Industry update: more on safety, VR and sustainability

Read more on Villarreal CF’s eco-friendly initiative, the sixth edition of the SGSA Green Guide, the IOG Industry Awards and more in this weekly industry update provided by ESSMA.

Safety & Security

• Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) published the 6th edition of the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds, the Green Guide. The Green Guide helps sports grounds owners and operators calculate a safe capacity for their venue.  It is used by architects and designers as a best practice guide for the development and refurbishment of stadiums. The sixth edition offers the latest expert advice and technical specifications on ensuring a safe environment for spectators.

Pitch Management

The IOG Industry Award winners have been announce during last week’s SALTEX exhibition. The awards recognise leadership, innovation and outstanding achievement across every aspect of groundscare – from grassroots pitches to professional stadiums in the UK. Some of the IOG Industry Award winners:

• Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year: Leicester City FC
• Professional Rugby Football League Grounds Team of the Year: Leeds Rhinos (Leeds Rugby)
• Professional Rugby Football Union Grounds Team of the Year: Scottish RFU (BT Murrayfield Stadium)
• International Ambassador of the Year: Jonathan Calderwood, Paris Saint-Germain

SMART & Sustainability

• Villarreal CF will introduce eco-friendly reusable and returnable cups at Estadio de la Cerámica. The initiative should significantly decrease single-use waste on matchdays. The reusable cups cost €1 and are made from polypropylene homopolymer. Fans who decide to return them after the end of the match, receive a €1 refund. 

Fan Experience & Hospitality

• During Genoa CFC - Napoli, Genoa CFC fans will have the opportunity to experience the game and pitch from a player’s perspective. With Genoa Virtual Reality, the club aims to enhance fan engagement on matchday.
• FC Barcelona fans will be able to experience the Camp Nou museum through Augmented Reality. With the Viber App, fans can  ‘transform’ themselves into their favourite player during for example a press conference. The integration is part of a wider reinvention of the museum and tour experience.