Protect Fans in Stadiums Using Innovative IoT Safety Technology
The use of IoT technology in stadiums can play a significant role in promoting fan safety at sporting events and other live performances. By implementing capable IoT technology, stadiums can take considerable steps to improve and promote venue security amidst common concerns.
Using IoT Technology to Diminish Fan Safety Issues in Stadiums & Venues
Live events at stadiums require a great deal of coordination to ensure events proceed without any technical problems and that the safety of spectators is not compromised. Unfortunately, there are several ways that things can go wrong, putting everyone in the stadium at risk.
Game Disruption Due to Fights in the Stands
One of the most common disruptions during sporting events are fights that break out among fans in the stands. While security personnel can do their best to keep an eye on things, it often takes more work to spot a potential fight before it happens. As a result, safety at sporting events has always been a concern for stadium managers.
How IoT Technology Can Protect Against Fights in Stands
IoT solutions like video surveillance and crowd analytics can help stadium personnel identify potential fights before they start. Video surveillance cameras equipped with facial recognition software can identify known troublemakers in a crowd and alert security to their presence.
Crowd analytics can also use data from various sources, including social media, weather reports, and ticket sales, to predict when and where problems are likely to occur. By being proactive and using IoT technology to identify potential threats, stadium personnel can help prevent fights from happening in the first place.
Game Disruption Due to Fans Rushing the Field
Another common disruption during live events is when fans rush to the field or the stage during the event. While this may seem like harmless fun, it can often lead to severe injuries for both fans and players. In some cases, it can even lead to property damage as fans try to tear down equipment in their excitement.
How IoT Technology Can Protect Against Fans Rushing the Field
By installing sensors around the perimeter of the field, court, and stage, stadium personnel can be alerted as soon as someone tries to breach the security barrier. This gives them time to intervene and stop the person before they enter the “safety zone” where the performance or the game occurs. Additionally, by using data from previous games, crowd analytics can predict when and where fans are most likely to try and rush the field so that security can be increased in those areas.
Game Disruption Due to Audience Accidents
Accidents happen. But when they happen at a sporting event or live performance, they can often disrupt the game and cause delays while emergency personnel respond. Safety during events is difficult to manage because of the many people in attendance. In the past, it was up to the surrounding audience to notify security or emergency personnel of an accident. But with IoT technology, that’s all about to change.
How IoT Technology Can Protect Against Audience Accidents
With IoT technology, stadium personnel can quickly identify when someone has fallen and needs assistance. IoT-enabled sensors can be placed throughout stadium concourses and stairwells that detect when someone has fallen down. This information is then relayed to a central command center where emergency personnel can be dispatched immediately. This safety feature helps ensure that accidents are dealt with quickly and frees up security personnel who would otherwise have been called upon to respond.
Game Disruption Due to Weather Emergency Events
Mother Nature doesn’t always cooperate with event planning. Severe weather strikes during a live event can often lead to delays or even cancellations as spectators seek shelter from the storm.
How IoT Technology Can Protect Against Game Disruption to Weather Emergency Events
With IoT technology, stadium personnel now have a way to monitor weather conditions in real-time and take action accordingly. By installing sensors around the stadium that measure wind speed, precipitation levels, and lightning activity, venue staff can get an early warning when severe weather is on its way. This information can then be used to decide whether to delay or cancel the event — decisions that could help keep spectators safe from harm’s way.
Game Disruption Due to Illegal Entrances
A major problem that stadium owners face is illegal entrances. This refers to people who either sneaked into the stadium without paying, bought forged tickets, or purchased tickets but have yet to sit in their assigned seats. Not only does this cause problems for venue security, but it also disrupts the game for paying fans trying to watch from their seats.
How IoT Technology Can Prevent Illegal Entrances to Stadiums
One of the most common stadium safety tips is incorporating IoT technology to track people as they enter the stadium. By installing sensors at all entrances, security personnel can quickly identify anyone who has entered the stadium without a ticket. The facial recognition information can then be used to eject the individual from the premises.
Game Disruption Due to Slow Audience Entry
Another problem that often plagues stadium owners is slow audience entry. This occurs when fans take their time entering the stadium, causing congestion and delays. This can be inconvenient for fans trying to get to their seats in time.
How IoT Technology Can Prevent Slow Audience Entry
IoT can help with this problem by providing real-time data on crowd density. Fans can be processed quickly and efficiently by having multiple electronic check-in points and online verification options. It not only helps to reduce congestion, but it also helps to improve security by allowing stadium personnel to track who is entering the premises. Venue owners can also leverage electronic signage to help first-time attendees find their seats more quickly and efficiently.
Game Disruption Due to Parking Lot Congestion
The parking lot is often one of the most congested areas of a stadium on game day. It can be the primary reason preventing fans from getting to their seats in time. Having all audience vehicles stuck in a car-to-car traffic jam in search of available parking spots can also increase the risk of causing car accidents.
How IoT Technology Can Prevent Game Disruption due to Parking Lot Congestion
IoT technology can alleviate this problem in several ways. By installing automatic license plate scanners at all parking lot entrances and exits, patrons can enter and exit venue lots without stopping to purchase and validate their parking tickets. Online reservation systems can also help fans find and reserve parking spots in advance. This not only helps to reduce congestion, but the feature also helps to improve security by allowing stadium personnel to track who is entering and exiting the premises.
In addition, security cameras can provide real-time data on parking lot conditions. By installing sensors in the parking lot, stadium personnel can quickly identify areas of congestion and direct fans to available parking spots. All these features eliminate vehicles from idling in the parking lot and help minimize the risk of accidents.
Game Disruption Due to Cyber Attacks
With more and more devices connected to the internet, stadiums are increasingly vulnerable to attacks from hackers. These attacks can disable scoreboards, concession stands, and other critical systems, such as WiFi log-in portals, blocked online verification processes, and electronic check-in stations. These attacks prevent an event from beginning on time and put customers’ personal data at risk — the FBI even advised athletes at the 2022 Beijing Olympics to bring a temporary cell phone to avoid cyber attacks including data theft and installation of malware.
How IoT Technology Can Protect Against Cyber Attacks
To avoid this problem, stadium owners can use IoT technology to monitor their systems for signs of intrusion. Having multiple layers of web security protections, such as WPA3 encryption, antivirus programs, firewalls, and a secure two-factor log-in portal to access the stadium’s WiFi system can significantly reduce the risk of a successful cyber attack.
Other Benefits of IoT Technology for Stadiums
In addition to the safety benefits, IoT can bring several other advantages to stadiums. They can help elevate the customer experience by providing interactive experiences, such as digital signage that can guide fans to their seats or offering order-ahead and in-seat concessions ordering.
IoT can also help stadiums save money by reducing energy consumption through smart lighting and temperature control systems. In the long run, these benefits can help stadiums improve their bottom line and become more sustainable businesses. And most of all, it can also help generate extra income and provide data to improve better usage of the venue space.
Hospitality Network Is the Leading IoT Technology Provider to Stadium Events
At Hospitality Network, we understand that the safety of your fans is always a top priority. That’s why we offer a variety of IoT technology solutions specifically designed for stadiums and other large venues. From managed WiFi to self-service kiosks, we have the answers you need to keep your fans safe and informed.
With over 40 years of experience in the hospitality and entertainment businesses, we have the knowledge and expertise to help make your stadium a safe and enjoyable place for everyone. Our team of experts will work with you to assess your specific needs and develop a customized solution that meets your unique requirements. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help make your stadium safety a priority for your fans.