Home of football statistics and historyFootball stadium design has undoubtedly progressed a long way since the heady days of Scottish architect Archibald Leitch.
Born in Glasgow in 1865, Leitch was commissioned to design part or all of more than 20 stadiums in the United Kingdom and Ireland between 1899 and 1939.
Liverpool, Everton, Blackburn Rovers, Manchester United and Rangers were among the clubs whose stadiums featured designs created by Leitch.
Many Leitch stadiums have since undergone redevelopment in the wake of the Taylor Report and its recommendation that grounds should be all-seater.
Modern stadiums, and their associated training grounds, are now very different beasts, with technology playing a huge role in how they operate.
Behind the scenes operations, retail, audio systems, advertising and big screens are among the main football stadium elements powered by technology.
Some football clubs also utilise the services of cold storage for hire companies as part of their stadium operations to provide additional food and beverage capacity for big games.
However, perhaps the most important element of modern stadium design is ensuring that the overall fan experience lives up to expectations.
Leitch generally focused on designing his football stadiums around the four sides of the pitch. Each stand was separate and distinct from the others.
Fast forward to today and bowl-style designs are all the rage. They offer unobstructed views fans, regardless of where they are seated in the stadium.
Another common feature of modern stadium design is they tend to be multi-purpose – a factor which allows clubs to maximise their revenue streams.
Tottenham Hotspur are a great example of this in action, with their new stadium featuring a retractable grass pitch with a synthetic turf field underneath.
This allows the club to host other sports events such as National Football League (NFL) games or major concerts featuring some of the world’s biggest stars.
Digital ticketing is also commonplace in modern stadiums, with automated turnstiles replacing manually operated entry points and physical tickets.
Advancements in smartphone technology have helped to power the digital ticketing boom, making entry into stadiums far more efficient than was previously the case.
Looking to the future, the global rollout of 5G Wi-Fi connectivity opens up a wealth of possibilities for the overall fan experience in football stadiums.
Accessing social media during games is just the tip of the iceberg, with fans increasingly demanding other elements to be added to their gameday experience.
Second screen experiences with data driven insights are already the norm at home, but fans want the same level of interaction inside stadiums.
The Bundesliga has been at the forefront of innovation in this area, developing mobile apps that offer multiple camera views and instant replays to in-stadium smartphone users.
Innovation in football facilities extends beyond the stadiums, with many professional clubs worldwide boasting state-of-the art training grounds.
Pitches are built so their dimensions replicate the playing area at the home stadium. Many clubs also adjust the size of a training pitch to match the conditions they face at away grounds.
Gyms are fitted with cutting-edge technology to keep track of each players’ progress, allowing staff to tailor their training regimes accordingly.
Blackburn Rovers surprisingly have one of the best training facilities in England, with their Brockhall Village complex retaining Category One status despite the club’s struggles.
Largely funded by former owner Jack Walker during the 1990s, Brockhall boasts a range of indoor and outdoor pitches, gym facilities, swimming pool and classrooms for video analysis.
The club’s coaching, data and scouting teams are based at Brockhall, and have helped develop numerous top-class players during the 21st century.
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