10 Brilliant Ways Stadium Wayfinding Technology Can Improve the Stadium Experience

When fans get to a stadium, they are not simply looking for a place to sit and watch the game. Fans want something more—an experience. What they actually undergo is, therefore, a process defined by all those features of the environment that they come across. This experience starts right from the time they park their car to the time they leave the stadium. And technology is playing an important role in improving the fan experience. This is not just a statement. Numbers backs it up with the tech market in sports soaring to USD 13.14 billion. 

Perhaps the most crucial factor in defining that journey is the stadium wayfinding technology. When done progressively, they can contribute to enhancing the fans’ experience as well as generating extra revenue for the stadium. Here are ten tangible strategies to use stadium wayfinding technology to enhance the stadium experience.

Note: A better ROI for stadium owners is waiting

(stats: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/sports-technology-market)

1. Reduce Wait Times for Food and Restrooms

Some of the biggest pain points include the time spent waiting for food, beverages, and the washrooms. Real-time technology can assist by directing fans to concessions and facilities that are not so congested. Just through an app, fans can be guided to the nearest concession stand with the shortest queue. Meaning they can spend more time engaged with the match rather than standing in long lines.

For instance, when Mapsted’s indoor location technology was adopted in the Miami Heat Stadium (Kaseya Center), wait times were reduced. This enhancement alone raises stadium fan experience to a higher level. It helps to increase estimated concession sales, increasing by 15% and generate $1.8 million more per year.

• Key takeaway: Less crowded lines result in satisfied fans and increased sales of concessions. Even minor changes that affect the flow of fans can lead to considerable revenue increases.

2. Help Fans Find Their Seats Quickly

Escaping from one stand to the other, especially for first-time attendees, could be a daunting task in a large stadium. Mapsted’s mobile app can give fans a step-by-step guide on how to get to their seats. This eliminates the confusion that comes with navigating through large facilities. No more aimless walking and losing the overall picture, or searching for the door to the right area.

This feature can also be synchronized with ticketing services for smart stadium solutions. With this, fans have all relevant data in one place. This includes ticket details, the location of their seats, as well as recommendations on nearby refreshments or souvenirs.

• Key takeaway: It simplifies the task of finding seats and ensures fans gain more satisfaction.

3. Simplifying After-Match Parking Issues

Another common nightmare for fans is when, after the end of the event, they can only recall the location of their car. This is where Mapsted’s ‘where is my car’ can empower fans to easily find their cars after the match. 

Think of having a full stadium after the game. All tired and sweaty, and just pulling up an application and seeing your car right there, no searching and running around. This feature can help fans to avoid looking for their car after the event, which will make the experience smooth from beginning to end.

• Key takeaway: ‘Where is my car’ reduces post game parking frustrations thus allowing fans to leave with ease.

4. Increase Sales Through Targeted Notifications

The most significant advantage of deploying wayfinding technology is the flexibility of location-based notifications sent to the fans. A typical example is the case of a fan walking past a concession stand or a merchandise store; the fan will get a push notification or an alert with information on a special discount or a limited offer.

For example, it is an issue for most stadiums with regard to cross-selling between concession stands and merchandise stores, where only 10% of the fans tend to go to both during a game. Mobile users can be pushed to spend more in other areas through cross-selling; this can increase revenues by 5-10%. Promoting specific items or sets of food items may spur even more impulse purchases.

• Key takeaway: Bursting can be beneficial in moving customers to make more purchases within the game. This includes more concession and merchandise sales.

5. Improve Traffic Flow and Reduce Bottlenecks

Crowd management is a major concern for any stadium management as it deals with large crowds. Smart signage will enable the efficient navigation of fans around the stadium since it will have access to real-time data about the movement of the fans and traffic patterns. If there is a high concentration of fans at one entrance or concession stand, staff can be quickly reassigned to better handle the crowds.

Such real-time problem-solving assures that fans are not left stranded for too long or in areas with traffic jams. You ensure that the stadium experience is always positive by providing stadium staff with what they require to act swiftly in case of emergencies.

In the case of the Miami Heat Stadium, Mapsted’s system offered recommendations. Based on these recommendations, management changed the number of staff members in certain areas and rearranged the layout of some areas in the stadium. This proactive approach helped in ensuring that this was not an issue by maintaining a good relationship with the fans during events.

• Key takeaway: Improved traffic flow also makes it easier for people to move around the stadium without much congestion and thereby improve the comfort of the fans.

6. Encourage Repeat Purchases During the Game

It is also important to note that 60% of fans buy only once during a game, and this is a massive loss for the stadium. Notifications are very effective in being sent at the right time and at the right place to make the fan purchase again using wayfinding technology. For instance, a viewer who purchased a hot dog in the first quarter gets a notification about a discounted drink in the second quarter.

Facilities that can improve repeat patronization by only 5% could significantly enhance their annual revenue by up to $350,000 per annum. Timing and targeting of promotions makes fans active spenders during the event.

• Key takeaway: Ensuring customers make orders with the help of carefully placed prompts can lead to higher in-game sales.

7. Personalized Fan Experiences with Data-Driven Insights

The data captured by wayfinding technology is not limited to traffic control—it can also enable stadiums to provide fans with unique experiences. Thus, by observing the fans’ behavior, stadiums can suggest specific actions, such as providing fans with the directions to the food stalls they prefer or informing them about the special offers on the T-shirts and jerseys they like.

Such personalization helps to develop a better connection between spectators and the stadium and guarantees that spectators will be appreciated. Such one-on-one communication helps foster loyalty and results in high return rates every time a similar event is being organized.

• Key takeaway: The perceived personalisation makes fans feel closer to the venue, and therefore, more satisfied hence more likely to return.

8. Reduce Bounce Rates at Concessions

Bounce rates at concessions increase significantly when wait times exceed six minutes. It is also important not to exceed six minutes at any one time, with fans leaving in droves, which could hamper sales. Smart wayfinding can assist in this by showing fans where shorter lines are and with real-time information on the current wait time.

Stadiums can prevent the loss of $450,000 per season when they keep waiting times below six minutes. Thus, even this slight tweak contributes significantly to the financial side of stadiums, making it a win-win situation for both the fans and the stadiums.

• Key takeaway: Less time spent on the website results in poor bounce rates, which translates to more concession sales.

9. Enhance Emergency Preparedness

The importance of clear directions in the event of an emergency is life-saviour. Using technology to address orientation with reference to emergency management, fans can be easily navigated to exits, safe areas, or medical facilities. Digital sign also has the capability to switch to emergency mode and display the quickest way out or mobile applications can send notifications to fans.

This ability to direct large crowds safely and efficiently can eliminate situations that may lead to panic while keeping everyone informed on what to do in case of an emergency.

• Key takeaway: Emergency instructions are also critical in enhancing fan safety, and they are available through wayfinding systems.

10. Use Wayfinding Data to Plan Future Improvements

The information collected using wayfinding technology is crucial for strategic planning in the future. Stadium management can monitor fan traffic patterns, favorite concession stands, and areas where most fans congregate. This makes it possible to rearrange the layout of a restaurant, where to position staff members, and even what services to offer during future functions.

For instance, if it is evident that a specific merchandise store has more fans compared to others, then management can place other similar stores in areas with high traffic. Also, knowing which concession stands are the busiest saves time in terms of acquiring the right personnel to meet fans’ expectations.

• Key takeaway: Wayfinding data contains the exact information that will assist in fine tuning the stadium configuration. Means better staffing and fan amenities.

Conclusion

Stadium wayfinding technology is a game-changer for both fans and management. From helping fans find their seats quickly to driving sales through targeted notifications, the benefits go far beyond simple navigation. By implementing these smart solutions, stadiums can enhance the overall stadium experience, reduce operational stress, and significantly increase revenue. The success seen at the Miami Heat Stadium proves that wayfinding technology is a key investment for stadiums. It helps you to stay ahead of the competition. Whether it’s reducing wait times, improving traffic flow, or ensuring fans can find their cars after the game, the potential impact on both fan satisfaction and revenue is undeniable.

If you found this blog helpful, don’t miss our blog post on How to Create the Ultimate Fan Experience in Stadiums. Also watch our video on Elevate the Stadium Experience With Advanced Location-Based Technology to learn more.