Stadium designers

Is there a virtual future for sports stadiums?

The global pandemic, COVID-19, is shaping the way we live our everyday lives - from Zoom business meetings to virtual museum tours. In the technology-led world we live in, virtual activities are slowly but surely replacing real life social activities.

For some sectors, it may be highly beneficial to offer their services in a virtual way, however for sports stadiums – this is still a contentious issue.

To some, watching sport is an experience, from the smells and cold hard seats to the cheering alongside fellow fans. There is also a deep connection with their local sports stadium that can only be felt when stood in the stands, rather than in a virtual way.

But stadiums around the world fell silent back in March 2019. A normal match day for international sports stadiums can attract around 90,000 fans – is it possible to provide an experience that could connect with fans in the same way and recreate the atmosphere they so love?

A high percentage of top sports stadiums are also starting to offer experiences beyond matches, such as meet and greets, stadium tours, spaces for corporate/celebration events – which again, if these experiences were offered in a more virtual way, would the value of the experience dramatically drop?

Below is a video of two Chelsea FC season ticket holders who miss watching the live matches at Stamford Bridge – Telecoms Company Three presents: Back to the Bridge. Three recreates the excitement of a stadium during a game – is this our future?

As leading experience and sports stadium designers, we like to keep up with the latest trends and adapt our designs to fit the current demand of visitors and clients. If you have a sports stadium project in mind, contact us.