Allseater

An allseater is a stadium or venue in which every spectator is provided with a seat, and where standing areas are not used for general admission. The term is most often applied to football stadiums, particularly in the United Kingdom and Ireland, but can describe any venue designed to be all-seated.

Origins and policy: The concept gained prominence after the Hillsborough disaster in 1989 and the subsequent Taylor Report of 1990, which recommended that top-division football grounds in the United Kingdom be converted to all-seater facilities for safety reasons. This led to widespread conversion of terraced sections into seated stands and to long-term expectations that many venues would remain all-seated.

Construction and capacity: All-seater configurations may be achieved in new-build stadiums or by retrofitting existing grounds. In retrofits, standing terraces are replaced with seating, often reducing overall capacity. Seat design, accessibility, and viewing sightlines are key factors in the planning of all-seater venues.

Impacts and debate: Proponents argue that all-seater stadiums enhance safety, comfort, and accessibility, and improve crowd management. Critics contend that the policy lowers capacity and increases costs and can diminish the traditional atmosphere of standing terraces. Some jurisdictions have allowed regulated standing areas, sometimes marketed as 'safe standing', though this remains controversial.

Examples and usage: The term is widely used for English and Irish clubs and venues; many top-tier stadiums are all-seater. The concept is also observed in other sports venues and in planned stadiums outside the British Isles, though the specifics vary by country and governing body.