Building Sports Venues for Inclusivity

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Creating inclusive sports and entertainment venues is about more than meeting legal requirements; it's about ensuring that every fan, regardless of their needs, feels welcome and comfortable.  While accessibility is a fundamental starting point, inclusivity goes beyond designing spaces that are easily navigable for individuals with disabilities. It also includes providing amenities that cater to varied audiences and ensuring all fans and visitors have a seamless and enjoyable experience. Let’s unpack some key considerations for building these spaces with inclusivity at the forefront.

ADA Compliance and Beyond

Inclusive spaces often incorporate universal design principles, which aim to make environments accessible to people of all abilities. This approach not only benefits individuals with disabilities but also enhances the overall user experience. Incorporating features like ramps, tactile indicators and adjustable lighting can make a space more navigable and comfortable for everyone utilizing it.

Sports facility additions and renovations can create prime opportunities to seamlessly integrate accessibility into facility operations. The University of Arizona’s Lowell-Stevens Football Facility addition tied ADA-compliant access into the existing stadium, ensuring that all fans can enjoy the upgraded seating and exclusive indoor club areas. The design also features new concessions and restrooms on the fourth level, all accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Welsh-Ryan Arena at Northwestern University is celebrated as one of the most ADA-accessible venues in college athletics. The renovation transformed the arena into a world-class facility for basketball, volleyball and wrestling, with a focus on accessibility. The project involved gutting the arena down to its primary structure and rebuilding it to include widened concourses, expanded lobbies, and upgraded concessions and restroom facilities, all designed to be fully accessible. This renovation not only improved the fan experience but also set a new standard for accessibility in sports venues, ensuring that all visitors can enjoy the events, regardless of their mobility needs.

Sensory-Sensitive Stadia

Creating inclusive environments goes beyond just physical accessibility; it involves catering to a broad range of needs. Sensory or quiet rooms serve as sanctuaries for guests of all ages and abilities with neuroatypical needs, such as those on the autism spectrum. These rooms feature large windows offering a view of the playing area, enabling spectators to enjoy the gameday experience without the sensory overload often caused by loud crowd noise. Equipped with features like light and temperature controls and easy access to food, drinks and bathroom facilities, these spaces offer a calm retreat from the bustling crowd, allowing everyone to enjoy events at their own pace. They often include soft furnishings such as sports-themed bean bags, bubble tubes and soft play mats, along with additional audio-visual features. Staff in these rooms are specially trained to understand conditions like autism, ensuring a supportive environment.

The UnitedHealthcare Sensory Suite at Target Field features separated spaces specifically designed to meet different needs, including those of children and adults, while on-site staffers have been individually trained to deliver appropriate assistance. The suite’s unique location is meant to ensure accessibility, while also helping to ease guests’ transition back to their ticketed seats by offering a controlled, outdoor area overlooking the game. This outdoor option makes Target Field’s sensory area among a select few professional sports venues nationally to have a view of the playing surface.

The 3M Sensory Room at U.S. Bank Stadium is a 6-by-12-foot, sound-protected space to offer respite for guests. the sensory room caters to fans with autism, Down syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, dementia and other conditions that can benefit from a safe and soothing atmosphere. The space includes a sensory active wall display, sensory toys, low lighting, bean bag chairs, sensory bags, ear plugs and noise-cancelling headphones, and a single-stall bathroom.

Gender-Based Accommodation

Creating inclusive environments also extends to considering the unique needs of individuals of all gender identities. Gender-neutral restrooms provide safe spaces for all guests and help reduce discrimination. With the move to cashless interactions and clear bag policies, providing free feminine hygiene products in sports venue restrooms is also gaining traction. Lactation rooms are another essential feature, offering privacy and comfort for nursing mothers. These spaces are equipped with comfortable seating, electrical outlets for breast pumps and a sink for cleaning.

In partnership with Target Corporation, Allianz Field refurbished its nursing room, enhancing the experience for nursing mothers. Updates include improved wayfinding signage in the building, new comfortable furniture, increased privacy upon entrance and between nursing stations, improved room acoustics, and a reading nook and play space for toddlers in tow. The space also offers supplies for nursing and changing, including bottle warmers, diapers, and baby-friendly soap and sunscreen.

Offering dedicated locker rooms for female athletes, coaches and officials is also on the rise. The recently completed female locker rooms at the Athletics spring training facility in Mesa, Arizona is a prime example. Mortenson worked closely with the Cactus league and project partners to change the game for women in baseball, creating a private, comfortable and functional space tailored to their needs. The renovation included 22 staff and six female umpire lockers.