Matches behind closed doors - insights from our webinars

The main challenge for restarting operations in the stadium is the installment of all hygienic measures and requirements. Once that was covered and a hygienic officer was appointed, Borussia Mönchengladbach felt they faced the most difficult hurdle

1) Optimise the usage of digital tooling like a stadium app

Borussia Mönchengladbach expanded their existing stadium app to guarantee that all stakeholders have the most up-to-date information during these special matchdays. This upgrade and incorporation of new information proves to be a huge asset, with high user friendliness for the stewards and other match day staff.

2) Apply a strict zoning policy and see to it

Borussia-Park has been divided into 3 zones: the first zone consists of the pitch, dressing rooms and tunnels. The second zone holds the control rooms, terraces and media stand. The third zone is the largest outer surrounding, consisting out of terraces and TV compound. The key is have a clear overview of all attendees and a strict policy. If someone want to enter a zone, he should either be accredited for that zone of someone else has to leave the zone. There can be no surplus on the allowed numbers.

3) Listen to the wishes off all fans in the creation of an adapted fan experience

Not all supporters are excited about the matches behind closed doors. Although 23,000 fans send in their picture to generate a cardboard of themselves in the stadium, there are others who don't appreciate matches without their presence. Of course, regulations can't be bend but one can keep the feedback into account bye for instance not using fake stadium noises.


Curious to find out more? You can find the full presentation and recorded version on the ESSMA Knowledge Platform


Access the recorded version


Next topic on our agenda: Ekstraklasa's restart and impact on crowd management

The competition in Poland has restarted a few weeks ago and several Ekstraklasa competition rounds have already been played. 

  • How did the Polish clubs prepare for it? 
  • And once fans are allowed inside the stadium again, how will they decide which fans can enter? 
  • Which social distancing guidelines will they have to follow? 
  • And how to adapt the crowd management flows?

Thomas Zahorski, proxy to the Management Board at Legia Warsaw, will share their insights with you on July 2nd. 

In addition, Andrea Soehnchen, affiliated with the International Association of Public Transport, will share some insights on the upcoming changes in public transport and subsequent stadium ingress and egress, which might be useful to implement on matchdays.


Join our next webinar on July 2nd, 11 AM CET