EDITED BY DAVID ADLER

METRIC
HANDBOOK
PLANNING
AND
DESIGN
DATA
SECOND EDITION Architectural
Press
24 Outdoor sports and stadia
Peter Ackroyd and Geraint John
CI/SfB: 564
Peter Ackroyd was until his retirement an architect in the Sports Council Technical UDC: 796, 725.82
Unit, where Geraint John was Chief Architect Uniclass: F561

KEY POINT:
• Standards are constantly changing, so check with sports’
governing bodies

Contents
1 Introduction
2 Sports grounds
3 Athletics
4 Playing field sports
5 Sports requiring special conditions or construction

1 INTRODUCTION
A few sports (mainly those based in the USA) still quote critical
dimensions in imperial units. These dimensions are shown here in
metric equivalents to the second or third decimal point, which
should not be rounded off.
Sports are in alphabetical order under the appropriate classifica-
tion. Boundary lines are shown by a solid line, safety and other
marginal areas by tone, bounded by a broken line, the dimensions
of which can vary and should be checked with governing bodies of
sport. Court markings are usually indicated by fine lines. For water
sports such as rowing and canoeing see Chapter 23, Boating; for
water polo see Chapter 22, Swimming. For other information such
as detail dimensions, other activities etc. see Handbook of sport
and recreational building design. A bibliography will be found at
the end of Chapter 25.

2 SPORTS GROUNDS AND STADIA

2.01 Facilities
For higher levels of competition in most sports, purpose-built
24.1 Details of terraces for standing spectators. a Section.
facilities are usually provided. These incorporate special qualities
b Plan
of turf and its sub-grade, together with appropriate facilities for the
players and for spectators.
While many sports events can be enjoyed by spectators situated
on the sidelines or the boundary of the playing or competing area,
there are a number of progressively more elaborate forms:

• Viewing slopes Table 1 Spacing of barriers on sports grounds (from Guide 10 Safely at Sports

• Viewing stands (which despite their name incorporate seating)

Open terraces Grounds, Home Office, 1973)

• overlooking part of a playing area and Angle of terrace Peak areas Other areas
of ground* of ground
• Stadia which are generally playing and competing areas
completely or substantially surrounded by seating, some even A B A B

provided with permanent or removable roofing.

5° 8.8% 1:11.4 5.0 3.3 8.4 5.6
10° 17.5% 1:5.7 4.3 2.9 6.7 4.5
2.02 Viewing slopes 15° 27% 1:3.7 3.8 2.6 5.6 3.7
These are not suitable for large numbers, and should not be steeper 20° 37% 1:2.7 3.4 2.3 4.8 3.2
25° 47.6% 1:2.1 3.1 2.1 4.2 2.8
than 17 per cent or 1:6. 30° 58.8% 1:1.7 2.9 1.9 3.8 2.5

2.03 Terraces *Peak areas of ground are those where the crowd collects thickest, such as behind
Details of a terrace are shown in 24.1. Barriers are provided at the goals in association football.
Type A barriers are tested for 6 kN/m loading, or designed for 5 kN/m.
intervals as a protection against crowd surge; the spacings are Type B barriers are tested for 4.3 kN/m, or designed for 3.4 kN/m.
given in Table I. Gaps are provided in the barriers, but these should Barrier foundations are designed for a factor of safety against overturning of 2.

24-1
24-2 Outdoor sports and stadia

be staggered as shown on the plan. Gangways should be sunk front. This will give a profile which is parabolic, with the rake
100–200 mm below the adjacent terrace to discourage standing in increasing with the viewing distance. In some countries, this is
them, and radial gangways should be ‘dog-legged’ for the same considered to be uneconomic to construct and unsafe for crowd
reason. No point on a terrace should be more than 6 m from a movement – the stairs in gangways become unequal and therefore
gangway; the normal capacity is between 27 and 54 persons per unacceptable. Nevertheless, the parabolic approach is acceptable
10 m2 . The front of the terrace should be no nearer the touchline in some countries and was used at the Munich Olympic
than: Stadium.
A straight rake with the necessary elevation between steps will
(1.75 ± H) cot A or 3 m, whichever is the greater
be satisfactory. However, a series of straight rakes tangential to the
where 1.75 m is the height of an average male person theoretical parabolic curve is practical and widely used, 24.3. The
H m is the difference in level between the pitch and the effect of lowering the eye level of the front spectator is quite
bottom of the terrace, and significant.
A is the angle the terrace makes to the horizontal. The following guidelines are suggested for C values:

2.04 Stands • conditions

150 mm is an ideal standard capable of giving excellent viewing

The design of seating in stands and stadia is similar to that in

auditoria (see Chapter 20). The minimum area occupied by a seat • very
120 mm is the optimum standard for most spectators, giving
good viewing
is 460 mm wide × 610 mm deep, the preferred 550 × 760. There
should be a minimum clearance of 305 mm between front and back • 60 mm isshould
90 mm be regarded as the minimum viewing standard
of empty seats, although this is included in the above areas. The • achieved between the heads of spectators in the row in front. In
a figure which means that good viewing can only be

maximum run of seats with a gangway at each end is 28, half that
very large stadia, there may be some positions where this is the
if only at one end. No seat in a stand should be further than 30 m
best standard which can be achieved from some seats, but these
from an exit.
should be kept to a minimum.

2.05 Sight-lines and rake of spectator tiers

Riser heights
The rake of spectator tiers is determined either mathematically or
Viewing standards will be affected by the riser height of each
graphically in section, where the principal factors are:
seating row. The following calculation is used to determine the
• eye
The assumed constant of ‘the crown’, i.e. the distance from the
to the top of the head which is known as the C value
riser height:
(R+C) × (D + T)
• The tread
The depth or seating row depth N= –R
• or thepointnearoftouchline
focus (the middle of the innermost athletics track
in football or rugby) where N =
D
riser height
• The height of the spectator’s eye in the first row, 24.2. R
C
=
height between eye and point of focus
=
viewing standard (C value)
In determining the rake, the lines of sight from the eyes of
D =distance from eye to point of focus (typically the near
spectators in each row to the focus should be clear of, or at worst
touchline)
tangential to, the top of the head of the spectators in the row in
T = tread depth, ie depth of seating row.

distance to point of focus

2.06 Seating
D
C
In the move towards all-seated major stadia, it is important to give
height to point of focus

some consideration to the seat where spectators will spend some

time. The time for sitting in the seat will vary with the stadium
N
riser type. The following are some examples:
R

height
T Cricket all day, perhaps even more than one day
tread depth or
seating row depth Football 1.5–2 hours
Rugby 1.5–2 hours; for seven-a-side tournaments
point of focus perhaps all day
Pop concerts 3 hours or more
24.2 Terms for calculating the suitable rake
Athletics sometimes all day, e.g. Olympics
American football 3–4 hours

The need for comfort will vary and multi-purpose stadia should be
flexible.
Outdoor stadia seats should be weather-resistant and robust as
well as comfortable. Suitable materials include aluminium, some
timbers and the most common material for modem stadia, some
form of plastic. This has the greatest potential for moulding and
shaping for comfort.
Fire retardance also needs to be taken into account. With plastic,
additives can be introduced but they often limit colour choice and
sometimes will add only delay to fire resistance. The design of the
seat is as critical as the material itself in regard to fire resistance.
Double-skin forms avoiding edge details which can ignite easily
24.3 Three straight tiers approximately tangential to the are best.
theoretical curve in a single tier is economical in cost but not in Colour is important. Some stadias use colour blocks to aid
space. Separating and overlapping the tiers reduces the plan management, but most now use patterns incorporating club
area. The rake angle must not exceed 35º to the horizontal insignia which are can be seen when the stadium is not full. Some
 Outdoor sports and stadia 24-3

colours are better at resisting fading under ultraviolet rays than seatway
305mm min
others. free standing shelf
The seat must be designed to drain and not hold water, and be
easy to clean itself, around and underneath. This is important to
integrated shelf
avoid damage, as dirty seats encourage vandalism.
The fixings must be as few as consistent with strength (to assist
cleaning), corrosion resistant and robust. Spectators will occasion-
ally stand on seats, or rest their feet on them from behind, exerting
considerable force.
In existing stadia, particularly the older ones, the floor
construction will limit the fixing choices available. This can be an
important factor in re-equipping an existing stadium with seats,
because of the large number of fixing points required.
24.6 Two options for press box seating: integrated or
The life of a seat used to be considered as about twenty years,
free-standing writing shelf
but it is doubtful whether current models will need to be as long-
lasting.

Forms of seating If the stadium is to be used for events other than football – for
The quality of the seating will vary depending on the use, but also example, pop concerts, American football, public gatherings – it
to produce a range of seats available in the stadium. Standards of may be worth considering higher-grade seats in sections where
comfort demanded by users tend to be rising. customers will sit for a longer period than 90 minutes, perhaps at
The better quality will be on an individual seat basis with a higher admission prices.
back, 24.4. The seat may fold back when not in use. This increases
the seat gangway, providing greater convenience and safety. VIP Press box seating
seating in selected areas will require even higher standards. Seats in the press box should be provided with integrated writing
Cheaper seating can be provided by the use of benches or seats shelves or tablets, 24.6. However, consult with regular press box
with no backs 24.5. This produces a more economical spacing of users to determine how much space they need for computers,
rows. monitors, telephones, fax machines or other equipment.
Note that the requirement for a minimum seatway of 305 mm
Comfort and event usage applies in this case to the distance between the rearmost projection
Upholstered versions of standard seats are widely available, while on the shelf and the front of the seat.
some clubs may wish to upgrade their existing standard seating
with the addition of back pads and cushions or full covers. 2.06 Exits from sports grounds
Armrests cannot usually be added to existing standard seats. Large numbers of spectators in sports grounds are a source of
danger to themselves, particularly from:

• Tripping, slipping and falling

800mm desirable • Crowd pressure on terraces and exits and
row width 780–800mm recommended • Fire and hooliganism.
minimum clear seatway for tip-up and fixed seats All spectators should be able to leave a sports ground within 8
305mm 305mm
minutes. If there are combustible stands (such as constructed of
timber) spectators must be able to be cleared from them within 2½
minutes.
The flow through an exit is about 40 persons per minute per unit
of width of 550 mm. Where there are narrowings in the exit route
there should be ‘reservoir’ areas to accommodate those that are
fixed seat
waiting to pass. These should not be less than 15 m from an
width of seats incombustible building, nor 4.5 m from one that is combustible, and
460–500mm for seats without a r m s should be designed to hold 54 persons per 10 m2. Nowhere should
500mm for seats with arms an exit or escape route be less than 1.1 m wide, minimum
headroom 2.4 m. Steps should be a minimum of 280 mm going
(305 mm preferred). No flight should have less than three or more
24.4 Spacing between seating with backs, fixed and fold-up
than 16 risers and two flights with more than 12 risers should have
a turn between. Ramps should not be be steeper than 10 per cent
(1:10).
row width 610mm min

recommended minimum clear seatway

400mm 3 ATHLETICS

3.01 Athletics stadia

Facilities at a stadium capable of staging national and international
meetings should include:

• sufficient
A 400 m, eight-lane floodlit track with one ten-lane straight of
length to permit a 110 m hurdles to be run with space
width of seats 460–500mm
for the athletes to pull up after passing the tape
24.5 Spacing between benches without backs. These allow closer • A steeplechase water jump
spacing but are less comfortable and are increasingly • Full provision for all field events
unacceptable • A separate warming-up area (desirable)
24-4 Outdoor sports and stadia

• Changing and washing facilities for 200 athletes in the

proportion two-thirds male to one-third female
A typical district athletics centre is shown in 24.7. Athletics
centres for national and international level competitions vary with
• Additional
is desirable
separate changing accommodation for boys and girls the money available – Olympic facilities now require Croesus’s
purse! Famous examples of less affluent centres are shown in the
• Appropriate toilet and car parking facilities
A covered stand to seat least 2000 spectators Handbook of sport and recreational building design.
• An announcer’s box and provision for the press, broadcasting
• and television 3.02 All-weather surfacing

• Officials’ room • Where surface is all-weather, six lanes are acceptable on

circuit.
• Equipment rooms and store
• weather, andfor alongthe andwidthtriplemayjumps
Runways and pole vault should be all-
• The perimeter of the track not covered by the stand should, if
possible, be terraced to provide further spectator
be reduced to 0.9 m. For the high
jump an all-weather take-off strip 5 m wide is acceptable.
accommodation.

Wherever possible, regional athletic stadia should be associated 3.03 Layout

with other sports provision. An indoor sports centre or sports hall
alongside the stadium is a distinct advantage. Consult the AAA
• The layout for the field events may be varied to suit local
requirements.
and NPFA regarding regional and local track gradings with
specifications for minimum facilities.
• Where space allows, additional throwing facilities may be sited
outside the track, provided there is proper control and safety.

24.7 Plan of Copthall Sports Centre, courtesy of the London Borough of Barnet. This is an example of a good district athletics
centre. KEY: A Transport office, B Public telephones, C Police kiosk, D Billeting enquiries and lost property, E box office, F
Souvenir sales, G Refreshments, H First aid
 Outdoor sports and stadia 24-5

1.22m lane width

b: back straight

h g
hammer and discus 40°
g
2m safety

49m radius
to track side
of kerb
25m 36.5m radius
2 m 84.39m to track side
a c radius a
of kerb
c 18m
f high jump

95 m 20m
3.66m radius radius
80 m radius
100 × 64m
Association football pitch

3m b home straight 20m

d e
110m start combined long jump, triple jump and pole vault

100m start finish line for all races

length of track 400 m on a line 300 mm track side of inside kerb

24.8 Layout guide for 400-metre running tracks and field events. This layout with alternative sitings for field events, is based on
NPFA diagram 13b. Different arrangements are possible to suit particular circumstances. For high-level competition, however,
alternatives for the throwing circles are limited if maximum distances are to be thrown safely

86 . 79

6 lanes at 1.22 = 7.32

25.01 straight

24.9 200 metre running track. *Radius is measured to the track side of raised or
flagged edge. If only a chalk line the radius is 23.67 m
24-6 Outdoor sports and stadia

24.10 300 metre running track. 126.52

*Radius is measured to the track
side of raised or flagged edge. If
only a chalk line the radius is
34.8m
7 lanes at 1.22 = 8.54

34 . 70 radius*

40 . 04 straight

115.61 bend length

24.11 400-metre running track: the standard

7-lane club track. For 6-lane all-weather
surfaces, reduce overall dimensions by 2.44 m.
For major competiton tracks and regional
facilities, 8 all-weather lanes with a 10-lane
sprint straight is required: increase overall
dimensions by 2.44 m. and sprint straight as
92 . 52
shown
 Outdoor sports and stadia 24-7

• On cinder tracks the straight sprint and hurdle are run on the six extending it further into the arena. This necessitates the reinstate-
outer lanes, thus avoiding the inner lane which is subject to ment of the winter games pitch.
heavy use during long-distance events.
• If the central area is not required for winter games the distances 3.08 Tracks without a raised border
from the shot circle to the inner edge of the track and the javelin Where a track is marked out on grass or on a hard porous area
runway should be increased to 10 m. without a raised or flagged border, the track length must be
• The safety radius for the throws should be adjusted according to measured along a line 20 cm instead of 30 cm from the track side
the standards expected to be attained by the competitors. of the inner edge. This has the effect in the example shown of
• The triple jump landing area should be increased to 3.35 m increasing the radius to the inner edge from 36.50 m to 36.60 m
where space and funds permit. and of reducing the width of the first lane to 1.12 m.
A recommended layout guide is shown in 24.8.
3.09 Formula for other track proportions
3.04 Orientation Where a track of wider or narrower proportions or of different
Siting for pole vault and all jump approaches should be such that length is required, the appropriate dimension can be calculated
the jumpers do not run towards the sun. The arc to be avoided for from the following formula:
these events is approximately south-west to north-west (225° to
L = 2P + 2(π R + 300 mm)
315°) in the UK. This also applies to grandstand siting.
where L = length of track in metres
3.05 Safety precautions P = length of parallels or distances apart of centres of
Detailed specifications and safety for field events are set out in the curves in metres
National Handbook. Extension wings should be provided to the R = radius to track side of inner kerb in metres
safety throwing cage for the protection of the jumps and inner π = 3.1416 (not 22/7)
running lanes.
The radius of the semicircles should not normally be less than
32 m or more than 42 m for a 400-metre circuit.
3.06 Discus and hammer circles
Hammer throwers prefer a smoother finish to the concrete than
3.10 Alternative surfacing for areas
discus throwers. For this reason, also to allow simultaneous
If preferred thc spaces at each end of the winter games pitch can
training in each event, separate cage-protected circles are often
be hard surfaced to the same specification as the track with the
provided.
following advantages:

3.07 Javelin runway • Maintenance is simplified

In order not to restrict the use of the running track, the runway • Runways do not have to be separately constructed and edged
should wherever possible be laid down clear of the track by and their position can be varied as required

4 7 . 3 11.0 senior 45 . 0 runway

9 . 0 junior (40 . 0 min) 1.22
landing area
(air bed) landing area (sand pit)
81 . 6

24.15 Triple jump

38.8

24.12 High jump 9 . 0min 11 . 0 senior 45 . 0 runway

9 . 0 junior 40.0 min 1 . 83 2 . 44

landing area (sand pit)

5.0 45.0 runway 75.0
(40.0 min)
1.22
24.16 Combined triple and long jump

landing area (air bed)

5 5. 0

24.13 Pole vault

21.48-26.86

9 . 0min 1 . 0min 45.0 runway 65°

(40.0min)
1.22

landing area (sand pit)

65.0

20.0-25.0 radius
24.14 Long jump: to avoid adverse wind conditions, landing
areas are at both ends 24.17 Shot
24-8 Outdoor sports and stadia

36.5 runway

women
80.0-95.0 radius safety boundary

men

24.20 Archery, clout. The arrows ae shot high into the air to fall
into circles marked on the ground, or a circular cloth pegged
down, the centre of each being marked by a flag. The various
shooting distances are clearly defined on the grass by white
lines, tapes or spots and are always measured in yards. Archers
move up and back to the distance position, and the waiting line
moves accordingly. The overall distance for clout archery is
about 230 m

48.0

24.18 Javelin

3 . 66 crs

10m

20m 20yd(18.288

70.0 radius 30yd(27.432

30m
65.0 min 40yd(36.576
40m
50yd(45.720
50m
60yd(54.864
60m
70yd(64.008
70m s h o o t in g
safety cage 80yd(73.152
2.74 x 2.74 80m 4 . 570
90yd(82.296
x 3.35 high
90m 100yd(91.440
safety
70.0

waiting
line line

24.21 Archery, target: club archery 100 m, championships over

150 m depending on the number of targets. Some competitions
are shot over metric distances and some will always be shot
over imperial lengths. Metric and imperial competitions take
place during the same meeting. The waiting and safety lines are
24.19 Discus and hammer: discus base is 2.5 m dia., hammer moved to positions behind the correct shooting line for each
base 2.135 m dia. competition. In this example, shooting is over a distance of 50 m
 Outdoor sports and stadia 24-9

grass line • Portable landing areas for high jump practice and coaching can
be placed where most convenient.

3.11 Running tracks

Layouts for running tracks scale 1:1000 are given in 24.9 to
24.11.

3.12 Field events

The important dimensions for the main field events are shown in
24.12 to 24.19 (scale 1:1000).

70
4 PLAYING FIELD SPORTS

4.01 Playing fields

Games and recreations that take place on ordinary playing fields
are shown in alphabetical order in 24.20 to 24.42 (scale 1:2000
except where shown otherwise).

60

24.22 Baseball: full-size diamond. Little league, for young

players, is two thirds the size 9 L 9

6
1.5 82.3 - 100.58 1.5

B
6
24.26 Football, Association (Soccer). The NPFA gives the
following recommended sizes:
24.23 Bicycle polo
L B
International: 100–110 m 64–75 m
5–10 95–110 5–10 Senior: 96–100 m 60–64 m
Junior: 90 m 45–55 m

For five-a-side Association Football see Chapter 25

150-185

24.24 Camogie
3

1.8-3.7 91.4-109.7 1.8-3.7

130-150

24.25 Football, American 24.27 Football, Australian

24.10 Outdoor sports and stadia

145-74 91-110

24.28 Football, Canadian

24.32 Handball

128-146

24.29 Football, Gaelic

24.33 Hockey. For county and club matches the NPFA gives a
pitch size of 90 X 55 m in an overall space of 95 X 60.4 m,
allowing for circulation about the pitch

100-122

128-146

24.30 Football, Rugby League

24.34 Hurling (a similar pitch to that of Gaelic Fotball)

144 max

60-140

24.31 Football, Rugby Union 24.35 Korfball

 Outdoor sports and stadia 24-11

24.36 Lacrosse, men’s

24.41 Shinty

100 min, 110 recommended 46

rope
boundaries not marked on ground off
24.42 Tug-of-war

ditch
200-380mm
24.43 Bowls. Greens should not be shorter
than 30.2 m in the play direction. For
domestic play the rink should be a
36.58-40.23 minimum of 4.3 m wide. The square above
24.37 Lacrosse, women’s. The ground has no measured or square is suitable for six rinks
marked-out boundaries. The women’s indoor seven-a-side game
has been superseded by Pop-Lacrosse
35.58
(27.43-54.86)

24.44 Crown bowls: played mainly in

rises in northern England and Wales and in
middle the Isle of Man. The ‘crown’, which
203 - 457mm
need not be central, is between 0.25
and 0.46 higher than the edges

24.38 Netball

1.5 15.0 1.5

access for 18.29-27.44

wheelchair
users

0.3 m upstand
3.66
24.39 Petanque. Additional space is needed for competition
oficials and players’ sitting out

12

92.29-119.44

24.45 Cricket. The central square of about 22 m side is able to

17 take the wickets in either direction. This would be special turf
and grass species, and is kept roped off when not in use. The
24.40 Rounders. An outfield boundary consisting of a circle outfield, however, can be used for other games when not
about 50 m diameter is used. required for cricket
24-12 Outdoor sports and stadia

C 4.27 NeC 3.66

R 3.66 10.97 R 3.05

25.6
24.46 Croquet. This can be played on an ordinary field, but the
good game demands turf similar to a bowls green

24.49 Lawn tennis. The surface may be grass, suitable asphalt

48.16 or a modern composition. The surrounds are of wire netting 3 to
4 m high
4.75
min

24.47 Curling. This Scottish game is played on ice

144.35

40 recommended

20 recommended
24.50 Roller hockey. This demands a surface suitable for roller
skating: strip wood, terrazzo, smooth concrete or a suitable
24.48 Cycle racing 33 31/3 metre track asphalt

5 SPORTS REQUIRING SPECIAL CONDITIONS OR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

CONSTRUCTION Forthcoming revised edition of AAA/NPFA Facilities for Athletics
A selection of special constructions are given in 24.43 to 24.50 containing technical requirements and specifications for all grades
(scale 1:2000 except where shown otherwise). of outdoor athletics.
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