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when spectators are finally allowed back in —

and whether they will even want to show up.

The changes will be big and small, temporary

and long-lasting.

Fans could have their every move scrutinized by

cameras and lasers. There might be nobody in

the next seat to high-five after a touchdown. The

idea of passing cash to a beer vendor between

innings will be a memory. Temperature

screenings and medical checks could be

mandatory to get in. By having virtual tickets

scanned on their smart phones, fans could be

acknowledging the health risk of attending

a game while surrendering some of their

personal privacy.

It all begs the question: Will fans be able to have

any fun?

“There’s a wealth of unanticipated casualties, I

guess, that are going to be part of this, things

we all took for granted as part of the live game-

day experience,” explained Nate Appleman,

director of the sports, recreation and

entertainment practice for Kansas City-based

architectural firm HOK. “Some things we have

yet to fathom but will become painfully clear

once we are allowed back into venues and get

back to truly human nature, which is to gather

and celebrate community.”

Some leagues are returning with few or no fans,

including soccer in Germany, stock car racing

in the U.S. and baseball in Japan. But as sports

ramp up, The Associated Press found during

interviews with more than two dozen experts in

stadium design and infrastructure that the only

thing that might look the same is what happens

on the field of play.

Image: Craig Hudson
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