BACK TO THE STADIUM

INNOVATING THE IN-STADIUM EXPERIENCE

24 October 2018

Traditionally, sports fans would seek no alternative in attending a stadium to watch their favourite team play. Today, fans are more spoilt than ever with TV & mobile offerings, and the need to attend a stadium week in week out no longer exists. 

At Money In Sport 2018, we'll delve into the innovative methods being used around the world to improve the in-stadium experience and bring fans back to the stadium.

2018 Money In Sport Delegate Passes available here.

THE DWINDLING CROWDS

Something appears to be missing in Australian sports: the crowds. In the major sporting codes, AFL, Cricket, NRL, A-League, and Super Rugby, the average crowds peaked in the past and are all trending downwards. Meanwhile, live viewing on TV and other media remains strong, despite fragmentation of the audience.

In fact, the truth is more complicated than that as Australian sports leagues still boast two of the top 10 most attended sports leagues globally:

  • #4 is AFL is #4 with over 36,000 average attendees
  • #9 is Cricket (big bash) with over 26,000

So what is going on?

AUSTRALIA'S STADIUM PAIN

Poor city planning makes a great sporting event difficult to achieve. In Melbourne, the Stadia are in a central precinct with good public transport links. Sydney has never been like that, and to successfully host the Olympics, the city basically shut down, and the transport network was redesigned for 2 weeks.

By contrast, in the US an NFL stadium is a privilege, not a right, to be attracted, financed and planned by the highest levels of city government to ensure that the team will be well supported and attended.

Mercedes Benz Stadium - Atlanta

Mercedes-Benz Stadium: Home of the Atlanta Falcons

AN EXPERIENCE TO REMEMBER?

Given our lounge rooms or home theatres can offer high definition, close-ups and replays, perhaps it is no surprise that the Australian stadium experience is in decline.

Too often, the transport system, stadium facilities and the sport are not integrated and do not offer a great, or even good, consumer experience.   The best live sporting experience should create “inspiring memories” with different attributes combining to an integrated experience. 

CONFERENCE SESSION: BACK TO THE STADIUM

Money In Sport 2018 - Day Two 11:30am

Featuring a Keynote Presentation & Panel Discussion

Stadium operators around the world are using innovative methods to bring fans back to the stadium. This session at Money In Sport 2018 highlights these as our speakers discuss how stadiums can create an experience to remember.

Ian Clarke - Money In Sport


Ian Clarke

Managing Director at CSVentures

Ian is the Managing Director of CSVentures, an investor and advisor to early-stage technology companies, and an experienced company Director. 

Ian presented the Keynote Presentation for this session at Money In Sport 2018 - Watch the full session below.