

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    Mute Eoin Daniels
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    Mar 4th 2012, 6:46 PM

    Im sorry Tommy Bowe but Rob Kearney was man of the match.

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    Mute Brendan Peters
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    Mar 4th 2012, 4:07 PM

    I tell you now to win this game we need to score 2 more tries

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    Mute Aleo
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    Mar 4th 2012, 4:14 PM

    Come on, Ireland!

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    Mute Denis Walsh
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    Mar 4th 2012, 4:45 PM

    I’m sick of this overrated team. Had it in the bag and let it go. A disgrace to our country! Days like today make me feel ashamed to be Irish.

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    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
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    Mar 4th 2012, 4:48 PM

    Then go support someone else

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    Mute Sean Mc Avinue
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    Mar 4th 2012, 5:01 PM

    @Denis. Youuuu Plonkerrrrr!

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    Mute Martin Sinnott
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    Mar 4th 2012, 4:46 PM

    Did our bad line outs cost us a draw

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