The battle for sports fan hots up

The battle for sports fan hots upAs new sporting stadiums around the nation start to take shape, we look at how clever design and smart technology can turn anyone into a sports fanatic.It’s the lifeblood of our culture, and according to market analyst Neilsen, 86 per cent of Australians are interested in sport. That makes for a big audience – which is why governments continue to invest in sporting stadiums that attract the big crowds.In Sydney, the Baird Government is funding a major rebuild of ANZ Stadium, which will see it transformed into a new rectangular arena with a retractable roof. Work on the $1.6 billion project will begin by 2019, subject to the government buying out the private sector owner Stadium Australia.Meanwhile, a new 30,000-seat rectangular stadium at Parramatta is underway, with work to demolish the existing facility imminent. Premier Mike Baird has said the new stadium will have the steepest stands in the country, overtaking Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.Over on the West Coast, the race is on for the new Perth Stadium to host the third Ashes Test next summer. Construction of the $1.57 billion venue is currently ahead of schedule. At capacity, Perth Stadium will seat 60,000 for footy games, 65,000 for rectangular sports and 55,000 for cricket.And in Townsville, the ink is dry on Australia’s first City Deal, which includes a new stadium. The Palaszczuk Government has stumped up $140 million, the federal government has committed $100 million and the local council has promised to supply the land. The principal contractor is expected to be announced within a matter of weeks.But is it a case of “if we build it they will come”? Not necessarily.Getting people away from the comfort of home – in which sports fans can watch multiple games at once, freeze and rewind plays, and grab snacks without having to battle long queues – is a huge challenge around the world. And this means stadium stylists have had to rethink their designs. Today, it’s all about the experience.The key is creating an atmosphere that attracts everyone. From parking to seating, lighting to internet access – everything is under consideration when it comes to enhancing the fan experience.American football team the Minnesota Vikings recently moved into a new $1.1 billion home which features 1,300 Wi-Fi hotspots and a distributed antenna system so sports fans can stay connected with their friends via smartphone. The Texas Rangers are installing air-conditioning in a new $1 billion ballpark and entertainment hub. Fans will be able to view games from a retail and restaurant zone, while the complex also includes a convention centre and hotel.Some stadiums in the States are looking at ‘Uber stations’ where drivers can drop off their passengers before an event and then pick them up afterwards.Other stadium projects are being treated as opportunities to redesign the shape of a city. When the new stadium in China’s Hangzhou opens later in the year, it will accommodate up to 80,000 people at a time. But the design team, led by architecture firm NBBJ, has carefully considered the role of the sports park in the context of the city’s urban expansion.”The issue is not about how to sustain a large stadium commercially between games, but is about how a massive stadium can lead a two million sqm mixed-use commercial program in a green park setting, form a future urban centre, and redefine a new lifestyle,” Robert Mankin, the sports practice director at NBBJ, has said.Back in Australia, the designers of Perth Stadium are responding to all these trends, and a ‘fans first’ approach to planning and design promises to offer an electric atmosphere and cutting-edge technology. The stadium will feature Wi-Fi coverage, two 340 sqm video screens and more than 1,000 smaller screens throughout the interior so fans never miss the action.Hard concrete benches and exposure to the elements will be a thing of the past. A lightweight fabric roof will cover 85 per cent of all seats – each of them a roomy centimetres wide. And cup holders will be included in every seat.The stadium will be integrated within a broader sports precinct, with more than 70 cafes, alfresco dining, playgrounds, community spaces and other infrastructure. Thirteen different ticketing options – the widest range of any stadium in Australia – will span everything from general admission through to premium ‘experiences’. These include the Field Club which gives fans the chance to watch players warm up and view the post-match media conference, the Coaches Club which provides audio streaming from the coaches’ boxes, and the Sky View Lounge, which offers panoramic views of both the game and the city.While trends in technology, user experience and urbanisation keep the goal posts moving, arenas can act as catalysts for urban regeneration and become community anchors that add real value to our cities.Image courtesy of Perth Stadiums