What is Stadium Seating?

Considered to be essential in most sports, performing arts, and movie venues, stadium seating is designed to provide a better view of the central point of focus from all seats than in other seating options. The arrangement of stadium seating involves using a floor plan that is designed with an upward slope that provides a slight elevation for each row of seating as the number of rows expand away from the center area. The slight degree of elevation makes it possible for persons who are sitting near the rear of the facility to still see the central area clearly, without the view being encumbered by the heads of other attendees.

There are several different designs of stadium seating in common usage. Generally, all forms of stadium seating provide for aisles that separate sections of the seating. The aisles allow easy access to the seats on all rows, making it much easier for people to find seats and settle in for the event. The floor itself may be constructed in tiers, with tiered seats marked out on each tier. In other situations, the tiers may house chairs that are fixed in place. Modern baseball stadiums tend to be constructed with tiered seating that includes chairs with backs and arms, while many football stadiums make use of simple tiered bleacher style seats that are marked out on the tier itself. This form of stadium seats is sometimes referred to as stepped seating, as it is possible to step up and down on the seats, as well as in the aisles.

Aisles in stadium seating may be constructed with steps, while others are simply sections of flooring that follow a gentle upward slope. The upward slope methods is more common with the stadium seating in movie theaters, concert halls, and live theaters, while the stepped method predominates at sports arenas. In both cases, most venues today provide sections that are set aside specifically for patrons who use a wheelchair, or are otherwise unable to move easily up and down flights of steps.