PROCEEDINGS of the
23rd International Congress on Acoustics
9 to 13 September 2019 in Aachen, Germany

Acoustics features of sports facilities on the exampleof FIFA 2018 football stadiums in Russia
Anton PERETOKIN 1; Anatoly LIVSHITS1; Alexey ORLOV 2; Natalia SHIRGINA1
1
2

Acoustic Group, Russia

Arena Project Institute, Russia

ABSTRACTThe FIFA World Cup 2018 an international football tournament took place in Russia at 12 stadiums in 11
cities: Kazan, Kaliningrad, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Saint Petersburg, Samara, Saransk,
Sochi, Volgograd and Yekaterinburg. Some stadiums were «greenfield projects», others were adapted to FIFArequirements. Acoustic parameters as reverberation time and speech transmission are standardized for FIFA
stadiums. After the tournament is finished, the stadiums are to be used both for football games andcommercial purposes: concerts and shows with the use of PA Systems. If stadiums are used as concert venues,
their acoustics should be high. An acoustic survey of the stadiums was carried out. Acoustic parameters were
measured in unoccupied stadiums. Recalculation of occupied stadiums was made in computer simulation
models. The measured values of acoustic parameters were analyzed and compared with FIFA acoustic
requirements. Positive and negative acoustic characteristics of the stadiums were determined. Acoustic
characteristics were compared with architectural features.
Keywords: stadium’s acoustics, acoustic measurement, reverberation time

1. INTRODUCTION
World Cup of 2018 took place in 12 stadiums in 11 Russian cities: in Kazan, Kaliningrad, Moscow,
Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, St. Petersburg, Samara, Saransk, Sochi, Volgograd andYekaterinburg. Some stadiums were built, other were reconstructed to comply with FIFA World Cup
requirements. After the World Cup, the stadiums would chiefly be used for football matches:
tournaments of Russian football leagues and international tournaments. In addition, the stadiums areplanned to be used for commercial events: electronic music concerts, shows, etc.
The main element of the football stadium is the stadium bowl with 35,000 to 80,000 spectators
capacity, with football field, stands around the field (in 2 circles), a roof over the stands and an open
sky above the football field. When conducting international competitions and concerts using the soundamplification system when spectators are in the stands, the acoustics of the stadiums has to meet highstandards. During a football match, fans should perceive the announcer's information messages
transmitted by the standard sound amplification system with high background noise in the stadium.
During concerts, viewers should perceive the media content played by the sound amplification systemwith fair intelligibility. In addition, in the football mode, in accordance with work [4], the stadium
response to fans emotions is also very important: the volume level of fan support sets the emotional
background and atmosphere of a sports event. Thus, the task of researching and evaluating theacoustics of stadiums is relevant, since the stadium is used both for sports events and for concerts andmusic shows, the acoustic requirements for the stadium bowl are of different nature: high intelligibility,
low reverberation and high volume level.
In the framework of this work, an acoustic survey of stadiums was carried out, and acoustic
parameters were measured with empty stands. A recalculation was made for filled stands based oncomputer modeling. The measured values of acoustic parameters were correlated with FIFA acoustic
requirements [1]. Acoustic parameters measured at 11 stadiums were compared and analyzed. Positive
and negative architectural and acoustic features of stadiums were analyzed. The effect of stadiumgeometry on the level of fan support was evaluated.
1

anton.peretokin@acoustic.ru

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2. ACOUSTIC REQUIREMENTS FOR STADIUMS
According to the specification [1] requirements, the following parameters of architectural acoustic
and electroacoustic are regulated at international FIFA competitions: STI speech transmission index,
RT reverberation time, sound field unevenness and maximum sound level reproduced by the standard
stadium amplification system. In this study, the reverberation RT time was measured, the STI index,
and the unevenness of the sound field in the stands.
Criteria of specified parameters for FIFA stadiums:
 RT is not more than 4 s in the frequency range 125 – 4000 Hz when the stadium is used for
multi-purpose events;
 STI (speech transmission index for PA system) for a full stadium > 0,55 (recommended value –0,75);
 The non-uniformity of the sound field frequency response produced by the sound amplification
system, should be ± 3 dB in the frequency range 125 – 4000 Hz (at STI being at least 0,5).
Based on international experience, the main specified parameter for an electro-acoustic concert hallis the RT. According to the Russian standard [2], the reverberation time for an electroacoustic hall withan air volume > 50,000 m3 should be no more than 2 s. In addition, for the electroacoustic hall, theparameters of speech intelligibility, the uniform distribution of the sound field among spectator seats,
are important along with other characteristics. However, these parameters are associated with soundamplification characteristics: radiators arrangement, radiators orientation, etc. When using a stadium
for concerts, an imported (hired) set of equipment is chiefly used, therefore, these parameters are notevaluated in this work.

3. ACOUSTICAL SURVEY OF THE STADIUMS
Acoustical survey of the stadiums was carried out in compliance with standard [3]. The
reverberation RT time, the STI index, and the unevenness of the sound field in the stands were
measured at the stadiums without spectators. A standard sound amplification system – linear arrays
and clusters installed above the seats were used as a source of the test signal. The sound receiver – thetest microphone – was installed on the spectator's places in several points (at least 18 – 20 points,
evenly distributed over the spectators seats). Since the stadium has a symmetrical shape, the impulse
response was measured only for 1/4 of the stadium area.
3.1 Stadiums characteristics
Table 1 provides the stadiums characteristics: capacity and air volume.

Stadium

Table 1 – Characteristics of stadiums
Capacity
Volume, m3
Stadium

Capacity

Volume, m3

Kazan (KZ)

45 3791,1×106

Samara (SM)41 9701,2×106

Kaliningrad (KL)35 0160,8×106

Saransk (SR)43 9581,1×106

Moscow (MSC)

78 011

2,2×106

Sochi (SCH)

44 287

1,2×106

Nizhny Novgorod (NN)45 0001,1×106

Volgograd (VL)

45 568106

Rostov-on-Don (RD)43 472106

Yekaterinburg (YEK)

35 6960,7×106

St. Petersburg (SP)64 468

2×106

3.2 Measuring RT reverberation time
The RT values, measured at stadiums in the frequency range 125 – 4000 Hz, are averaged over all
measurement points and are given in Table 2.
As we can see from the measurement results, stadiums without spectators produce higher the RT
value than the recommended values [1]. The RT values measured at different stadiums vary from 4,1 s
to 8,94 s at medium frequencies. This difference can be explained by different geometry, air volume
and finishing materials. The Yekaterinburg stadium has perforated wall cladding, the Sochi stadium
does not have a roof over the transverse stands, the stadiums in Moscow and St. Petersburg have thelargest roof area above the stands.

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Table 2 – Measured values of RT in unoccupied stadiums
RT, s, in the frequency range 125 – 4000 Hz

Stadium

125

250

500

1000

2000

4000

Kazan (KZ)

5,08

5,47

5,46

5,38

4,92

3,75

Kaliningrad (KL)

3,79

4,59

5,18

5,34

4,63

3,32

Moscow (MSC)

7,91

7,52

8,24

8,18

6,12

3,44

Nizhny Novgorod (NN)

6,09

6,70

6,92

6,56

5,82

3,56

Rostov-on-Don (RD)

3,74

5,11

5,99

5,95

5,09

3,29

St. Petersburg (SP)

8,68

8,28

8,94

8,32

6,02

2,88

Samara (SM)

7,78

7,83

7,58

7,85

6,64

4,59

Saransk (SR)

5,84

6,18

6,31

6,10

4,86

3,06

Sochi (SCH)

4,48

5,29

6,05

6,20

5,75

4,28

Volgograd (VL)

4,42

5,09

5,94

5,90

4,92

3,00

Yekaterinburg (YEK)

3,85

3,89

4,10

4,35

4,12

3,21

3.3 Measuring STI speech transmission index
The values of the STI, measured at the stadiums, are averaged by first circle, second circle, andthroughout the stadium and are provided in Table 3.
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according to [1], at stadiums without spectators. Since STI depends both on the premises geometry, on
the characteristics of the sound amplification system, and on the noise level in the premises, one can beassume that the tuning or correction of the PA system will allow to comply with the requirements [1].

Stadium

Table 3 – Measured values of STI in unoccupied stadiums
STI
First circle

Second circle

Throughout the stadium

Kazan (KZ)

0,56

0,40

0,47

Kaliningrad (KL)

0,48

0,51

0,50

Moscow (MSC)

0,47

0,40

0,43

Nizhny Novgorod (NN)

0,54

0,51

0,53

Rostov-on-Don (RD)

0,49

0,44

0,46

St. Petersburg (SP)

0,53

0,54

0,53

Samara (SM)

0,44

0,37

0,40

Saransk (SR)

0,44

0,62

0,53

Sochi (SCH)

0,52

0,48

0,50

Volgograd (VL)

0,57

0,59

0,58

Yekaterinburg (YEK)

0,57

0,52

0,54

3.4 Measuring the sound field unevenness
The values of sound field unevenness, measured at the stadiums in the frequency range 125 – 4,000
Hz, are assessed over all measurement points and are provided in Table 4. The table shows thedifference between the maximum and minimum deviation of sound pressure levels from the reference
value measured in each frequency band.

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Table 4 – Measured values of sound field unevenness in unoccupied stadiums
Stadium
Kazan (KZ)
Kaliningrad (KL)Moscow (MSC)
Nizhny Novgorod (NN)
Rostov-on-Don (RD)St. Petersburg (SP)Samara (SM)Saransk (SR)Sound field unevenness, dB, in the frequency range 125 – 4000 Hz
125

250

500

1000

2000

4000

-1,8

-2,9

-2,9

-1,8

-3,0

-4,0

+4,2

+4,4

+3,4

+4,7

+4,7

+5,7

-3,5

-2,8

-0,7

-0,1

-0,6

-0,7

+2,9

+4,1

+5,8

+8,2

+8,8

+9,1

-2,8

-4,6

-2,1

-0,6

-1,4

-6,2

+7,6

+5,2

+4,0

+4,5

+4,1

+4,3

-2,4

-2,1

-1,7

-0,2

-2,3

-2,3

+0,4

+0,4

+1,6

+2,7

+1,0

+3,7

-6,4

-5,0

-5,8

-4,2

-2,9

-7,4

+0,1

+0,7

+0,2

+0,4

+3,4

+1,8

-2,5

-2,1

-2,5

-2,6

-2,9

-3,4

+4,3

+2,8

+3,1

+3,6

+2,5

+3,1

-1,8

-1,3

-0,4

-2,1

-3,9

-4,3

+4,2

+4,6

+4,0

+0,7

+0,1

+0,1

-2,3

-2,6

-1,0

-0,1

-0,6

-0,4

+4,3

+3,1

+4,2

+4,3

+3,8

+7,2

Table 4 – Measured values of sound field unevenness in unoccupied stadiums
Sound field unevenness, dB, in the frequency range 125 – 4000 Hz
Stadium
125
250
500
1000
2000
4000
Sochi (SCH)
Volgograd (VL)
Yekaterinburg (YEK)

-2,1

-1,8

-0,8

-1,3

-1,1

-1,5

+2,4

+2,5

+1,8

+2,8

+3,8

+1,7

-2,6

-2,2

-2,0

-1,8

-4,5

-4,1

+3,3

+2,2

+1,2

+1,8

+2,3

+2,7

-2,7

-1,3

-4,5

-4,4

-3,7

-4,9

+5,7

+5,1

+2,8

+3,2

+3,7

+1,8

As we can see from the measurement results, in some stadiums, there is unevenness of the soundfield in the stands, which does not comply with the requirements [1]. Probably an additional tuning of
the PA system is required.

4. ANALYSIS OF THE STADIUMS ACOUSTIC CHARACTERISTICS
4.1 Spectators effect on the stadiums acoustic characteristics
Assessment of spectator’s effect on the stadiums acoustic parameters is exemplified by the St.
Petersburg stadium.
To assess the spectator’s effect, an acoustic model of the stadium was built in ODEON 12.15
software application. The sound absorption coefficients of stadium materials (field, walls, stands) are
assumed in accordance with the sound absorption coefficients from the reference literature. The RT
values obtained during the modeling correspond to the measured values with an accuracy of ~ 5%.
Table 5 shows the calculated values of the RT at the stadium with spectators (70% of the stands are814

filled with spectators), which are compared with the measured reverberation time values with empty
stands.
Table 5 – Calculated and measured values of RT in occupied and unoccupied stadiums
RT, s, in the frequency range 125 – 4000 Hz

Condition

125

250

500

1000

2000

4000

Unoccupied (measured), s

8,7

8,3

8,9

8,3

6,0

2,9

Occupied (calculated), s

7,4

6,7

6,4

6,1

4,9

2,8

Difference, s (%)

1,3 (15%)

1,6 (19%)

2,5 (28%)

2,2 (26%)

1,1 (18%)

0,1 (4%)

Table 6 provides the calculated values of the STI at the stadium with the spectators, which arecompared with the STI measured values with empty stands values.
Table 6 – Calculated and measured values of STI in occupied and unoccupied stadiums
Condition
STI
Unoccupied (measured, background noise 45 dBA)

0,53

Occupied (calculated, background noise 45 dBA)

0,57 (+ 4%)

Occupied (calculated, background noise 90 dBA)

0,56 (+ 3%)

Based on the results of computer modeling, the inference can be made on the spectator’s positive
influence on the acoustic characteristics: the reverberation time for full stands decreases at medium
frequencies by up to 28%, the STI increases by 3 – 4%.
4.2 Geometry effect on the acoustics
This work presents assessment of the stadiums geometric characteristics effect on acoustics. Figure
1 shows the dependence of the RT on the specific air volume.
30

SP
MSC
SCH
SM
SR

25

NN

VN, m3

KZ
KL

RD
VL

20
YEK

15
4

5

6

7
RT, s

8

9

10

Figure 1 – RT and V N dependence
Specific air volume per viewer V N is determined using the formula:
V N = V/N,
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Where V – the stadium air volume, m3, N – stadium capacity, people.
Figure 2 shows the dependence of the RT on the specific area of the stadium roofing
5.0
MSC

4.5
NN

4.0

KZ

3.0
SN

SM

SR

RD

3.5

SP

VL

2.5
2.0

KL

1.5

SCH

YEK

1.0
0.5
0.0
4

5

6

7
RT, s

8

9

10

Figure 2 – RT and S N dependence. Specific area of roofing S N is determined using the formula:
S N = S R /S E ,Where S R – the roofing area above the stands, m2 , S E – the area of the glade above the field, m2 .
Based on the analysis performed, we can make inference on the RT being directly proportional to
the stadiums air volume.
The roofing area above the stands is a reflective surface, therefore, an increase in the roofing area
above the stands increases the RT. The Sochi stadium has roofing only above the longitudinal stands,
which accounts for S N low ratio.
4.3 Effect of the stadiums acoustics on fans support
Modeling was performed in ODEON 12.15 software application. 3 stadiums with the following
forms in the plane were studied: Kaliningrad (rectangular shape), Volgograd (oval shape), Samara(circle shape).
To estimate the fan support index, the FSI was introduced, which was calculated along the stands.
FSI = 6 – DL2, dB,
Where DL2 is the rate of spatial decay of sound pressure levels per distance doubling. For a freefield DL2= 6 dB. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the stadium shape on the fan
support level. The smaller the DL2 value, the lower the sound attenuation along the stands and thehigher the stands fan support and consequently, the higher the FSI is.
The omnidirectional sound source was located at 2 points of the stands behind the gates (along thecentral axis of the stand): in the upper part of the stand (source P 1 ) and in the lower part of the stands
at a height of approximately 5 m from the field level (source P 2 ). The sound source was placed at aheight of 1,2 m from the floor level at the stadium (sitting fan imitation). The sound receivers werelocated along the stands at a distance of 20 – 30 m from each other. Up to 10 sound receivers were
installed along the upper circle and up to 7 receivers – along the lower circle at a height of 1.2 m fromthe floor level. These receivers simulate behavior of the other fans sitting in stands.

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The sound sources power level was chosen to be equal to 117 dBA (or 110 dB in octave-frequency
bands 63 – 8000 Hz).
The sound absorption coefficients of stadium materials (field grass, walls, stands) are assumed inaccordance with the sound absorption coefficients from the reference literature. The RT values
obtained during the modeling correspond to the measured values with an accuracy of ~ 5%.
Fig.3, Fig.4 and Fig.5 provide computer models of Kaliningrad (rectangle shape), Volgograd (ovalshape) and Samara stadiums (circle shape) with indication of sound sources and receivers positions.

Figure 3 – KL Odeon model (rectangle shape)

Figure 4 – VL Odeon model (oval shape)

Figure 5 – SM Odeon model (circle shape)

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Table 7 provides FSI values for stadiums. The lowest FSI value corresponds to the fastest soundattenuation and is determined for the Kaliningrad stadium (rectangular shape). The highest value of the
FSI corresponds to the slowest sound attenuation, and thus – to high fan support, and is determined for
the Samara stadium (circle shape). The Volgograd stadium (oval shape) has an average value of the FSI.
The difference is most noticeable in the upper stands, while in the lower stands it is noticeable to alesser extent, since the stadiums have similar geometry on the first circle and unique geometry on thesecond circle.
Thus, it is shown that the stadium shape affects the sound propagation along the stands (fan support
index). The higher the FSI, the higher fan support index value is, the football fans chanting better
propagates along the round stadiums stands.
Table 7 – Calculated values of FSI
Stadium

FSI, dB
Second circle

First circle

KL (rectangle shape)

1,9

2,0

VL (oval shape)

2,5

2,1

SM (circle spahe)

3,7

2,2

5. CONCLUSIONS
11 football stadiums in Russia were studied for the World Cup. RT values at stadiums without
spectators varies from 4,1 to 8,9 s in medium frequencies. STI corresponds to values from 0,40 to 0,58.
The spectator’s effect on the changes in the acoustic parameters of the stadiums was assessed based oncomputer modeling: the RT at the stadium with spectator’s decreases by up to 28% at medium
frequencies, the STI for a stadium with spectator’s increases by up to 4%.
The geometry of stadiums and acoustic characteristics ratio was analyzed: with an increase in theroofing area above the stadiums stand, as well as the air volume of the stadiums, increase in the RT isobserved.
The effect of stadium shape on fan support was analyzed. The FSI (fan support index) was
introduced, which was calculated for the stadiums Kaliningrad (rectangular shape), Volgograd (ovalshape) and Samara (circle shape) based on the computer model. The FSI is higher in round stadiums.

REFERENCES
1. FIFA World Cup Handbooks Stadium Requirements Handbook (Stadium Infrastructure & Stadium
Operations) Version 2018 FIFA World Cup / 01.11.2014.
2. Russian rules 51.13330.2011 Sound protection updated edition ɋɇɢɉ 23-03-2003 (Moscow, 2011).
3. ISO 3382 Acoustics—Measurements of the Reverberation Time of Rooms with Reference to the Other
Acoustical Parameters (ISO, Geneva, 2009).
4. Lautenbach M, Heringa P, Vercammen M. Acoustics for large scale indoor pop events (ISRA 2007,
Seville).
5. Prasetiyo I, Sarwono J, Natanael H, Tanjung I. Study on acoustic performance of football stadium (ICSV
2016, Athens).

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