Stadium seating

 As leading football clubs continue to extend and develop their stadia, so they seek to improve their offering to both facilitate premium ticket prices and satisfy the requirements of VIPs and executives with ever increasing expectations. A far cry from the bleak concrete structures of the past, modern football stadiums are now bright and welcoming with an array of facilities to enhance the matchday experience for fans.

Evertaut’s Club stadium seating

Whilst luxury stadium seating has been a feature in these clubs for many years, it is no longer exclusive to executive boxes and VIP areas. It has now also long been found in premium fan zones where clubs are frequently looking to replace more of their plastic seats with luxury upholstered alternatives.

In contrast to traditional plastic seats which are by their nature hard to sit on for long periods of time, upholstered stadium seating is deeply cushioned. Even entry level luxury seating offers a very comfortable station from which to sit and watch the match.

As most clubs prefer to have seating tailored to their requirements with upholstery to match their team colours, they usually turn to UK suppliers who can make to order, rather than sourcing off-the-shelf solutions which may come from overseas.

There are various models of luxury stadium seating on the market today, from small compact designs which can directly replace plastic seats to plush, high back versions with additional features such as heating elements.

Below are some examples of the luxury stadium seating available in the UK today, manufactured by Evertaut.

Evertaut’s Club stadium seating

Club seats are a compact yet super comfortable alternative to plastic chairs with deeply cushioned seats and padded backs. They can also be manufactured with arms if required.

VIP seats offer more space to spectators with a higher back for improved comfort. They are supplied as standard with arms which help delineate personal space and aid pre-match and half-time relaxation.

Evertaut’s Olympian stadium seat

Olympian seats feature a deep cushioned seat and back which can incorporate heating elements if required. These are controlled via a button in the seat arm and are a welcome luxury on cold winter match days. Cup holders are also available as an additional option.

 Evertaut is a long-established manufacturer of luxury stadium seating who has been supplying seating to clubs across the UK for many years. Their seats can be found in many Premiership and Championship clubs as well as those in lower leagues.

Executive Stadium Seating Manufactured in the UK

UK football stadium with an installation of executive stadium seating

As UK football clubs prepare to welcome spectators back into their stadiums, work is underway to ensure fans can watch their team in a COVID-safe manner. Whilst changes are required to facilitate this, clubs are also looking at ways to enhance the matchday experience and make it more enjoyable despite the circumstances.

Stadiumseats are obviously a key fixture in any football stadium and spectators will spend most of their time sitting down whilst watching a match. The majority of stadium seating in the UK is manufactured from plastic which is very much functional rather than comfortable. In contrast, executive stadium seating is deeply cushioned and upholstered, offering superior levels of comfort in comparison to a hard-plastic seat.

 

Increase Revenue By Offering Premium Pitch-Side Seating

Once reserved for club executives and Directors’ Boxes, many clubs have now expanded areas of executive seating to offer more seating options to fans. This also gives clubs the opportunity to increase revenue as they can charge a premium to fans who want the enhanced comfort and exclusivity that comes with sitting in an executive seat.

For those football clubs looking to offer spectators the option to upgrade to premium pitch-side seating, there are various styles of executive stadium seating on the market. From compact seats which allow you to maintain capacity to more spacious and luxurious designs, there are many different models to suit a range of budgets.

 

Sourcing Executive Stadium Seating In The UK

Whilst you may be able to source executive seating off-the-shelf online, if you want to be confident in the quality and performance of your seating then it is recommended you find a company who manufactures to order. Most UK manufacturers will be able to tailor their seating to your requirements and will have experienced installation teams to complete the full-service offering.

Another benefit of working with a UK manufacturer is that they should be on hand to provide after sales support including spare parts if required. Many of the seats available to order online are from overseas and are therefore supply only. This means you will need to organise your own installation, and after sales support could prove difficult if anything goes wrong.

 

Executive Stadium Seating Tailored To Your Requirements

UK manufacturers such as Evertaut will tailor executive stadium seating to your requirements and to fit the available space. Upholstery vinyl to match your club colours and additional options such as cup holders, embroidered logos and heated seats allow you to design a seat that’s unique to your club.

Below are some examples of Evertaut’s VIP stadium seats fitted in clubs across the UK. Top left, VIP chairs can be found in all the executive boxes at Newcastle United FC where they are enhanced with the club’s crest embroidered on seat backs. In the middle are VIP seats in the Chairman’s suite at Bristol Rovers FC. In addition to the club badge, job titles of senior club executives were also embroidered on seat backs. Bottom right, Southport FC chose Evertaut’s VIP seats for a large section of seating as part of its stadium refurbishment.

For larger zones of premium seating some clubs choose to opt for seats without embroidery, as can be seen bottom left and top right.

Range of executive stadium seating installations in UK football clubs

Create a Premium Spectator Zone with Executive Stadium Seats

 Whilst plastic stadium seating is a standard fixture in football and rugby stadiums, it does not offer a great level of comfort to spectators. It is very much functional seating that allows clubs to maximise capacity within the required health and safety regulations.

In contrast, executive stadium seats are deeply cushioned and upholstered and come with additional options such as cup holders, embroidered club logos and heated seats.

In recent years more clubs have been commissioning installations of executive stadium seats beyond Directors’ boxes and club executive areas. This type of seating gives clubs the opportunity to add a touch of luxury to the match day experience for fans by creating premium spectator zones. In turn it helps them generate additional revenue as they can charge a premium for fans to sit in these areas.

An installation of Evertaut’s Club premium stadium seats

If you don’t want to sacrifice capacity for the sake of premium seats then there are solutions available that occupy a similar footprint to the basic plastic seat. Evertaut’s Club stadium seat (pictured above) is one such option. This compact seat is similar in design to the traditional plastic seat but with all the touches of luxury you would expect from an executive stadium seat. It can be floor fixed or riser mounted and can be manufactured with or without arms.

If capacity is not such an issue then Evertaut’s VIP stadium seats offer more space to premium spectators, being manufactured with arms as standard. Generally adjoining seats would share an arm but for added luxury they can each be made with 2 separate arms, as can be seen in the installation below.

An installation of Evertaut’s VIP premium stadium seats

If you want to create a super-premium feel, Evertaut’s Olympian stadium seats might fit the bill. These are the most luxurious option in Evertaut’s range, featuring a full height back for extra comfort. These seats are often commissioned to incorporate heated seat and back pads which are controlled by a button in the arm, as can be seen below right.

An installation of Evertaut’s Olympian premium stadium seats

An installation of Evertaut’s Olympian premium stadium seats with seat heating element controlled by button in seat arm

Executive stadium seats can be used alongside plastic seats to create a customised seating scheme that suits the needs of your club and fits in with your budget. Whether you want to replace the seating in an entire stand or you just want a single row of executive seats, Evertaut has no minimum order quantity and can tailor seating to your requirements.

All Evertaut’s executive stadium seating is supplied as standard with anti-microbial, UV-resistant vinyl which is available in a wide range of standard colours. Unique colours are also available, subject to a minimum order quantity.

Due to its bespoke nature, executive stadium seating is made to order and you will usually need to allow a minimum of 4-6 weeks from date of order to delivery and installation although this can vary dependent on the quantity required.

Evertaut has over 90 years’ experience in the seating marketing and has been manufacturing luxury stadium seats for over 20 years. For more information on Evertaut’s range of luxury stadium seats, please visit www.evertaut.co.uk.

What’s the Right Spec for your Executive Stadium Seats?

As football stadiums evolve the prevalence of luxury stadium seating continues to increase as more and more clubs are replacing large areas of plastic seating with this VIP style alternative to provide an upgraded match day experience for fans. No longer just a luxury of the Premiership, VIP seats can now be found in clubs across all leagues.

Whether it’s a few seats for the Chairman’s box or hundreds for a luxury spectator stand, what’s the right type of executive stadium seats for your club? Here we take a look at the options available and how clubs across the UK have utilized the different types of seats in their stadiums.

Space Efficient Luxury

The lowest cost option is a usually a similar style to the traditional plastic seat but with deep cushioned and upholstered seat and back. Evertaut’s version of this is the Club seat which is ideal for larger spectator areas where space is at a premium or for smaller clubs who are looking to add a touch of luxury on a budget.

Executive Box Seats

As executive boxes offer a premium match day experience which clients pay highly for it’s essential to ensure that the luxury provided indoors extends outside. For those VIP guests wanting to experience the stadium atmosphere, luxury seating outside the executive box allows them to do this in comfort and style.

Evertaut VIP stadium seats are situated in the viewing area outside all of Newcastle United FC’s executive boxes. These luxury chairs have a high back featuring embroidery of the club’s crest and a deep, thick cushioned seat.

Bristol Rovers FC have a row of VIP seats outside their Chairman’s suite where the club Chairman and President have their own personalised seats.

Take luxury to the next level

If you’re looking for a more superior seat than this then a higher back offers improved comfort and enhances the premium look and feel. Optional heated seat and back pads take luxury to the next level and are a very welcome feature on cold match days.

Evertaut’s Olympian chairs have a high back and deep seat with the option of heating.

Stadium seating arrangements

With a range of seat types available, many clubs choose more than one model of seat for different areas of their stadium. From premium fan zones to executive boxes to the Chairman’s suite, there’s a seat to suit each individual space.

Southport FC chose both Club and VIP seats for their new stadium. All seats were embroidered with their club crest which creates a striking image in the stadium and enhances the perception of quality.

Not just for the stadium

The use of stadium seats is not restricted to the stadium itself and many clubs and other organisations use them in areas where they want to re-create the look of a stadium.

Swansea City FC have Olympian seats installed indoors on artificial turf within their training facility.

This sports app developer wanted a football theme for their reception area and used multi-coloured Olympian seats, artificial turf and a small floodlight to create a unique look that makes an impression.

VIP seats were used for a football related promotion in pubs across the UK.

Bespoke Stadium Seats

If the standard seats on the market are not quite what you’re looking for it may be possible to create something slightly different for your club.

A bespoke hybrid of a Club seat and VIP back was made at the request of Flint Town United FC. This Cymru Alliance league club have a single row of these seats with their club crest and sponsor’s name embroidered onto seat backs.

Which stadium seats should you choose?

The type of seat you choose may be dictated by the space you have available and the numbers you need to accommodate or it could come down to budget. Even the smallest luxury stadium seat will offer a much greater level of comfort than a plastic seat and will always look more premium. An embroidered logo really does create a wow factor and is particularly recommended in VIP areas.

Below follows a summary of the points to consider when specifying stadium seats:

Budget - Are you restricted to a maximum cost per seat or is getting the desired design and style more important than cost?

Style - How premium a look do you want to create? The seat size and back height will impact greatly on this – what is the ultimate preference and what is the minimum requirement that is acceptable?

Arms/Cup holders – most cup holders form part of the seat arm so if they are required then arms will automatically be included. If the budget is tight and cup holders are not needed then opting for seats without arms is a way to reduce costs.

Personalisation – Most stadium seats can be personalized with the club logo as well as names, job titles or even sponsors’ logos. Another option for branding is removable seat covers; these are useful where sponsors may change over time or where certain advertising has to be removed for televised matches.

Comfort – A really thick seat may look more luxurious but is not necessarily more comfortable than a slimmer version. Ask any potential suppliers if you can test a sample seat before making a purchase decision to ensure you are happy with the level of comfort it provides. Heated seat and back pads controlled by a button or switch in the seat arm can be a welcome luxury on cold match days and this is worth considering if you want to offer super-premium seats.

Upholstery – most stadium seats will be upholstered in UV resistant vinyl. You can specify an exact colour using a pantone reference or RAL number but this is usually more expensive and sometimes subject to a minimum order quantity. There is a very wide range of vinyl colours on the market and it’s often possible to closely match a specific colour without the need to specially manufacture it.

Additional Options – do the seats need to be individually numbered? Are row letters required? Do seats need to be adapted to incorporate any tech, eg phone charging points, TV screens, audio commentary etc.

Choosing a supplier

There are now a wide range of stadium seats on the market including many from overseas suppliers which you can order off the shelf. A key benefit of choosing a UK supplier is that seats are usually made to order so they can be tailor made to your requirements. A UK supplier can also fit the seats for you and deal with any problems that may arise during this process as well as offering an after sales service.

Whatever type of seat you choose, replacing plastic seats with luxury stadium seats can help transform any area of your stadium.