The current weather is having a dramatic impact on sporting events, with snowy and icy conditions leading to many postponements.
It is vital that the significant effect on disabled fans’ matchdays is always considered, and accessibility is a priority in planning and decision making.
The 2025 Level Playing Field Annual Fan Survey results revealed:
- Physical access at stadiums is the most common barrier to disabled supporters attending live sport.
- 43% of disabled sports fans would benefit from accessibility information, when planning and travelling to a match.
- Inaccessible public transport is a barrier to 22.5% of disabled fans attending live sport.
- 29% of respondents have had to miss a match due to a lack of accessible parking.
- Accessibility impacts when 76% of disabled supporters arrive at or leave sporting events, with over 60% of those respondents arriving more than an hour in advance (2024 survey data).
The detrimental impact weather conditions can have in relation to each of these findings cannot be overstated.
Accessibility around the stadium must be a priority in the planning stages, but an understanding of disabled supporters’ wider matchdays is also important.
Processes must be in place to ensure welfare support is available when events remain on, or postponements take place.
Communication on updates should be made to supporters as early as possible and must be accessible.
For advice on accessibility for disabled supporters, in adverse weather, please get in touch with Level Playing Field.