Attending a sporting event often means battling traffic to find a place to park, waiting in long lines to get refreshments, and sitting in a crowded area. Then, after the game, you rush alongside thousands of people to try to get to your car, out of the parking lot, and back home at a decent time.
Because of this, it’s understandable that some fans would prefer to watch the game from the comfort of their own home. However, future sporting stadiums might make attending the game in person an experience you won’t want to miss.
Small Improvements That Fans Will Appreciate
Current stadium designs have limited comfort features, but it’s likely stadiums of the future will see huge improvements revolving around making the fans feel as comfortable as possible. Some of these upgrades might include:
- More bathrooms complete with modern features such as water softener and filter systems, more stalls to reduce queue times, and televisions to ensure fans don’t miss a thing while waiting in line for the restroom.
- Better, more widespread WiFi access to make it easier for fans to utilize social media platforms, messaging apps, and online sports betting sites.
- More comfortable, spacious seating with space to hold refreshments while you watch the game.
- Multiple large-screen televisions inside the stadium to help ensure fans don’t miss anything happening on the field.
- Outdoor viewing areas designed for fans who prefer tailgating over watching the game from inside the stadium.
Smaller, Sport-Specific Venues That Are Easily Accessible
Massive stadiums built in the 80s and 90s were designed to be multipurpose venues. They host various types of sporting events, as well as concerts.
However, with the cost of building and renovating stadiums constantly on the rise, there’s a good chance you’ll start seeing smaller, sport-specific venues popping up in major metropolitan areas.
In fact, the trend is already starting in the major league soccer industry—the Red Bull Arena in the New York area is a good example.
Another great example of a smaller sport-specific stadium is David Beckham’s soccer stadium in Miami.
The soccer stadium is making headlines, but not because it’s owned by David Beckham or because it’s designed solely for soccer matches. It’s what the stadium doesn’t include that has people talking—parking.
In an effort to eliminate the hassle of traveling to and from the stadium and heavy traffic, the stadium is centrally located so fans can use the Metromover, Metrorail, ridesharing services, or water taxis to get to and from the game. Of course, they always have the option of walking too.
Elaborate Renovations and Custom Designs
On the other end of the spectrum, some stadiums are getting major upgrades and expansions—or entirely new modern stadiums.
For example, the Los Angeles Rams stadium, which is scheduled to open in 2020, has an estimated cost of $2.6 billion, making it the world’s most expensive stadium.
The stadium’s design allows seating for 70,000 people and includes 36,000 perforated aluminum panels that respond to the variable Southern California climate, eliminating the need for an HVAC system.
The new stadium will be shared with the Chargers, who are moving from San Diego to Los Angeles, while the Oakland Raiders are building a massive new stadium in Las Vegas.
Stadiums in other areas of the country are getting massive upgrades too. Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions, is undergoing a $44 million renovation of its interior to improve the experience for fans.
Quicken Loans Arena, which is one of the oldest NBA stadiums in use and home to the Cleveland Cavaliers, is also getting a $140 million refurbishment that expands the stadium’s entrance and exit ways and modernizes the stadium’s exterior.
Whether the stadiums in your area are getting bigger and better or smaller and sport-specific, one thing’s for sure, stadium designers are focused on the comfort and needs of the fans in an effort to increase and maintain attendance.
