Research just published by Arup reveals that a massive 49% of fans would like to see more comfortable, spacious seating at sports and entertainment venues.

Arup surveyed over 2,000 spectators in the UK as part of their “venues of the future” survey. Fans also named Wembley Stadium, The O2, Centre Court at Wimbledon and Lords Cricket Ground as the UK’s most iconic venues.

While outstanding comfort and sightlines provide the very best experience for fans, this must be balanced against the operational needs of the venue. We’ve summarised a few typical concerns below, along with some suggested solutions.

Maximising Capacity: “Rail mounted” chairs are an ideal solution here for both sports and entertainment venues. With chairs clamped to a continuous rail, chair spacing can be infinitely adjusted allowing the very maximum capacity to be achieved. Rail mounted chairs are also faster to install, and can be respaced should the needs of the venue change. And fewer legs mean faster cleaning .

Flexibility: Clearly retractable and removable seating are needed in many multipurpose entertainment venues, but how to integrate them without compromising on comfort? Audience Systems’ range includes the Espace 628 chair family, currently being manufactured for SMG’s Leeds Arena. This stylish chairs can be used in all areas of a venue – fixed, retractable and removable. Audience Systems’ latest retractable chair is Recital – which takes comfort one step further, offering all the features of a theatre chair on retractable platforms.

Consistency: Why should spectators squashed into stacking banqueting chairs on the arena floor pay the same as those on the comfortable seats up in the circle? The O2 Arena have used Audience Systems’ Matrix system to ensure that comfort is not compromised in the “stalls” area. Tip up seats are mounted in groups on removable floorbars, maintaining good access, legroom and seat comfort. Operational benefits include fast turnaround, no floor fixings (which some removable chairs require), durability, and provision of sturdy, non-snaking rows with consistent sightlines.

Matrix Seating at O2 Arena

Alongside concerns about seating, Arup’s survey also reveals that fans’ other hopes for venues of the future. These include better use of technology, improved sound and acoustics, and better “crowd modelling” to enhance movement through the venue. And the most detrimental factor in major venues? Long toilet queues.

 Audience Systems’ stunning seating installation at the BBC Arena in Switzerland really illustrates the visual impact that a mixture of seat colours can create in a venue.  There are some great photos in the case study which can be viewed by clicking here.

 The seats at the BBC Arena represent both the colours of the resident handball team Kadetten Schaffhausen (yellow and orange) and of the local region (blue and black). While appearing random, the colour scheme has been cleverly defined to create a seamless blend from one pair of colours to the other. It also smooths the transition from areas of fixed chairs to areas of retractable seating. Rather like an impressionist painting, the effect only really comes to life when the viewer stands back.

It’s by no means the first time Audience Systems have created an unusual medley of seat colours in a venue. The effect is popular in venues where events are televised –empty seats are disguised as the camera and viewer are fooled by the onslaught of colour!  But it’s also a way for designers to create impact, and for a cheerful, vibrant effect to be created.

It’s tricky of course – creating hours of work in creating seating layouts and a few headaches during seat installation! But the finished effect is a venue that truly stands out from the crowd.