Arenas versus Multifunctional Stadiums: Which do Spectators Prefer?

Journal of Sports Economics, Vol. 10, No. 2, 2009

Posted: 1 Dec 2009 Last revised: 15 Dec 2009

See all articles by Arne Feddersen

Arne Feddersen

Hamburg University of Economics and Politics

Wolfgang Maennig

Universität Hamburg, Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences

Date Written: April 1, 2009

Abstract

Construction of large sports stadiums follows two different general concepts: (a) monofunctional arenas that are specially suited for one sport exclusively and that are characterized by the absence of an athletic track and (b) multifunctional sports stadiums that can be used for different sporting or cultural events. Officials of clubs often argue that the atmosphere in an arena is significantly better than that of a multipurpose facility and that spectators prefer such an atmosphere. Estimated panel regression with fixed effects shows a significant positive effect of a monofunctional soccer stadium on spectator demand. Controlling for other demand determinants in the German professional soccer league, Bundesliga, an isolated effect of around 2,800 additional spectators a game can be found. This translates into a substantial increase of about 10.7% against the mean value of 25,602 spectators per Bundesliga game in the seasons 1963-1964 to 2005-2006.

Keywords: demand for sport, soccer, monofunctional arenas, multifunctional stadiums

Suggested Citation

Feddersen, Arne and Maennig, Wolfgang, Arenas versus Multifunctional Stadiums: Which do Spectators Prefer? (April 1, 2009). Journal of Sports Economics, Vol. 10, No. 2, 2009, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1516250

Arne Feddersen

Hamburg University of Economics and Politics ( email )

Von-Melle-Park 9
Hamburg, 20149
Germany

Wolfgang Maennig (Contact Author)

Universität Hamburg, Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences ( email )

Von-Melle-Park 5
Hamburg, 20146
Germany

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