Designing Neuroinclusive Sporting Stadia: Where Architecture Meets Matchday Experience
Across the UK, an estimated 15–20% of the population is neurodivergent, including people with autism, ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia. In sport, that means a significant proportion of any fanbase is processing noise, light, crowds and information differently. Yet most stadia have historically been designed around a neurotypical “average fan”.
Neuroinclusion in sport is now evolving rapidly. New research, emerging design standards and rising expectations from supporters are reshaping how clubs and venue operators approach accessibility. The most effective projects recognise a simple truth: a neuroinclusive stadium is not just a building and not just an event plan. It is the integration of architectural design with matchday operations.
At Welcome Brain, we work with stadium designers, safety teams and event operators to support exactly that integration.
Why neuroinclusion in stadia is now a strategic issue
Several converging trends have pushed neuroinclusion from “nice to have” to essential.
Prevalence. In a 20,000-seat stadium, 3,000–4,000 supporters are likely to have heightened sensory sensitivities or processing differences on any given matchday. In practice, attendance is often lower, as many neurodivergent people actively avoid modern stadia due to previous negative experiences.
Fan expectations. Research commissioned by the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) and conducted by NatCen found that neurodiverse supporters frequently experience anxiety and sensory overload caused by queues, confusing routes and crowded concourses. Some avoid toilets or refreshments entirely as a result.
Disabled fan insights. Level Playing Field’s surveys consistently highlight accessibility as a barrier to attendance. In 2025, around one-third of disabled respondents reported that accessibility issues made attending matches harder, with many citing anxiety around safety and crowd management. These barriers frequently overlap with neurodivergent experiences.
Regulatory and industry pressure. UEFA guidance, the UEFA–CAFE “Access for All” guide and the Disability Access Officer Handbook all emphasise accessible infrastructure, clear information and trained staff as essential to inclusive matchdays.
Taken together, neuroinclusion is now central to safe, modern and commercially sustainable stadium operations.
What the science tells us about stadium environments
Live sport is intentionally intense, but this intensity creates barriers when unmanaged.
Noise levels in large stadiums regularly reach 120 dB during peak moments, comparable to rock concerts and far beyond comfortable levels for many sensory-sensitive supporters. Research with autistic adults shows that lighting, acoustics and crowd density significantly affect participation, autonomy and fatigue. Similar findings emerge from studies of live music events, where unpredictable sensory shifts and lack of quiet spaces undermine inclusion even when experiences are otherwise positive.
The implication is clear: when sound, light, movement and information are poorly controlled, neurodivergent supporters are asked to absorb a sensory load many cannot sustain.
The standards reshaping stadium design
There is now strong guidance to draw on, but applying it coherently in high-intensity sporting environments remains a challenge.
PAS 6463, Design for the Mind, provides practical guidance on lighting, acoustics, layout, wayfinding and sensory comfort for neurodivergent users. BS 8300-1 and 2 offer comprehensive recommendations for inclusive design, explicitly referencing neurodiversity, including visual complexity and colour contrast. UEFA and CAFE guidance focus on accessible infrastructure, communication and fan services, grounded in the social model of disability, while the DAO Handbook emphasises supporter consultation and cross-departmental working.
Our role is often to translate these frameworks into practical decisions that work for a specific stadium, fanbase and matchday model.
Architectural design: building neuroinclusion in
A neuroinclusive stadium starts long before tickets go on sale. Key architectural considerations include:
Acoustics and reverberation: Reducing echo in concourses and treating pinch points to lower sensory stress and improve speech intelligibility.
Lighting and glare: Avoiding flicker, strobing and sudden transitions, particularly those triggered by poorly-positioned sensors.
Wayfinding and legibility: Predictable routes, consistent signage and lighting that supports navigation rather than overwhelms.
Visual complexity: Managing patterns on floors and walls, especially on stairs and circulation routes.
Quiet and stepped-down spaces: Accessible sensory rooms and calmer zones near seating, not hidden away.
Queues and thresholds: Clear, legible entrances and refreshment areas that minimise bottlenecks and confusion.
These are not add-ons. They need to be embedded in the stadium concept and technical brief from the outset.
Matchday operations: inclusion in motion
Once the stadium opens, operations either support or undermine the built environment. Leading practice typically includes:
Clear pre-arrival information in multiple formats, explaining noise levels, timings and procedures.
Targeted staff training on neurodiversity, communication strategies and responding to sensory overload.
Quiet entry options and queue management strategies at security and concessions.
Advance warnings for sensory “spikes” such as pyrotechnics or lights-out moments.
Flexible policies allowing supporters to move in and out of seating areas.
Ticketing systems that allow advance booking of specific seats or quiet spaces.
This work spans safety, ticketing, hospitality, communications and HR, making coordination essential.
Sensory rooms are a start, not the solution
Sensory rooms are a visible and welcome development, now offered by clubs including Celtic, Sunderland, Arsenal and Everton. However, SGSA–NatCen research shows supporters also want quieter seating near regular stands, spaces that do not require advance booking, and better integration with the wider fan experience.
A single room cannot compensate for an overwhelming stadium. Neuroinclusion must be stadium-wide.
Why an integrated approach matters
Designing a neuroinclusive stadium means balancing technical standards, sports guidance, safety regulation, fan research and commercial realities. None of these exists in isolation. Lighting affects safety and broadcast, queueing strategies shape staffing and concourse design, and operational policies interact with physical infrastructure.
At Welcome Brain, we bring these strands together through evidence-based planning, cross-disciplinary workshops, co-design with neurodivergent supporters, and training that embeds neuroinclusion beyond a single project.
The outcome is not just improved access for neurodivergent fans, but a calmer, clearer and more welcoming matchday experience for everyone.
To find out more about how Welcome Brain can help with your project, contact us today.
