A stadium is a structure which surrounds a stage or central field where a certain event or game takes place. The structure will hold seating for spectators to view the event, whether sitting or standing. Basically, every seat will give a spectator a complete view of the field, regardless of where he or she is sitting.
Before, stadiums were used for gladiator fights as well as for public executions. Intricate underground tunnels typically had holding areas for animals and slaves.
3 Basic Stadium Designs Today
- Oval – This allows seating all the way round the field. Because of the length of the football field it surrounds, it is oval in shape.
- Horseshoe – This stadium has an opening on one end.
- Open – This has an opening at both ends.
Although a stadium is usually designed to be open-air, newer designs today include sliding or roofs or doom roofs in order to protect the spectators, field, and players from inclement weather.
The seating in a stadium often consist of fold-down seats on terraced rows, beginning at field level, and rising to what is known as the nose-bleed section gradually. Others have standing areas and bleachers for seating. Huge stadiums can accommodate 100,000 individuals while some speedways can seat up to 250,000 people.
These days, this facility can already be used for different events. These include any outdoor or indoor sporting events like basketball, baseball, soccer, football, and track. Some can even be used for job fairs, trade shows, soccer games, and concerts.
Commercialism is a growing trend in the sporting industry. Among corporate sponsors, a hot commodity is stadium naming rights. Corporations today are willing to shell out lots of cash just to name a stadium. In fact, many have several different changes over the years.
Current Trends In Building A New Stadium
This is always a huge undertaking which requires millions of dollars, a vast amount of electricity, and a substantive physical labor for it to be operational. Here are some of the current trends in doing such:
- Designing it as a multipurpose facility so it can generate more income
- Covering it with a retractable roof so no matter what the weather is during a certain event, it can still be held in this facility.
- Make it very sustainable
- Integration of reliable anti-terrorism and security measures
- Providing facilities for everyone, most especially for disable individuals
Apart from that, more importance must also be given to public information and entertainment services, catering facilities, retail sales, private viewing facilities, exhibitions, and toilet facilities.