Sports Facilities Planning Guide
Technical Standards
This guide provides measurements and material specifications for each type of sport facility, aligned with both international and local standards. It also includes a method to calculate user capacity for every space.
General Planning Principles
Site Selection
Site selection depends on various factors including the type of sports facility (e.g. stadium, training center), available space, proximity to residential zones, transport access, and basic services (water, electricity, sewage, roads). Future population growth and demand must also be considered.
Wind Orientation
Wind affects player performance. Outdoor fields should be oriented to equalize wind impact on both teams. Indoor buildings should allow airflow and ventilation.
Sunlight Direction
The angle of sunlight affects players, referees, and spectators. Orientation should allow balanced sunlight on both halves of the field. Ideally, the main axis should run north to south, allowing for ±15° adjustments based on location.
Surface Slopes
- Outdoor: max 0.5%, sloped perpendicular to the field.
- Indoor: max 0.15%, also sloped for drainage from cleaning.
Supervision
- Control rooms should have full visual access to all activity areas.
- All areas of the facility should be easily supervised.
Safety, Health, and Operational Efficiency
Safety, Health, and Public Welfare
- Facilities must be far from pollution, hazards, and noise sources.
- Fields must be surrounded by sufficient space free of sharp or solid objects.
- Entrance and exit doors must match the number of users and open outward to avoid crowding.
- All sports and maintenance equipment must be stored away from play areas.
- A first aid room should be available.
- Fire extinguishers and alarm systems must be installed according to civil defense rules.
- Install security cameras and surveillance systems.
- Ensure sufficient and appropriately sized restrooms for users.
- Daily sanitation, water drainage, and ventilation must be maintained.
- Field surfaces must be clean, level, and free of any hazards to athletes.
- Install physical barriers separating spectator areas from playing fields without blocking views.
- Designate spaces for media and press members.
- Emergency exits must be provided and clearly marked.
Future Expansion Potential
- Plan for future technological upgrades in equipment and infrastructure.
- Allow for changes in sports regulations and court dimensions.
- Provide space for horizontal or vertical expansion of the facility.
- Design spaces for temporary bleachers or seating in case of large tournaments or events.
Optimal Use of Facilities
Efficient operation of sports facilities is crucial. Maximizing usage hours and accommodating different user groups across seasons increases facility value.
- Utilize facility space and location for multiple purposes.
- Create multiple sports fields to make the most of available land.
- Use durable, high-quality materials suitable for continuous use.
- Develop seasonal programming and host events year-round.
Calculating Capacity
To determine the capacity of any room or area:
- Calculate the total floor area in square meters.
- Identify the function or use classification of the space.
- Apply the occupancy factor (area per person) based on usage type.
Capacity = Area (m²) / Occupancy Factor (m²/person)
Football Fields
Standard Football Field
Field Dimensions: 105 meters long and 68 meters wide.
Additional Safety Zone: Behind the goals, there should be an extra space of 8.5 meters on the sides and 10 meters behind the goal lines for warm-ups, officials, media, etc.
Surface Types:
- Natural grass – thick and soft
- Artificial turf – made of plastic or rubber
- Hybrid turf – natural grass enhanced with synthetic elements for durability
Goal Dimensions: 7.32 meters wide and 2.44 meters high. The goal consists of two vertical posts joined by a horizontal crossbar.
Beach Soccer Field
Field Dimensions: Length between 35–37 meters, marked with 10 cm wide boundary lines.
- The center line is marked with red flags.
- Penalty areas are marked 9 meters from the goal, indicated with yellow flags.
- Substitution zones are placed along the sideline, similar to futsal.
Surface: Sand surface, with a depth of at least 40 cm.
Goal Dimensions: 5.5 meters wide and 2.2 meters high. The posts must be vertical and secure.