Designing Sports Venues for a Post-Pandemic World

Over the past several months, Senior Principals Jeff Keas and Scott Radecic have collaborated with clients and peers to determine how the aftermath of the pandemic will affect stadium design. They recently spoke with Around the Rings’ podcast ATRadio to discuss the current state of sports venues and their predictions for the future.

“As we move into the future of stadium design, what elements of design will remain fairly consistent and what other aspects might we have to look at through a different lens?” says Radecic.

With the creation of the Collegiate Think Tank and Event Round Table, both Radecic and Keas have provided opportunities for their clients to feel heard. Through these discussions, the groups generated ideas that have shifted alongside the ever-evolving pandemic. Now, the two are sifting through which solutions will be temporary and which will be here to stay.

While it may be hard to determine how long “temporary” will last, progress has not stopped. Despite most stadiums not allowing fans for the upcoming seasons, Keas still believes venues are on a positive path to welcoming spectators back in the stands.

“When I see Major League Baseball even with no fans, or the NBA or NHL, I actually get quite excited and quite hopeful that we’re on the road to recovery,” says Keas. “Let’s first let the facilities and leagues prove they can get sport happening again in a safe way, then let’s slowly start adding the spectator component.”

In the meantime, sports venues are transforming, whether to provide in-person fans a safe experience without sacrificing the gameday atmosphere or to provide virtual fans with the fullest sense of normalcy while cheering safely at home. To learn more about how stadium design is adapting, listen to the full podcast.