Modern sports facilities are more than just venues for games; they are dynamic, high-tech environments designed to enhance the fan experience while ensuring safety, sustainability, and operational efficiency. From expansive seating arrangements and acoustically engineered designs to advanced security measures and sustainability initiatives, stadium facilities management has evolved to meet the needs of modern sports fans, athletes, and event partners.

The Evolution of Stadium Facilities Management

In the past, stadiums were simple structures that hosted multiple types of events, from baseball and football to boxing and rodeos. Today, these venues are multifunctional entertainment hubs featuring luxury suites, exclusive lounges, high-end dining experiences, and immersive digital displays. Facilities managers must ensure that everything from the scoreboard to the restrooms operates seamlessly, contributing to an exceptional fan experience.

According to Fletcher Coffman, senior director of operations for the NFL’s Washington Commanders, “What people watching games on TV don’t realize is the sheer magnitude of sports facility operations. We operate just like any large-scale facility. We have chillers, boilers, and hundreds of pieces of equipment—all of which must function to make these places safe, comfortable, and secure for fans. Bottom line? We must make sure everything is perfect for the 60,000 to 80,000 fans before, during, and after every event.”

Safety & Security Innovations

With large crowds gathering for sporting events, safety is paramount. Modern stadiums have implemented advanced security measures, including:

• Biometric Access Control: Facial recognition and fingerprint scanners streamline access for authorized personnel while enhancing security.
• Drones for Surveillance: Security teams use drones equipped with cameras to monitor crowds, parking lots, and perimeter areas.
• AI-Enabled CCTV Systems: Advanced surveillance systems detect suspicious behavior, unattended items, and overcrowding, allowing for immediate intervention.
• Smart Signage and Traffic Flow Management: Digital wayfinding solutions help direct fans efficiently, reducing congestion and improving the overall experience.

“Providing a sense of security allows fans to cherish the memories,” said Mark Herrera, director of safety and security for the International Association of Venue Managers. Ensuring well-lit pathways, clear evacuation routes, and visible security personnel all contribute to a safe and enjoyable event experience.

Sustainability in Stadium Operations

Sustainability is a growing priority in sports facilities management. Stadiums like Climate Pledge Arena, Lincoln Financial Field, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium have achieved LEED certification and adopted ISO 20121 sustainability standards. Some key innovations in sustainable stadium management include:

• Eliminating Single-Use Products: Many venues are switching to refillable containers for soap, cleaning supplies, and beverages.
• Water Conservation Efforts: Installing low-flow plumbing fixtures, waterless urinals, and using cisterns to collect and reuse rainwater.
• Energy Efficiency Upgrades: Retrofitting all light fixtures to LED lights, replacing boilers with tankless water heaters, and using electric-powered equipment for maintenance tasks.
• Sustainable Turf Management: Artificial turf systems now incorporate recycled pellets, and natural turf fields use soil temperature sensors and drone heat mapping for optimized irrigation.

According to Katie Gavitt from the Green Sports Alliance, “By implementing water conservation techniques, using electric-powered maintenance machines, and reducing single-use products, stadiums are significantly cutting their environmental footprint.”

Innovations are coming from lower-tier leagues, too, like the Frontier League, which are implementing these best practices:

• Composting program to minimize waste from food and beverage operations.
• Using QR codes posted throughout the ballpark, which allows fans to anonymously alert security to potential issues or disruptive fans.
• Stadiums which feature an artificial playing surface with a portable pitching mound to allow for easy conversion for non-sports functions such as concerts, ethnic heritage festivals, or art fairs.

Public/private sports foundations, like the Maryland SoccerPlex, which is the third-largest tourist attraction in Maryland, are innovating, too, in the following ways:

• Adding shade structures for climate change.
• Using auto-drive tractors and robotic painters to increase efficiency.
• Replacing boilers with tankless hot water heaters.
• Utilizing inground data collection devices to monitor grass and soil health.

“As a facility manager, you must be thinking about sustainability and the impact of climate change now. Addressing issues and impacts now will save you money, time, and resources later,” said Matt Libber from the Maryland SoccerPlex.

Barry Jacobson, a retired Disney executive and stadium facility consultant, addressed the importance of consistency, technology, and showing appreciation for stadium operations teams who may number in the hundreds.

“Your job is to connect fans to the brand by delivering a quality experience both inside and outside the stadium—even small details are important like having timers on hot dogs to maintain freshness and never deliver a soggy bun,” he said. To support consistency, Jacobson suggested that stadium facility teams should use maintenance checklists and checking systems for fan safety and comfort.

To show appreciation for the thousands of stadium operations team members, Jacobson once organized a pep rally before a big game specifically for employees to ensure they understood their role in creating an exceptional experience. He also said teams can drive engagement by doing fun things like using AI to drop fan photos into vintage sports videos, placing fans right into the action.

The Critical Role Facilities Managers Play in Preventive Maintenance

Because stadium facilities teams are constantly in motion, overseeing equipment maintenance, checking signage, repairing seating, lighting, special effects, and keeping restaurants, bars, and VIP areas clean and welcoming, the ability to map and pin key locations inside and outside the stadium needing attention using mobile devices is valuable for effective sports facilities management.

Also, since many stadiums like Fenway Park and Wrigley Field have been renovated multiple times over the years, having historic blueprints in hand via mobile devices helps stadium teams quickly find shut-offs located in unexpected places.

Michael Gammill from the University of Tulsa leads the preventive maintenance program on all of the university’s venues—which is a challenge with older stadiums.

He said, “All equipment needs to have a 10-year replace or lift-up plan. Often, these venues are mothballed for months and then run 100 mph for eight weeks straight. This is a lot like taking the ole hot rod out on those tires with less than 1,000 miles on them, but they have been weather rotting for five years.”

Gammill offered suggestions about how sports facilities managers can balance the demand for high-tech, fan-friendly amenities with rising pressures to operate sustainably and reduce environmental footprints.

“Take small bites and make intentional upgrades to utilize your capital improvement budget to move in the direction of sustainability, whether it’s utilizing recycled material or upgrading to high-performing lighting systems. Build strategic plans that extend out 10 years to keep the team on track regardless of turnover or leadership changes,” he said.

Enhancing Stadium Safety & Security

Because threats from disasters should always be top of mind, here are seven key steps that stadium teams can implement.

1. Security Screening: Implement thorough security screening procedures at entry points, including bag checks and metal detectors, to prevent prohibited items from entering the venue. Parking is also a big part of security and the general flow of traffic during events and should be on the radar of stadium facilities teams.

2. Visible Security Presence: Increase the visibility of security personnel throughout the venue to deter potential threats and provide reassurance to fans. This includes uniformed security guards, law enforcement officers, and trained personnel.

4. Crisis Readiness or Emergency Response Planning: Develop and regularly update comprehensive emergency response plans that cover various scenarios, including medical emergencies, natural disasters like earthquakes, and security breaches. Conduct regular drills and training exercises to ensure staff readiness.

5. Crowd Management: Using AI crowd monitoring cameras can provide real-time information to predict overcrowding to allow staff to intervene and redirect fans to different stadium access points. At Disney, teams utilized mobile app pre-ordering to reduce congestion at peak periods at quick-service restaurants that are just like concession stands in a stadium. Contactless payment systems and smart concessions are another way to avoid long lines.

6. Communication Channels: Communication should begin in advance of a fan’s arrival at your venue. Using mobile alerts with simple, direct language keeps your fan base apprised of various content, including emergency procedures, merchandise, concession locations, and even stats on their favorite player. Communication for the staff is also paramount with pre-game huddles and real-time communication updates throughout the game to allow your team to be aware of actions they may need to take to support the fan experience.

7. Partnerships for Fan Safety: First responders, law enforcement, and all stadium teams should be working together to ensure fan safety is a No. 1 priority. Establishing training and drills that prepare for emergency situations is paramount so that everyone knows exactly how to react. Communication, collaboration, and a clear chain of command in the event of an emergency will allow for an enhanced secure environment that focuses on public safety and response.

Jack Rubinger is the marketing content writer for facility solutions provider ARC Facilities. He can be reached at [email protected].

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