Advancing toward normal operations for arenas and stadiums

Introduction

From an operational perspective, the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in pervasive economic disruption affecting business operations and supply chains around the globe. By early March 2020, local and state policymakers began enacting restrictions to suppress COVID-19 spread, which banned public gatherings, including sporting events, concerts, festivals, and award shows across the United States. Accordingly, in March, all four major athletic leagues suspended their competitive seasons and shuttered sporting venues in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.

To date, policymakers and business leaders have been working on planning a safe return to normal business operations as soon as feasible and practical. Several states, such as New York and Ohio, have enacted phased reopening plans that incrementally lift restrictions on businesses and recreational activities based on indicators of risk and need (DeWine et al., 2020; New York State, 2020). As restrictions are lifted, business leaders and employers have been challenged not only to stay informed of evolving government policies concerning their business but also implementing these policies appropriately for their operations while remaining cognizant of ongoing risks posed by COVID-19.

Sporting venues introduce unique challenges to reopening efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic because of the sheer magnitude of staffing operations and attendees, seating proximity, the generally high level of contact among athletes, the number of third-party vendors, and the intensity of spectators’ reactions which commonly include physical contact, cheering, and so on. The reopening of sporting venues should be approached on a case-by-case basis, with attention to local, state, and federal guidelines. The reopening process should be one component of a venue’s broader Return to Normal Business Operations Plan to be implemented alongside a Case Management Plan, Enhanced Disinfection Protocols, Worker Hygiene and Best Practices Guidelines, and local and state health agencies. Additionally, the successful reopening of sporting venues and sports leagues in the United States will require careful coordination between sporting venue owners and management, league management and administration, athlete associations and athletes, official associations and officials, performers, press/media, vendors, and other third parties which utilize sporting venues.

Owners and managers of sporting venues have many fundamental issues to address prior to reopening including conducting health and safety evaluations, crowding assessments, and creating a communications plan, a case management plan, and a reopening plan. These individuals should evaluate what preparations can be put in place to best maintain and protect the health of staff, visitors, and athletes who work in or visit their venue, which should include an evaluation of all the potential health and safety needs throughout the facility for all stakeholders including crowd management. In addition, a communication plan should be created that establishes how the managers, owners, and leaders can effectively communicate with staff, visitors, athletes, and communities to promote transparency and ensure that all groups are fully informed of the ongoing efforts to prevent COVID-19 transmission within the venue. Prior to reopening, decision-makers should have a case management plan in place to respond appropriately to any person who may fall ill, have symptoms, and have close contact with a suspect or positive COVID-19. This plan should also include elements including wellness checks, testing, medical response, disinfection response, contact tracing, and return to work plans. All preparations and plans should work cohesively to create a comprehensive multilayered approach that helps mitigate a single point of failure in infection control and should be at least as protective as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations and outlines currently provided (CDC, 2020a; The White House and CDC, 2020).

Unique challenges for arenas and stadiums and effected stakeholders

Stadiums and arenas have additional unique challenges associated with COVID-19 mitigation. Although crowds appear as the most obvious and largest issue, other challenges such as travel by players and staff to other cities and states, intense physical contact between players, press interactions, high volume of hand-held foods for patrons, and high volume egress at end of game. In addition, stadiums and arenas have many stakeholders who participate in, contribute to, and attend the sporting events. It can be anticipated that most if not all stakeholders will be affected by any COVID-19 control mitigation measures. This basic collection of stakeholders (Table 1) should be considered during the planning and implementation of a return to normal operations plan. These defined groups are consistent with the group designations outlined by the US Department of Homeland Security in their published Evacuation Planning Guide for Stadiums (US Department of Homeland Security, 2008).

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Table 1.

Areas and stakeholders for planning consideration.

Groups	Subgroups
Grandstands	Sections
	Levels
Suites	Press box
	Box seats
Hospitality	Welcome area
	Help area
Parking	Tailgating
	Attendee/patron
	Athletes, staff, and vendors
Vendor row	Fixed structure
	Roaming vendors
Concessions	Fixed structure
	Roaming concessions
Hallways and concourse	Enclosed and covered
Ground and exterior walkways	To and from arena/stadium, parking, and nearby buildings
Offices	Administration
	Show
	Other
Field	Athletes
	Officials
Persons	Spectators and participants
	Competitors and their families
	Performers
	Special guests (e.g. VIPs and elected officials)
	Game officials
	Vendors
	Media
	Sponsors
	Security
	Workers (event, venue operations/maintenance, management, and staff)

Components to consider for reopening guides

The general guidelines and examples provided below offer practical measures to consider as a starting point for planning and preparedness prior to reopening. These measures aim to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission with the understanding that arenas and stadiums still must adhere to federal, state, and local health authority guidance. Considerations should be taken to understand and anticipate that states and jurisdictions may reverse reopening directions if and when transmission factors make it necessary to do so. Beyond these general guidelines, sporting venue leadership and management will need to consider venue-specific steps to protect the health of staff, visitors, athletes, and communities.

Crowd management

Crowds and social behavior during sporting events may be the largest challenge faced by sporting venues. Depending on the circumstances, venues may need to consider whether holding a sporting event should occur. If the event does move forward, decision-makers should consider whether having in-person crowds or press is necessary and, if so, by how much should attendance be reduced in order to help improve social distancing. Crowd management, even at reduced rates, can be implemented beyond the baseline level control applied by venues prior to the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States. Crowd mitigation measures can be divided into two basic groups: dynamic (moving) crowds and static (stationary/seated) crowds.

Dynamic crowds

Mitigation measures applied to dynamic crowds can prove particularly challenging when enforcing social distancing and minimizing the touching of surfaces. Having a multilayered approach through various means of mitigation can help with these challenges. Regarding social distancing, improvements such as reducing the number of spectators, using mobile ticket sales, prohibiting bags for bag check, and staggering and controlling arrivals and departures can improve social distancing. Consider allowing entrance of groups by designated zones in the arena or stadium. As shown in Figure 1, Crowd Control Diagrams section, Opposite Zones (Zone A and Zone C, for example) can be let in at the same time while staggering Sections (such as even or odd). In addition, mass entry and exiting from sports arenas can be improved and scheduled using announcements, visual aids, ushers, and/or electronic forms of communication. Clear and consistent messaging regarding entry and exit procedures should be available to all patrons including those requiring accommodations for communication in order to prevent confusion and maintain physical distance between patrons. Digital communication such as a text and/or email notification system along with designated arrival times on tickets and ushers controlling movement into seats may be effective. For exiting, consider controlling the exiting of patrons by enforcing social distancing and allowing patrons to leave via multiple designated paths with usher guidance (see Figure 2, Crowd Control Diagrams).

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Figure 1.

Consider creating zones for controlled entry and exit. Example: Dallas Mavericks arena map: https://www.mavs.com/tickets/my-mavs-info/arena-map/.

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Figure 2.

Using ushers to direct and manage flow to limit crowding. Example: CenturyLink Field: http://www.centurylinkfield.com/.

Static crowds

Mitigation measures for static crowds also have their unique challenges that can benefit from a layered approach. In addition to reducing the overall number of attendees, seating should be staggered to provide adequate social distancing space between family or group units (preferable groups limited to 10 or less). Spacing larger than six feet should be considered because of the potential for shouting and yelling that may create forceful droplet spray even when face masks are implemented (see Figure 3, Crowd Control Diagrams). In addition, consider alternating dates for season ticket holders or providing options for selecting a limited number of games to attend assuring spacing and capacity limitations. Potentially offer closer seats to avoid crowding. For box seats, private boxes, party rooms, suites, and other similar specialty seating areas, consider reducing the capacity seating to assure physical distancing is maintained Consider the prevalence of disease and the area conditions (e.g. size, layout, etc.) during planning. If food service is allowed to continue, mobile ordering is recommended as well as individually wrapped food items. Lastly, team owners and general managers should consider eliminating “standing room only” areas.

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Figure 3.

Example of staggered seating Not to scale. Groups should be at least six feet from other groups). Example: Seating chart, American Airlines Center: https://seatgeek.com/venues/american-airlines-center/seating-chart/dallas-mavericks-1921.

One challenge for static crowds that proves particularly difficult, even when adequate spacing is enforced between seats, is the interaction between seated patrons when others are attempting to leave a particular row of seating. Groups can be limited in each row and instructed to use only one side from which to exit. If crossing of persons does occur, it is recommended that patrons avoid touching each other and face away from other patrons while exiting. Face masks should be worn at all times and care should be taken for those who are still seated to refrain from shouting, singing, being boisterous while other patrons are near-by. Seating can also be rearranged to create more exits as long as all Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and safety considerations are addressed. Crowding is not restricted to just inside the venue, precautions and mitigation measures should be implemented for the entire footprint for which the decision-makers are responsible, including parking areas and tailgate areas.

Tailgating and parking

Owing to the difficulty in controlling congregation and loitering, tailgating should be prohibited until social gatherings are deemed safe and allowed by local and state authorities. When deemed safe by authorities, the venue should consider initially reducing capacity of tailgating lots (e.g. 50% capacity or other metric necessary to achieve adequate distance between groups). In addition, consider a ticketing system for assigning tailgating spots and limiting the number of participants, as well as designating separate lots for tailgating and regular patron parking. Tailgating groups that arrive and tailgate together should number no more than 10 individuals, at least one empty parking space should be used between each tailgating vehicle with assigned spaces for tailgaters, and tailgating spots should be clearly marked and separated to prevent mingling between groups of tailgaters. Consider coordinating with nearby parking lots/garages not affiliated with the arena to expand parking capacity and encourage distancing for all patrons. Management should increase staffing and security for parking and crowd management to ensure rules are being followed as intended.

Handwashing stations should be distributed evenly throughout the tailgating area along with no-touch garbage and recycle bins. Additional disinfection and distancing measures should be incorporated for portable toilets including handwashing stations, and social distancing reminders for queues. Food and beverages should not be shared between tailgating groups.

For individuals with prepurchased season or game parking passes, consider offering incentives for those willing to give up spaces to promote distancing, such as discounted tickets/concessions at a future game, premier parking spots for a future game, priority for season parking pass lottery, and so on.

Restrooms

Whether inside or outside a venue, restrooms can pose multiple potential health risks associated with COVID-19, including crowding/lines, high touch surfaces, and aerosolization of potentially infectious materials. Signage in restrooms should be posted encouraging handwashing and illustrating proper handwashing technique. While still ensuring complete privacy, doors leading into restroom areas should be kept open to eliminate the need to touch the doors and handles. If doors leading to restrooms are unable to remain open, then paper towels should be provided inside of restrooms along with trashcans placed next to doors outside of the restroom allowing for an individual to open the restroom door using the paper towel without having to touch the door and then immediately discard of paper towels. Restroom guidelines apply to both public/patron and private/employee restrooms. Consider adding more staff to ensure bathrooms are kept disinfected and that crowds do not form around restrooms. Consider designating staff to disinfect high-touch surfaces in the bathroom, including faucets, doors, and paper towel dispensers. In addition, consider adding more restrooms to limit crowding and queues.

High-touch surfaces

Disinfection measures are important to mitigate potential surface transmission sources. Venue operators should identify high-touch surfaces and ensure disinfection is completed routinely. High-touch surfaces should be disinfected with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved disinfectants as found on EPA List N and workers involved in cleaning and disinfecting should be properly trained of the chemical hazards and personal protective equipment needed during disinfection (EPA, 2020). In addition to added disinfection measures, management should consider adding mobile hand wash stations to promote use as well as automated hand sanitizer dispensers. Signage should be posted at each station encouraging its use, and illustrating proper hand sanitizing or washing technique.

Face masks

Employees for all arenas and stadiums should wear face masks and only gloves as appropriate (e.g. food service, those using disinfectant solutions) while working. Patrons should be encouraged to wear face masks when attending sporting events. Creative solutions to consider can be to provide attendees with an official team face covering. In addition, all ADA regulations should be followed.

Food and merchandising

Food and beverage services should be modified to provide enhanced health protections that align with guidelines outlined the Food and Drug Administration (FDA, 2020). To minimize gathering and queues, consider encouraging electronic ordering and/or limiting in-person ordering. Phone applications can be used for food ordering and pick up when possible. When not possible, tape or paint should be used to indicate lines and proper distances patrons should adhere to while waiting for food and drinks. To reduce high-touch surfaces around food and merchandising, consider providing no-touch refuse and recycling bin, offering prepackaged eating utensils and straws, blocking communal water fountain use and provide no-touch automatic water bottle refill stations or individual water bottles. While SARS-CoV-2 has not been detected in treated drinking water, communal water fountains could increase person-to-person contact and use of high-touch surfaces (CDC, 2020e). Gift shops and other merchandising locations should limit the number of customers entering. Tape or paint should be used to indicate lines and proper distances patrons should adhere to while shopping in aisles and waiting in line to checkout. When possible, aisles should be converted to one-way to reduce traffic and contact between patrons. Mobile pay and credit card payment options should be considered over cash, although considerations should be made for patrons who cannot pay with a credit card or app.

Medical planning and support

Prior to entrance to the venue, an initial health screening, such as a temperature screening and symptoms survey, should be conducted prior to admittance for each visitor, employee, staff, and anyone else entering the venue. Ticketholders, staff, athletes, and anyone else entering the facility that experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g. cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, etc.) should be encouraged to stay home and abstain from attending any events at the arena or stadium (CDC, 2020b). The list of symptoms provided by the CDC should be checked consistently for updates (CDC, 2020c). Medical professionals on-site should be prepared to attend to any patron or staff member that falls ill or develops COVID-19 symptoms during an event in accordance with a comprehensive facility Case Management Plan and local emergency medicine guidelines, which should include an isolation room for those who show symptoms of COVID-19. Should any employee or athlete test positive for COVID-19, any other employee or athlete who has had contact of less than 6 feet for 15 minutes or longer should not return to work for 2 weeks and should quarantine away from others (CDC, 2020f). At a minimum, athletes, referees, staff, and all others should be screened for symptoms and fevers prior to all games and practices, and before travel to road games. Anyone suspected to have COVID-19 should be given a viral test, not an antibody test, in order to detect active infection (CDC, 2020d).

Communication

Communication is a vital aspect of protection that should be instituted and planned for every layer of protection. Communications should always be clear, concise, up-to-date, and provide an avenue for return communications from the receiver whether it is from employees, patrons, vendors, or athletes. Regarding patrons, information should be made available to ticketholders prior to events via text, email, and/or other forms of communication. All entrants should be made aware of the entrance health screening requirement and process ahead of time. The list of symptoms provided by the CDC should be posted around the arena to inform guests and employees. Consider adding signage to parking lots and entrances discouraging ticketholders and patrons from entering the arena or stadium if they are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19. Development of a smartphone application to provide announcements, recommendations for safe attendance, maps of the venue, food and beverage ordering, and to meet any other needs patrons may have, will assist in ensuring a safe and fun atmosphere during events. Encourage event promoters, sponsors, and advertisers to include messaging that reinforces safe practices and behaviors.

Athletes and supporting staff

A multilayered approach should be considered for athletes and supporting staff including but not limited to social distancing, face masks, disinfection, and testing. Athletes and supporting staff should be discouraged from interacting with patrons including autographing memorabilia and taking pictures. In addition, athletes should limit their interactions with the opposing teams to just game play. Athletes are discouraged from socializing or lingering in locker rooms and locker rooms should be disinfected prior to use, between each use, and immediately after players vacate the room at the end of the game. Ventilation in all rooms within the facility should be adjusted based on guidelines and recommendations set forth by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) for reducing transmission of infectious diseases (ASHRAE, 2020). Face masks and face covering should be used as much as possible. Owners and managers of sporting venues should work in coordination with sports leagues, referee associations, and vendors in order to ensure that third parties utilizing the sporting venue are regularly tested for COVID-19 and screened for COVID-19 symptoms by a health-care professional. As previously mentioned, athletes, referees, and staff should undergo a medical screening for symptoms and fevers prior to all games and practices, and before travel to road games. Travel of players, game officials, and staff between venues should follow guidelines provided by the CDC, including maintaining distance, wearing a mask, and following personal sanitation practices (CDC, 2020e). Stagger the number of employees in breakrooms to maintain physical distancing.

Press and third parties

Press and third parties should also take a multilayered approach with the added layer of a robust review of the current infection control plans of each vendor; these plans should incorporate guidance from the CDC and local and state agencies and be approved by venue management. All third parties should have the following COVID-19-related plans in place at minimum prior to starting work in an arena or stadium:

○ Infection Control Plan;

Physical distancing should be maintained to the greatest extent possible to minimize interaction with players, venue staff, and patrons. All movement of press and third-party staff around the arena or stadium should be limited to only those required by their job responsibilities. In-person interviews before, during, and after games should be discouraged. For game-side interviews and reporting, a virtual station to interview athletes and coaches can be used to promote physical distancing. Press boxes should have reduced capacity. Consider transparent partitions for multi-network announcer tables if these roles can’t be relocate to press boxes. As with guidance described above for indoor rooms, ventilation in third-party suites or areas (e.g. Press Box, Security Offices) should be adjusted based on guidelines and recommendations set forth by the ASHRAE for reducing transmission of infectious diseases. After-game press conferences are discouraged from occurring. If they do occur, then a virtual setup between players, coaching staff, and the press is encouraged or virtual conferences

Intermission and other game pauses

Even with socially distanced seating arrangements, consider limited and controlled patron travel from their seat during intermission (e.g. halftime, innings, periods, etc.) as much as possible to limit interactions and crowding. Arenas and stadiums are encouraged to stagger how patrons leave their seating section as a group, except for emergencies and restroom visits. Ushers should be instructed to allow a prespecified number of patrons to leave at a time by either section or rows within a section. Lastly, patrons should proceed with care and caution when passing other patrons in a row.

Arena and stadium downtime best practices

Downtime in stadiums and arenas is not a time to relax controls or mitigation measures. Essential personnel on game days and nongame days should be well defined and access to the facilities should be limited or zoned to control contact. Unnecessary grouping and socializing between employees and vendors should be discouraged and meetings should be held virtually if possible. In between sporting events, stadiums and arenas should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected including food service areas, restrooms, locker rooms, shops, and any other areas where people are consistently present. As previously mentioned, all support staff and third-party vendors should have infection control plans and disinfection protocols in place even for nongame day activities.

Conclusion

Arenas and stadiums present unique challenges to COVID-19 mitigation because of factors such as the sheer size of attendance, quantity of third-party vendors, seating proximity, the number of high-touch surfaces, the generally high level of contact between athletes, and the intensity of spectators. Owners and managers of these venues should start planning the reopening process, as part of a larger Return to Normal Business Operation Plan, by focusing on aspects of crowd control and mitigation, physical distancing, disinfection and hygiene, and ensure all third parties have adequate infection control, case management, and communication plans in place. In addition, the venue should provide multiple layers of protection (e.g. physical distancing, disinfection, communication, and crowd control) to reduce the chances of a single point of failure that places people at risk. Plans also should flexible regarding potential changes that may occur as business life progresses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Combining layers of protections with such flexibility can position arenas and stadiums to effectively respond, adapt, and adjust, rather than simply react, to ongoing COVID-19 risks.