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S4E05 | Tottenham’s Retractable Pitch: Genius or a Problem?

August 11, 2026 · 40 min

Show notes

What are the numbers behind Tottenham Hotspur’s extraordinary stadium, and could the technology that makes it such a commercial success have an unexpected downside?

We are joined by Patrick from By the Numbers' instagram account to dig into the business, science and technology behind modern football.

We look at Spurs’ incredible retractable pitch, how it disappears beneath the South Stand in around 30 minutes, and how the stadium has helped transform Tottenham’s commercial potential.

But there’s another side to the numbers. With Spurs suffering a succession of serious injuries, could the unusual construction of the pitch be playing a part, or is the evidence simply not there? And just how much does an injured Premier League player actually cost a football club?

Football, by the numbers. 


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All episodes of The Lab (Tottenham Hotspur Podcast)

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