Stadium Experience Research Articles

Optimization of Seating Arrangement in Sports Competition Venues Based on Recurrent Graph Neural Network

Seating in sports venues is a type of seating where rows are much more frequent than in other types of auditorium seating. Traditional seating looks to maximize capacity over fan experience. The stadium experience can be enhanced by recommending appropriate seating by viewer’s preferences and past behavior. Group customers would want to sit together when they go to a sports arena, but sometimes there are not enough seats available together. This study's methodology for improving viewing experience by optimizing seating arrangement using game type, historical ticket sales and opponent team is offered in this study as a way to get around this drawback. The data are collected from Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena seating dataset. Afterward, the data are fed to pre-processing. In pre-processing segment, the noise is removed and data is enhanced using Adaptive Robust Cubature Kalman Filter (ARCKF). The outcome from the pre-processing data is transferred to the Recurrent Graph Neural Network (RecGNN).The reserved seating, bowl seating and stadium seating are successfully classified by using RecGNN. RecGNN's weight parameter is optimized by the Lotus Effect Optimization Algorithm (LEA). On the Python working platform, the proposed RecGNN-LEA is implemented. The proposed strategy is analyzed using performance measures including recall, f1-score, accuracy, precision, and computation time. RecGNN's weight parameter is optimized by the Lotus Effect Optimization Algorithm (LEA). On the Python working platform, the proposed RecGNN-LEA is implemented. The proposed method is analyzed using performance measures including recall, f1-score, accuracy, precision, and computation time. The gained results of the proposed RecGNN-LEA method attains higher accuracy of 16.61%, 18.89%, and 17.92%, higher sensitivity of 16.37%, 12.23%, and 18.56% and higher precision of 14.81%, 16.79%, and 18.23%. The proposed SASCV-RecGNN-LEA method is compared with the existing methods such as SASCV-CNN, SASCV-LaRSA, and SASCV-TDNN models respectively.

Sports Visualization in the Wild: The Impact of Technical Factors on User Experience in Augmented Reality Sports Spectating.

The maturity of Augmented Reality (AR) technology allows for expansion into real-world applications, including visualizations for on-site sports spectating. However, it's crucial to understand the factors influencing user experience in AR applications. To optimize user experience, we conducted a user study where participants adjusted parameters to determine noticeable and disruptive values of latency, registration accuracy, and jitter using a mobile indirect AR prototype that simulates a rugby stadium experience. Our findings indicate that latency has the highest disruptive impact on users' experience, with registration accuracy following closely. Furthermore, when noticeable latency, registration accuracy, and jitter were combined, the user experience was negatively affected in a non-linear, combinatorial manner. This suggests that addressing factors individually is necessary but not enough for successful user experiences. By understanding these factors, developers can optimize AR experiences when creating immersive AR sports experiences and other large-scale AR applications to ensure maximum enjoyment for users.

Women’s volleyball demand across different distribution channels

ABSTRACT Research question In this study, we add to the slowly emerging literature on modeling the demand for women's sports by exploring the robustness of the determinants for women's volleyball – previously a largely neglected team sport – across three different distribution channels, i.e. online streaming, TV broadcasts, and the stadium experience. Research methods We exploit a data set containing information on consumer interest in the German Women's Volleyball League (VBL) in 2019. In line with the literature on modeling consumer interest in sports, we estimate on-/offline audiences and spectator demand, in terms of semi-elasticity, by Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regressions. Results We find that volleyball demand is relatively stable across two of the three distribution channels (i.e. online streaming and TV broadcasts) and, to a lesser degree, the stadium experience. This pattern is particularly problematic for a niche sport's online streaming offerings that, often initiated with high hopes, seem to attract only a fraction of the otherwise relatively strong consumer interest in the sport's TV offerings. Implications While we believe that future research is well-advised to add nuance to the analysis of (women’s) sports demand across different distribution channels, our results also suggest that sporting bodies should carefully weigh the pros and cons of an exclusively online distribution strategy.

The Effect of the Raiders’ Relocation to Las Vegas on Residential Property Values

We examine the effect of National Football League’s Raiders organization relocation from Oakland, California to Las Vegas, Nevada on real estate properties. We focus on residential properties in Las Vegas, and two key dates: the announcement of relocation and inauguration of the Allegiant stadium. Using data from the Clark County Assessor’s Office, we employ a hedonic pricing model for single-family residential properties. Our results show differential effects across space and values. Residential properties closer to the stadium experience positive effects of the announcement, while those farther way experience negative effects. The effect of the across the conditional distribution is downward slopping for the announcement suggesting positive effects for properties in lower tail of the conditional distribution and negative effects for those in the upper tail. The inauguration has overall no statistically significant effect, suggesting the gap in prices from the announcement is closed.

Exploring the accessibility of sport stadia for people with disability: towards the development of a Stadium Accessibility Scale (SAS)

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to synthesise existing literature on sports stadia, spectators with disabilities (SwD) and accessibility to identify themes and to highlight the gaps in the literature. This review subsequently develops two propositions that will enable research in this emerging area to further develop.Design/methodology/approachThe research was guided by two research questions: First, what does the peer reviewed evidence tell us about SwD and the accessibility of sporting stadia?; Second, how can this information be used to develop a Stadium Accessibility Scale (SAS)? The authors conducted a rapid review of the literature across three databases that identified 34 papers for synthesis.FindingsThe synthesis revealed three research themes: a focus on legislative compliance, the need to enhance resources (both physical and human) and research that focusses on moving beyond the stadium experience. The latter can be subdivided into two streams – studies that look at accessibility as a social legacy of major events and studies that seek to understand the whole journey that SwD's must make to attend sport events.Research limitations/implicationsThe study makes two key recommendations. The first is to encourage further research aligned to the HOPES framework (Paramio-Salcines et al., 2016) that explicitly recognises the importance of understanding the broader approach to the customer experience. The second is the need for the development and validation of a reliable SAS.Originality/valueGreater accessibility provides a foundation for inclusive environments in sport. The findings are relevant for all stakeholders in sport as universal accessibility benefits more than people with disabilities.

Impact Analysis of a Virtual Stadium: Measuring Sport in the Metaverse

As sports teams enter the metaverse through launching virtual versions of their home stadiums, there is a pressing need to reimagine the stadium experience and how virtual stadiums differ from their physical counterparts. This review establishes a foundation for crucial conversations that can shape future research and managerial practice amidst an emerging trend in the sport industry.

Live sport during the COVID-19 crisis: fans as creative broadcasters

The hiatus in stadium spectatorship due to the COVID-19 pandemic presents us with a unique opportunity to rethink the way sport fans participate in the making of live events. Some sport leagues have resumed, with others to follow, but the stadium experience has profoundly changed as fans cannot gather in the galleries until the spread of coronavirus is arrested. How can sport broadcasters continue to engage fans and mitigate the problem of the empty stadium? We argue that creative harnessing of user-generated content and integration of online and offline fandom can help broadcasters present sport in a much more attractive manner during and after the pandemic.

Stadium experience and word-of-mouth: a panel data analysis of national A-team men’s football matches in Denmark, 2013–17

ABSTRACT Rationale/Purpose: In this paper we utilize unique spectator level data from fifteen Danish national men’s A-team football matches in the period 2013–17. Design/methodology/approach: We test several regression models with our dependent variable being a scale measuring each individual respondent’s inclination to recommend national matches to friends and colleagues through word-of-mouth. Findings: The model output identify the players’ contribution, atmosphere, and spectators’ impression of the match stewards as the most important factors driving our word-of-mouth measure in a positive direction. Other factors such as food, drinks, and toilet facilities are positive but of less importance. Practical implications: The results indicate that among strong predictors are variables which are within the reach of management. Research Contribution: The paper adds to existing research on spectator demand by focussing on national A-team matches.

Changes in Stadium Sports Spectators Customer Experiences

Over the centuries, in most countries of the world, stadiums have changed and evolved, and with it, the behaviour and ways of experience of their visitors and spectators have certainly transformed. With improvements in-home entertainment systems and internet connectivity occurring all the time, sports fans have a greater capacity to build themselves a viewing experience that fits their preferred specifications, right in the comfort wherever they are: airplane, hotel, office, or their own room. Subsequently, sports stadiums are in the process of challenge and technological evolution, including implementation of various innovations. It attempts to create smooth, strong impressive experience and appeals to attract spectators out of their mediatory watching and to bring them into the stadium, wherever it is situated. In the current paper we investigate and review the critical areas and identify the phenomena of transformations addresses to deliver a next-generation stadium experience that is affective enough to compete with the cost, comfort, impressions benefits of “mobile” spectatorship (Thomson, Potter, 2017). A multidimensional content analysis (Tharenou, 2010) of collected data let us outline the key area of stadium technological transformation, referring to the customer-centric approach (McAlexander et al., 2002; Zaky & Neely, 2018). We define and outline the key areas of changes in SSCX in order to better predict their nature, courses and impact, projecting future perspective research directions.

The Gillette Stadium Experience: A Retrospective Review of Mass Gathering Events From 2010 to 2015.

Mass gathering events can substantially impact public safety. Analyzing patient presentation and transport rates at various mass gathering events can help inform staffing models and improve preparedness. A retrospective review of all patients seeking medical attention across a variety of event types at a single venue with a capacity of 68,756 from January 2010 through September 2015. We examined 232 events with a total of 8,260,349 attendees generating 8157 medical contacts. Rates were 10 presentations and 1.6 transports per 10,000 attendees with a non-significant trend towards increased rates in postseason National Football League games. Concerts had significantly higher rates of presentation and transport than all other event types. Presenting concern varied significantly by event type and gender, and transport rate increased predictably with age. For cold weather events, transport rates increased at colder temperatures. Overall, on-site physicians did not impact rates. At a single venue hosting a variety of events across a 6-year period, we demonstrated significant variations in presentation and transport rates. Weather, gender, event type, and age all play important roles. Our analysis, while representative only of our specific venue, may be useful in developing response plans and staffing models for similar mass gathering venues. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:752-758).

An Evolving Experience: An Investigation of the Impact of Sporting Event Factors on Spectator Satisfaction

ABSTRACTThe sport stadium experience continues to evolve around the world, with elements such as food, music, stadium lighting, and enhanced scoreboards becoming more prevalent. The current study investigated four factors of the stadium experience within sport managers’ control – the physical facility, facility electronics, team traditions, and concessions – in relation to the uncontrollable factor of team competition, to determine their impact on spectator satisfaction. Utilizing an international sample of 255 sport fans, hierarchical regression analysis showed the facility, electronic, team traditions, and team competition factors were significant predictors of spectator satisfaction. The concessions factor, meanwhile, did not predict spectator satisfaction. Differences across sports and geographic regions were also investigated, but no differences were found. Implications of these results are discussed, and recommendations for future research are provided.

Does Quest for Entertainment and Socialization Attract Football Fans to Stadium? Insights from Ghana

This paper delved into the twin factors of socialization and entertainment as key factors influencing attendees’ patronage of football matches at the stadium. The study was undertaken against the backdrop of calls to introduce strategies that can have social and entertainment impacts on fans as an attraction to sway fans to stadiums. Whilst socialization and entertainment has helped fuel attendance in other countries, the influence of these factors has yet to be empirically tested appreciably within the context of sub Saharan Africa. Earlier theoretical models and empirical works were critically appraised. The research used a qualitative approach to build in-depth understanding of fans attendance motivation as a factor of socialization and entertainment. Data was gathered using semi structured interviews to draw responses from seven participants with data analysed based on content analysis. The Researcher found that socialization is crucial in influencing attendance. The influence of friends, the Researcher found also impacts on fans decision to attend games. Entertainment also influences young fans to watch football matches at the stadium but the study discovered fans beyond the youth age bracket are not enthused about entertainment in stadiums. Fans attendance can be boosted by adding more social constructs to add to stadium experience and the youth can be targeted to prop up their attendance by promoting performance of artiste at the stadium.

The Social Phenomenon of Football: German ultras as political players? An analysis of the protest against the ‘Secure Stadium Experience’

The Social Phenomenon of Football: German ultras as political players? An analysis of the protest against the ‘Secure Stadium Experience’

Welcome to Nassau Mausoleum: A Case Study of Hockey Telecasts From ESPN’s Worst “Stadium Experience”

This article uses a case-study approach to develop an understanding of how framing on game telecasts can increase the brand equity of sports venues. In 2014, ESPN ranked the NHL’s New York Islanders last in “stadium experience” among all 122 teams in the 4 major North American sports leagues. Given the Islanders’ looming relocation, the 2014–15 NHL season afforded the last opportunity to consider how telecasts would portray the team’s arena, Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island. Based on a textual analysis of Islanders telecasts, 2 frames emerged: atmosphere (loud cheering and tributes to veterans) and nostalgia (famous moments and players from the arena’s history). Teams that play in poorly regarded venues can encourage broadcasters to employ frames such as atmosphere and nostalgia to increase attendance and sales of venue-related merchandise.

Confirmatory factor analysis for indicators of perceived environmental quality of the stadium (IPEQS).

Studies conducted in the 1980s (see Canter et al. in Football in its place. An environmental psychology of football grounds. Routledge, London, 1989) highlighted the prominent role of the spatial-physical features of football grounds in influencing users' perception of safety, comfort, and general satisfaction towards the stadium experience. In particular, the importance of fulfilling the spectators' needs of personal space (e.g. presence of an open view, proper distance between the seats) and movement opportunity was analysed. The aim of this study is to confirm the factorial structure of a set of indicators--the IPEQS--concerning the perceived quality of an array of aspects (i.e. architectural, social, functional, and safety issues) related to the stadium design. Participants (N = 255), who were selected on the basis of their stadium experience, filled in a self-report questionnaire measuring a set of indicators developed on the basis of both validated tools [i.e. the perceived residential environment quality indicators (PREQIs): Bonaiuto et al. in J Environ Psychol 19:331-352, 1999] and outcomes of semi-structured interviews. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were performed for each scale, and reliability assessments were then carried out for each indicator. IPEQS' factorial structures found through the CFA procedure substantially confirm the results of exploratory factor analyses run with previous data. Outcomes of this study should provide a useful tool for managers and designers of football grounds, in order to improve the overall experience of the spectators.

Driven to Distraction: Turkish Diaspora Football Supporters, New Media and the Politics of Place-Making

This article explores how new media forms linked to the internet are feeding into the generation of community. It looks specifically at the place-making practices of a transnational group of football fans, European supporters of the Turkish club team Beşiktaş.I trace the mediations of two common football fan practices: the singing of chants and the display of banners. Adopting a multi-sited ethnographic approach, I track their circulation. While remaining part of the stadium experience, the chant and the banner have a prolonged life as digital objects. Fans combine them with new media practices, using them to expanding the array of places and means by which they can be Beşiktaş fans. The politics of building a transnational fan community is increasingly predicated on mediating between ‘virtual’ and ‘actual’ spaces. Success is measured through an individual's ability to intervene successfully on both the terrace and the Facebook page. This in turn requires a new form of interaction amongst fans, one based around a sense of distracted tactility. I conclude by suggesting the need to refigure the benchmarks by which we judge the affective relationships of fans. The sociology of sport can be refreshed through paying closer attention to the production of space, the materiality of internet media, and the sensate dimensions of the fan experience.

One of the boys: female fans’ responses to the masculine and phallocentric nature of football stadiums in Zimbabwe

Studies of football fandom from across the world all highlight masculine and misogynistic tendencies amongst the fans, players and administrators who populate football stadiums. Domination of men's football spaces by men makes stadiums hostile environments for women who are often physically and verbally abused. This paper outlines the experiences of female fans who attend matches in Zimbabwe. It provides a nuanced analysis of female fans’ responses to the masculine and phallocentric nature of the football stadium. In Zimbabwe female fans are increasing in number, challenging the dominant belief that stadiums are no-go areas for women. Using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 40 female fans, the paper highlights how women react, negotiate and respond to misogynistic and vulgar songs and chants. This research in Zimbabwe brings to the fore the voices of female fans and how they construct the stadium experience. The paper draws from in-depth interviews and focus group discussions to highlight how female fans cope with masculine nature of stadiums. Women use various strategies such as joining in the singing, remaining oblivious, sitting in quieter parts of the stadium and responding to abusers.

A New Approach to Stadium Experience: The Dynamics of the Sensoryscape, Social Interaction, and Sense of Home

The purpose of this study was to develop a reliable, valid instrument of the sensory experiences of sport attendees. The initial scale development study (N = 263) identified 22-items to represent five dimensions of the sensoryscape. The Sensoryscape scale was confirmed as a reliable scale using CFA. SEM was used in a study of scale validity. The sensoryscape, social interaction, and sense of home each had a positive, direct impact on fans’ satisfaction for both major (N = 259) and minor (N = 218) league venues. Satisfaction with the stadium experience, in turn, had a positive, direct impact on intention to revisit. Similar models were confirmed for both contexts; however the magnitude of effects varied. Implications for sport marketing practice and future research are discussed.

Measurement and Management of the Sportscape

The physical environment of the stadium may have a significant effect on the extent to which spectators will desire to stay and return to the stadium. Specific aspects of the stadium experience may lead directly to spectators' pleasure with the place, while other factors may contribute to negative feelings that may decrease pleasure. This study provides sports facility managers with a reliable survey instrument to determine how spectators perceive their facility. Recommendations are provided to guide stadium owners and managers in the effective management of the facility to maximize spectator satisfaction.

The Effects of Team Loyalty and Selected Stadium Factors on Spectator Attendance

Having loyal fans and a winning team generally results in higher attendance at games. However, university and professional team administrators are beginning to recognize the importance of marketing the stadium experience as more than just the game. Drawing from data collected from spectators at five Southeastern Conference football stadiums, the effects of team loyalty, stadium parking, stadium cleanliness, perceived crowding, food service, and fan behavior control on spectators' desire to stay and attend games at the stadium were investigated. Covariance structural modeling (e.g., LISREL) was employed to test the causal relationships among the hypothesized relationships. The results support the premise that although team loyalty strongly affects attendance, stadium design and stadium services also directly influence spectators' desire to stay, and hence, attend games at the stadium.