Economist Houari Tigharsi Tells Dzair Sport Smart Stadiums Can Generate Sustainable Revenue and Drive Algeria’s Sports Economy
By Dr. Hana Saada
ALGIERS – Algeria’s next challenge in sports infrastructure is no longer limited to constructing world-class stadiums but lies in transforming them into profitable economic assets capable of generating sustainable revenue throughout the year, according to economist Houari Tigharsi.
Speaking to Dzair Sport, Tigharsi said that the country’s newly built stadiums provide a unique opportunity to develop an integrated sports economy based on digital transformation, professional management and diversified commercial activities.
He argued that modern stadiums across the world have evolved far beyond their traditional role as venues for football matches, becoming year-round business hubs that contribute significantly to local and national economies.
“Today’s leading international stadiums generate a substantial share of their revenues outside sporting competitions,” Tigharsi said. “They host concerts, exhibitions, conferences, commercial events, corporate activities, museum tours, restaurants, retail outlets and guided visits, transforming these facilities into fully operational economic centres throughout the year.”
According to the economist, Algeria possesses the infrastructure necessary to replicate this model following the construction of several modern stadiums that meet international standards.
Professional Asset Management Is the Next Step
Tigharsi stressed that the country’s primary objective should now be to move beyond conventional stadium management towards professional sports asset management.
He called for the establishment of specialised operating companies governed by clear economic performance indicators and modern corporate management practices.
He also advocated broader partnerships between public authorities and the private sector to maximise commercial opportunities while increasing operational efficiency.
“Professional management would enable stadiums to become genuine economic hubs capable of creating wealth, generating employment opportunities and stimulating tourism, services, retail and the broader sports industry,” he explained.
Digital Ticketing Strengthens Governance and Financial Transparency
Tigharsi described the Ministry of Sports’ decision to introduce electronic ticketing and smart access gates as an important milestone in the digital transformation of Algerian stadiums.
He said digitalisation has become one of the most effective governance tools available to modern sports organisations by improving both financial transparency and operational accountability.
Electronic ticketing, he noted, not only combats ticket fraud and the black market but also ensures that legitimate revenues are channelled directly to clubs and stadium operators.
Beyond revenue protection, the system allows sports organisations to build comprehensive databases on supporter behaviour, attendance patterns and consumer preferences.
“Reliable supporter data creates entirely new commercial opportunities,” Tigharsi said. “It enables clubs to improve marketing strategies, develop targeted services and provide sponsors and investors with accurate audience information.”
He added that smart access systems also strengthen stadium security by regulating entry and exit flows, reducing congestion and creating safer conditions for supporters.
“These technologies improve the overall spectator experience while encouraging more families to return to stadiums under better organised and more secure conditions,” he stated.
Artificial Intelligence and 5G Will Define the Future of Algerian Sport
Looking ahead, Tigharsi identified fifth-generation telecommunications networks and artificial intelligence as two technologies that will fundamentally reshape Algeria’s sports sector.
According to him, AI and 5G will support intelligent crowd management, predictive security systems, preventive maintenance of sports facilities and more efficient management of electricity and water consumption.
He also highlighted their potential contribution to sporting performance through advanced data analytics capable of assisting technical staff in evaluating players and improving tactical decision-making.
“These technologies will become a fundamental pillar of Algeria’s sports development over the coming years,” he said.
A Fully Connected Matchday Experience
Beyond operational management, Tigharsi believes digital technologies will significantly enhance the supporter experience.
Artificial intelligence combined with ultra-fast connectivity can provide real-time digital services, intelligent parking management, seamless stadium access and personalised commercial offers tailored to individual supporters.
Such innovations would transform stadiums into integrated digital ecosystems capable of meeting the expectations of increasingly connected audiences.
Smart Stadiums Are a Strategic Economic Investment
Tigharsi concluded that the long-term sustainability of Algeria’s sports economy will depend less on clubs’ performances on the pitch than on their ability to monetise their infrastructure effectively.
“The future of Algeria’s sports economy will not depend solely on football results,” he said. “It will depend on whether clubs can transform their stadiums into permanent sources of revenue.”
He argued that Algeria’s challenge is no longer constructing modern facilities but converting them into profitable commercial assets capable of supporting the wider sports industry.
“Smart stadiums are no longer a technological luxury,” Tigharsi concluded. “They are a strategic investment capable of making sport a genuine driver of economic development while accelerating Algeria’s transition towards a digital and innovation-based economy.”
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