Fan Experience Tips For Creating A Vibrant Fan Zone


If you run a sports club and have decided it is time for it to have its own dedicated fan zone, make sure to work through this five- point checklist so that your facility instantly draws in the crowds:


1. Get the location right – Your fan zone should be set up either as an extension or a close neighbouring site to your sport club’s ground, which can be easily accessed by every supporter.


2. Make sure the design optimises event flow – Entry and exit points need to be set out so that supporters never feel stressed getting around your fan zone, while there should be enough space for queuing without this disrupting those enjoying the live entertainment.


Bishop Auckland FC’s Fan Zone / Community Hub Under The Spotlight


One of the UK’s newest sports fan zones is the Bishop Auckland FC Fan Zone / Community Hub2 public on Saturday August 16th.


, which officially opened to the


A standout facility for those attending Bishop Auckland FC home games during the 2025/26 season, the vibrant social hub was constructed by Cleveland Containers with the following features: • A ground-level 40ft high cube shipping container, complete


with bifolding doors which can open directly onto the football club’s pitchside area. This means that fans using the facility never need to miss any minute of the game.


• A second-storey 10ft high shipping container, which has


a TV, table and chairs. This allows supporters to relax inside a comfy lounge area while visiting Bishop Auckland FC’s ground.


Bishop Auckland FC’s Director Steve Coulthard praised the entire work carried out to create the fan zone as being “professional and straightforward”, as well as noting that the club’s “requirements were for it to look great and fit perfectly into a specific space, which it absolutely does”.


He added: “The finished product has been a huge success. Everyone is amazed that it’s made from shipping containers. The quality of the cladding is second to none, and the bifold doors are better than many people have in their homes. Fans have said it’s a definite ground improvement and it looks fantastic.”


3. Link some attractions directly to your beloved sport – This could be with a keepy-up challenge for football fans to try and one-up their friends, or TVs which are broadcasting earlier live games in the same sport.


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4. Encourage members


of your sports


club


to


visit –


Supporters of your beloved team will be overjoyed if they have opportunities to meet their favourite players when they pop into your fan zone.


5. Don’t forget about lounge areas – Fans may visit your fan zone before a game for food or after a match to chill out with friends, so provide them with cosy seating where they can sit back and relax while socialising.


Rees also advised as one additional tip: “Shipping containers should be considered when you are building a fan zone, as they are cheaper to construct than traditional hospitality venues.


“What’s more, the fact they can be stacked to create multi-level areas or arranged in unique configurations to maximise views and space gives you plenty of flexibility when deciding on your fan zone’s final design.”


For more information please visit: https://www.clevelandcontainers.co.uk/


1: https://fieldmarketing.com/news/new-research-establishes-how-official-sports-fan-zones-attract-new-visitors-and-boost-footfall-to-out-of-home-venues/ 2: https://www.clevelandcontainers.co.uk/case-studies/bishop-auckland-fc-fan-zone-community-hub


Sources for further information:


• https://pioneergroup.co.uk/the-rise-of-fan-zones-a-winning-strategy-for-football-clubs/ • https://www.juliacharleseventmanagement.co.uk/how-to-create-an-engaging-fan-zone/


• https://www.juliacharleseventmanagement.co.uk/how-to-build-an-outdoor-fan-zone-event/ • https://hivo.co/blog/exploring-the-benefits-of-sports-fan-zones


• https://www.clevelandcontainers.co.uk/news-and-blog/the-best-bar-none-benefits-of-shipping-container-bar-conversions • https://www.facebook.com/groups/219290063633474/posts/1118514497044355/


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