Tottenham’s new stadium will have a 58,000 capacity, with the ground designed to seat spectators close to the pitch to maximise its atmosphere.

“Having the fans up close can lift the team,” said striker Robbie Keane.

The full planning application for the new ground, which will be adjacent to their current White Hart Lane stadium, is due in the next few months.

The new plans also include a 150-room hotel as well as a public square that could be used for community events.

“Too often new stadiums are surrounded by empty, dead space and we did not want that in Tottenham,” said Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.

“Instead, with these new plans for the public square and public space, we have embraced the opportunity to create something truly special for local people.”

The public space could be used for a temporary ice rink or street markets.

The latest plans will be revealed as part of a second public consultation, taking place from 2 to 7 April.

In this stadium geek’s opinion, New York is now home to one of America’s best ballparks and a very worthy contender. As opposed to one classic aging cathedral and one dump, as we used to have.

I’ve been to a home game for every team in Major League Baseball. I plan whole vacations around what city’s teams are home. So this weekend was Nirvana for me — I got to take a baseball trip and all I needed was a MetroCard.

The Yankees and Mets went in radically different directions with their parks – and in both cases appropriately so.

The new Yankee Stadium is a stadium. No one will ever mistake it for a quaint “field” or “park.” I’m sure that’s exactly how George wanted it.

Aside from darker seats, a wider profile and the Jumbotron, it’s remarkable how similar it feels to the old place — especially when watching the game. Keeping the field dimensions the same was a stroke of genius. If you don’t look up from the field, you can imagine you’re still across the street, only in a slightly better seat. That’s a win in my book.

Highlights? The Great Hall is a remarkable first impression. The near-360 viewing on every level is a terrific touch. The Bleachers Café porch will be a popular standing room spot. The backstop area is barely there, so the best seats are right on top of the action.

Lowlights? There are huge nails poking through the metal ceiling above the grandstand (leading to leaks). The out-of-town scoreboard leaves a lot to be desired (for a proper one, see Citi Field’s — it’s right up there with PNC Park in Pittsburgh as the best).

courtesy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/edogisgod/

For the Mets, Citi Field is and needed to be (and couldn’t not be, really) a 180-degree departure from Shea. Its cousins are the “retro” parks, like Citizens Bank and Turner Field. Any baseball fan will appreciate the mini-homages to Ebbets Field, the Polo Grounds and Tiger Stadium.

Highlights? The open-air hallways (great on a 90-degree day, frigid yesterday!). The unusual outfield wall patterns will lead to wonderful caroms (and many an argument). The prices are right — food and beverages are, by my estimation, about a buck cheaper than the same fare at Yankee Stadium. The “bridge” in the outfield is a perfect touch.

Lowlights? There are too many seats too far away in the outfield that aren’t priced accordingly. My Caesars “club” seat had obstructed views of the scoreboards and right-field corner (understandable for a $5 bleacher seat, not for a premium offering). Large infield foul territory pushes back the best seats.

courtesy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/drosenthal/

Overall, Yankee Stadium was a bit more unique. The only place remotely like it is Seattle’s Safeco Field (with the added touch that they both have trains rumbling by during games). I slot the new Stadium right behind Wrigley, Fenway, PNC and Safeco on my list. Citi Field’s in the top 10 and is still a terrific place to see a game.

Enjoy them, New York.