3 ways to optimize the post-pandemic stadium experience [2022 update]

Across multiple industries we’re seeing how the pandemic is changing the way we act in otherwise familiar environments. As an example, corporate offices are shifting from traditional productivity hubs to instead become collaboration centers and are introducing hybrid working in a much more prominent sense than we’ve seen it before. 

Larger venues such as stadiums are likewise experiencing a need for changes to prepare for the post-pandemic challenges that are bound to affect the industry. Experts hope and expect to see full stadiums in 2021, but in order for that to happen, stadiums should be looking into how they can safely welcome fans back into the venues. In this blog we’ll share with you three ways to optimize the stadium experience while keeping a focus on distance and safety.

Enforce social distancing

Whether we like or not, we still need to keep the pandemic in mind, and with it, social distancing. In order to enforce social distancing at the stadium, it can be necessary to remove some of the space between seated fans. Needless to say, more distance between fans might result in a somewhat more empty experience for fans and thus, it’s important to be able to quickly adjust the stadium seating arrangements to match with current restrictions.

With a dynamic mapping platform it becomes possible to update the seating layout and block seats without having to physically add more or remove seats. This offers a more flexible and more efficient planning of seating arrangements as it becomes easier to adjust to oftenly changing regulations.

MapsIndoors is a dynamic mapping platform that offers easy customization of the seating layout of your stadium so it’s possible to quickly adjust to allow more or fewer available seats. In addition to distancing challenges, the platform supports profile-based routing, which allows you to decide and control which guests have access to the different parts of the stadium. This can help control the people flow by, for instance, giving guests in block A access to areas that are restricted to guests in block B. If guests search for a point of interest (POI) that is located in a restricted area, they will be notified of this and given the opportunity to choose another POI.

In-seat delivery

Another way to reduce people crowding together at concession stands and at the same time take the guests' stadium experience to the next level is to introduce in-seat delivery. A report by Oracle shows that a large number of fans (70% in China, 62% in the US, 55% in Germany and France, and 52% in the UK) would “probably use” or “definitely use” in-seat ordering if available. Fans come to the stadiums to enjoy sports games or concerts and don’t want to miss out on anything that happens on the field. Thus they prefer visiting concession stands before the game begins and during breaks. This leaves stadiums with long periods of time where they don’t sell as much as they potentially could.

By offering in-seat delivery guests can - during all times of the show - easily order food or drinks through the app and have it delivered to them without having to worry about missing anything.

Utilize stadium apps

Have you ever used your smartphone during a visit to a stadium? If so, you’re not the only one. Seventy percent of stadium visitors use their smartphones during games. This means arenas must have the capacity to sustain thousands of fans accessing their Wi-Fi at once without significant slowdown. This also provides a ripe opportunity for arena operators to control the fan experience and entertainment directly via their mobile devices. To fully take advantage, stadiums can create and utilize their own apps.

Users can access stadium information, such as, besides our previously mentioned MapsIndoors navigation based features, game and event schedules, seating maps, and amenity locations. Many apps also provide stats on the current game as well as the latest news about the squad. Access to this “second screen” of match data is a growing trend for stadium attendees. The future of stadium apps’ match data includes instant video replays, heart rate and fitness information of players on the field, and even live imagery that rivals the many angles and perspectives of television productions. 

If you want to discover more ways MapsIndoors can help you enhance your stadium and prepare it for the future, we suggest you take a look at our 2021 Stadium Guide: How to Monetize Fans and Keep Them Safe Without Ruining The Fan Experience. Download it in the link below.