Sports venues have undergone dramatic transformation in recent years, in large part due to technology advancements. From smart building systems that can enhance energy efficiency to mobile apps that simplify parking, concessions, and seating, to better-than-ever audiovisual, these innovations are reshaping sports venues to make them more efficient, comfortable, and creating an immersive and data-driven sports environment. Sports facilities at every level are competing to upgrade to the latest and greatest features. Within collegiate football alone, there are currently nine stadiums undergoing major renovation projects, and more universities are likely to follow (from Stadium News: Renovations, Rebuilds, Conference Realignment).1 It will be in the best interests of fans, athletes, coaches, staff, and organizations to have a solid game plan for ensuring the technology in these venues operates as planned.
Revolutionizing the fan experience
Technology has brought sports enthusiasts closer to the action. Today’s immersive fan experience is often comprised of multiple high-definition LCD screens, sound systems, and lighting. It is also comprised of mobile apps that give fans an opportunity to interact with stats, player information, engage in trivia, contests and, more simply, by using the smartphone in their pockets. Stadiums themselves are becoming smarter too, with high-speed Wi-Fi, digital wayfinding signage, cashless payment systems, and mobile ticketing, which all enhance the in-venue experience.
“A sports fan’s experience begins outside the stadium in the parking lot and continues from concessions to their seat,” said Chris Andrews, director of technology integrations at Aptitude. “Our goal in a design is to capture the journey from the earliest possible point of engagement so the network density and integration support the wide range of experiences.”
Advancing facility management
It is not only the fans who are experiencing tech updates. For athletes and staff, technology is reshaping the operation of access control, scheduling, communication, security, and more behind the scenes. Among tech advancements are smart building features that can streamline operations and offer real-time data. These include Internet of things sensors, building management systems, sophisticated controls, digital twins, and more. These systems promise to give facility managers the ability to monitor and adjust HVAC, lighting, AV systems, view occupancy and traffic flow trends. Rather than standard operating procedures for game days, analytical solutions help to optimize the facility, which reduces cost and can drive down energy usage. When implemented well, the result is a more efficient experience for everyone who uses the venue.
Other technology impacting sports
Technology has impacted sports beyond game day and venue experiences. For example, there is software to optimize ticket pricing and predict attendance. Drone technology is revolutionizing sports broadcasting, offering breathtaking aerial views and unique camera angles – to attendees as well as those viewing at home.
Ensuring a tech integration game plan
Technology can add to the excitement of sports without taking away from the human elements that make athletic competitions so compelling. With each new advancement, the need to design, integrate, install, and operate these systems will continue to grow. Economists predict a 24 percent compound annual growth rate for sports facilities from 2024 to 2034, further affirming the demand to support tech enhancements (from Globe Newswire, Prophecy Market Insights, February 2024)4.
In many cases, rolling out new tech requires integration of legacy systems to function properly. And even when tech vendors promise exciting possibilities, results are only as good as the integration within a sports facility’s overall technology ecosystem.
“There is much more to a high-tech sports venue or any smart building than tacking on bells and whistles. So many things can go wrong if systems are not planned and integrated by an expert who is looking at the tech ecosystem as a whole,” said Andrews. “I’ve seen clients spend a lot of money buying the latest tech but skimp on the planning and integration prep work, which leads to problems, delays, and extra expense.”
Owners and operators need a master systems integration partner who leads the holistic, big picture ‘tech game plan’ not offered by individual system providers. The gold standard for an integration plan is that it not only ensures successful implementation, but it also ensures future proofing and ease of use post-project. Because who wants the stress of tech that crashes on game day or being locked into vendor agreement that makes upgrades a struggle? Supported by a solid tech integration game plan, technological advancements will continue to offer exciting possibilities, reshaping how we play, watch, and interact with the games we love.
