How do they build football stadiums?

If you’re a football fan, you may have obsessed at some stage over what the right size of the pitch is.

Sure, you won’t think about it quite as often as you think about how many goals Messi is probably going to score this season, but it’s an interesting question nonetheless.

But what about if you set your sights a little larger than just the pitch? For instance, what about the stadium? How on earth do they build such structures like the ones we enjoy today as fans?

These aren't the kind of thoughts most football fans have, but the more you look into it, the more you realise that the answers are actually pretty fascinating. So fascinating, in fact, that I decided to pick up my digital pen and write.

Let’s take a look at the overall principles behind football stadium design.

How football stadiums have evolved over the years

Sports stadiums can actually be traced back to the ancient Greeks, but the first modern facilities (some of which still remain in part today) were built in the mid-to-late 19th century.

In fact, it was as long ago as 1892 when the first concrete-and-steel stadium was constructed, in the form of the famous Goodison Park.

Back then, stadiums of this kind were always single-purpose. They were used for football and nothing more (which, these days, seems a bit odd, right?) We need to fast-forward a little to the multi-purpose stadiums we know and love today.

When did multi-purpose stadiums first arrive?

After World War II, the idea of multi-purpose stadiums really started to take hold. Driven largely by the Americans, these buildings suddenly went beyond their original purpose to be capable of staging different sports events and music concerts.

These facilities were built to a significant extent throughout the 1960s and 1970s and also included increasingly important features like spacious parking and proximity to major road networks.

Now, we take this kind of thing for granted, but back then, it was a big deal for fans who had been so used to single-purpose stadiums.

The 5-stage stadium design process

Every stadium design is, of course, unique - as is the way in which they’re constructed.

But there are some commonalities. They can be boiled down into five stages which most modern stadiums go through as they rise from blueprint to living, breathing venue.

1. The pre-concept

This is when the design team collects as much data as possible about the site in which the stadium is proposed to sit, enabling them to build a project brief and map out all of the requirements.

2. The concept design

In order to determine the smaller details and material requirements, this is the stage when a full concept of the stadium is built. Often, this is when the basic structural needs are given the most attention.

3. The schematic design

This is where things start to get pretty serious. The schematic design is when the engineering needs, testing, crowd modelling and structural review all take place. It’s essentially when the stadium really starts to take form in the designer’s eyes.

4. Design development

Before construction can begin, this stage is absolutely vital. It’s when detailed calculations are finalised and the exact equipment needed for the project is confirmed.

5. The build

Time to get to work! With all of the design finalised and ready for construction, the various teams are assembled, a contractor confirmed and the finished drawings turned into a living, breathing stadium.

Wrapping up

So, there you go - wonder no more about how football stadiums are built.

The next time you go and see your team play, depending on the age of the stadium, you should have a good idea of how it came to life. Which is pretty comforting, right?