EXCLUSIVE: Special sensory suites will allow supporters who get overwhelmed by noise to chill out in comfy seats watching hi-tech tellys tuned to anything but football
World Cup stadiums are to have quiet rooms – for fans who don’t like cheering. The sensory suites will cut out crowd noise for supporters who feel overwhelmed during matches.
Instead of watching the action, they will be able to sit inside a soundproofed studio boasting comfortable seats, dimmed lighting and state-of-the-art TVs – tuned to anything but the football.
All 16 host stadiums across the US, Mexico and Canada will be fitted with the crowd-free cabins, which will be available for all 104 matches – including the final.
FIFA chiefs said the move was designed to allow up to 16.5% of the population who may suffer sensory sensitivity to still enjoy the tournament.
A spokesman for football’s world governing body said: “For fans who experience sensory overload the intensity of live sporting events – including the high energy of the crowd, sudden cheers and ongoing movement – can make attending feel overwhelming or inaccessible.
“This initiative looks to change that, marking an important evolution in how global sporting events serve diverse audiences.
“Fans at the upcoming competition will be able to access a sensory room once they have entered the stadium footprint on matchday.
“These spaces are designed for people who experience sensory overload – including individuals with autism, post-traumatic stress disorder, dementia, anxiety and other conditions – and will provide calming, supportive environments amid the buzz of the match-going crowd.”
The rooms will be free to ticket holders and will ‘include a dedicated quiet space where fans can step away from the intensity of the match to regulate their sensory experience’.
Electronic giant Hisense – one of the tournament’s sponsors – will provide TVs ‘presenting calming visual content’ designed to ‘support relaxation and sensory regulation’.
“No matter the Host City fans will have access to a space throughout every minute of the game in recognition of the fact that sensory needs can arise at any point during the event experience,” the spokesman added.
The tournament’s chief operating officer Heimo Schirgi said: “Football unites the world and it is our goal to help everyone to participate in the sport – whether as a player or as a fan.
“With the resources provided fans with sensory needs will be able to enjoy the beautiful game in person with us at the greatest FIFA World Cup yet.”
Catherine Fang, vice-president of Hisense Group, said: “We believe every innovation should enrich every life.
“True innovation means turning technology into access – and ensuring no-one is left on the sidelines.”
Noise-haters and their families can also get free match tickets. The move stunned fans faced with forking out the highest prices in the tournament’s history for seats.
Tickets for the July 19 final in New Jersey are on sale for up to £24,500. Seats at England’s group games cost up to £4,000.
One fan said: “Why would you spend all that money going to a match only to sit in a room outside missing it?
“If you don’t want to hear cheering at a football match just get a ticket for Scotland.”
When tennis chiefs introduced quiet rooms at Wimbledon in 2022 it turned into an own goal – as fans used them for sex.
Two lockable booths boasting armchairs and fold-away tables were installed behind Court 12 as an ‘inclusive space’ for spectators to escape the stress of watching the action.
But couples were soon spotted adjusting their clothing and grinning broadly as they left.
One user heard kissing noises coming from the neighbouring cubicle. Two children were spotted giggling after spending 15 minutes inside listening to the antics next door.
One eyewitness said: “This couple disappeared inside, locked the door and they were gone for ages.
“I had time to finish two Pimm’s while they were in there. The sign on the door said `engaged’.
“When they came out they were laughing away to themselves. There was no doubt what had been going on – clearly some very serious reflection!”
Another fan said: “I went for a sit down in one of these booths and all I could hear was kissing next door.”
Tournament chiefs said the rooms were an ‘important part of our efforts to ensure that Wimbledon is for everyone’, adding: “This inclusive space is used for a variety of reasons including to support those with additional needs and to support any religious requirements or quiet reflection.”
The following year the rooms were moved from temporary cabins to a new permanent location inside the stand with then-All England Lawn Tennis Club chief executive officer Sally Bolton warning fans security guards would ensure they were used ‘the right way’.
Spectators were warned they faced up to two years in jail if they were caught having sex in a public place or indecent exposure.
A spokesman for sports analysts AceOdds said ‘sexually-charged’ fans could ‘even find themselves on the sex offenders’ register’.