Obstructed view seating can significantly impact the fan experience at live events like concerts, sports games, and theater performances. An obstructed view occurs when pillars, overhangs, lighting fixtures or other structures partially block the view of the stage or playing field from a fan’s seat. While some obstruction may be unavoidable in certain venues, extreme obstructed views can frustrate attendees and detract from the event.
In this article, we will examine the prevalence of obstructed view seating, factors that contribute to it, and potential solutions. Key questions explored include:
- How common is obstructed view seating at major venues?
- What causes obstructed views and what design factors make them worse?
- How frustrated do fans get with obstructed views and does it impact return attendance?
- What can be done to avoid or minimize obstructed viewing areas?
By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of this seating challenge and how venues might provide better experiences.
How Common is Obstructed View Seating?
Obstructed view seats are common enough that most major ticket purchasing platforms and venues have policies regarding them. Online ticket sellers like Ticketmaster allow buyers to preview obstructed views from certain seats when purchasing. Many venues classify obstructed view areas as such when selling tickets.
However, quantifying the exact number of obstructed view seats is difficult. There is no official database and venues have varying definitions of obstruction. A venue may classify a seat with a slightly obscured corner of the stage as obstructed, while another venue would consider that same seat perfectly fine.
Still, surveys and owner reports give a sense of obstruction prevalence:
- A 2018 Ticketmaster survey found 86% of concert goers had attended an event with an obstructed view.
- In a League of American Theatres and Producers study, 97% of Broadway theaters had obstructed view seats, averaging 10-20% of capacity.
- Sporting venues like Madison Square Garden estimate around 15% of seats have limited views. Teams rarely reveal numbers.
- Some venues like the Oakland Coliseum have a third of seats with described obstructed views.
So while exact figures are uncertain, it’s clear obstructed seating is common. The majority of fans will encounter it across enough events.
How Views Become Obstructed
There are a few core reasons seats may have obstructed sight lines:
Pillars: Large structural pillars are a common obstruction, especially in older venues. Pillars may be load-bearing or part of an architectural aesthetic. They block views when seated directly behind them.
Overhangs: Balconies and upper seating tiers can create overhangs that partially block lower seating. The closer to the stage, the worse the overhang impact.
Lighting/Equipment: Large lighting rigs, speakers, and other production equipment can block sight lines, especially for concerts. Seats behind these elements tend to be cheaper.
Poor Design: Some venues simply have bad seat positioning or aisles that create gaps. Designs that yield many center obstructed views mean the venue wasn’t optimized.
Obstruction causes vary, but pillars and overhangs from balconies are most prevalent in older facilities. Newer arenas and stadiums remove pillars and optimize seating.
Factors Exacerbating Obstructed Views
Certain characteristics of venues and seating can make existing obstructions even worse:
Room Shape: Rectangular venues with narrower stages yield more center sections with obstructed views compared to square or oval designs.
Steepness: Steeply vertical venues like some theatres have overhangs blocking more rows than shallow raked venues.
Seat Proximity: The closer to an obstruction, the worse it is. Front row seats behind pillars or first balcony rows under overhangs have it worst.
Leaning: Venues where patrons typically stand or lean forward pressure those behind to do the same, making obstructions more frustrating.
Event Type: Frequent moving around or spread out stages, like concerts, impact more seat views versus contained stages like ballet.
Architectural factors that increase obstruction issues include: vintage design, narrow stages, vertical orientation, and front rows near overhangs. Careful seat mapping and pricing helps mitigate poor design.
Fan Frustration with Obstructed Views
How exactly do obstructed views impact the attendee experience? Research reveals the degree of frustration and lost enjoyment caused by blocked sight lines:
83% of concert goers called obstructed views frustrating in a 2018 Ticketmaster survey.
76% said their enjoyment was negatively impacted by obstructions.
95% ranked their satisfaction lower for events where views were obstructed.
Obstructed view areas see 18% less food and beverage sales since fans spend less time in seats.
Fans say pillar obstructions are the worst, blocking central views entirely versus just limiting peripheral visibility.
While some obstruction is expected in older venues, extreme lack of visibility clearly detracts from fan satisfaction based on self-reported irritation.
Beyond frustration in the moment, obstructed views may dampen repeat attendance. A full 67% of fans say obstructed views make them less likely to return to a venue again.
Fan Complaints
Some example fan complaints about obstructed view experiences illustrate the frustration:
“The ushers had to constantly ask people to sit back down so we could see anything at all. And we still missed stuff.”
“I could barely see anything other than shapes moving around, making out details was impossible.”
“Why should I pay the same price just to stare at a pillar all night?”
“They should really warn you or discount obstructed seats more. It ruined the show.”
Venues clearly need to balance obstruction issues to maintain positive fan experiences and loyalty.
Minimizing Obstructed View Seating
Given the drawbacks, how can venues minimize and mitigate obstructed seating areas? While complete elimination may not be possible, a combination of strategies can help significantly:
Careful Design in New Venues
Thoughtful design choices in new construction makes obstructed views highly avoidable:
- Wider stages and oval or square venue shapes reduce center sections behind pillars.
- Shallower rakes and higher rows reduce balcony overhang issues.
- Fewer columns, cantilevers, and larger spans avoid pillars.
- Seating around balconies and under overhangs is set further back.
- Lighting, speakers and production elements are positioned strategically.
Proper planning can yield venues with under 5% obstruction rates, compared to 15-35% in old buildings. While cost is a factor, the investment pays long-term dividends.
Refurbishment of Existing Venues
What about improving obstructed views in older venues? Refurbishments, often called “seat kills,” can help:
- Removing seats: Eliminating rows and aisles behind obstructions opens up views.
- Relocating seating: Moving sections away from overhangs or pillars improves visibility.
- Technology: Adding LED screens and displays supplement views.
- Sightline mapping: Laser scans and 3D models identify problem spots to target.
Renovations reduce seating capacity but deliver much better fan experiences in dated venues. Targeted refurbishment is ideal, but costly full renovations have maximum impact.
Pricing and Sales Policies
If obstructions cannot be fully eliminated, adjusted pricing and sales policies help:
- Detailed seat maps and precise obstruction labeling guide buyers.
- View-obstructed seating is heavily discounted 25-40% or more.
- Restricted views are not sold as regular tickets.
- Exchanges allowed for obstructed tickets.
- Obstructed seats sold last and made clear at purchase.
Fair policies and pricing means fans aren’t overpaying for compromised seats they are unsatisfied with. This limits backlash.
A combination of new venue design, older venue revamps, and transparent sales tactics reduces negative fan experiences with obstructions. The goal is to minimize unavoidable restricted views.
Case Studies in Obstruction Reduction
Looking at specific venue examples illustrates how sightline improvements succeed:
Denver’s Empower Field at Mile High
Home of the Denver Broncos, this NFL stadium opened in 2001 to replace the obstructed view-plagued Mile High Stadium. The old venue had over 30% obstructed views, many behind pillars.
Empower Field was designed pillar-free with large spanning trusses and cantilevers. Visibility-blocking luminaries were eliminated. The result was under 3% obstructed seating, most in limited corners. Views are unimpeded in the prime lower bowl.
72,000 capacity was maintained, proving high attendance and low obstruction are achievable together.
Lyric Theatre London Redesign
The Lyric Theatre in London’s West End was fully renovated in 2015 after complaints of poor limited-view seating. Over 500 obstructed seats were eliminated by removing 4 rows and raising the rear stalls.
New slimmer seating increased legroom and improved all sightlines. Capacity dropped slightly but view quality increased dramatically.
Boston Symphony Hall Remodel
Boston Symphony Hall had its seating re-raked and relocated in the early 2000s. Capacity decreased from 2,625 to 2,370 but seat pitch and accessibility improved.
Side balcony seats were angled inward for better stage views. Obstructed view percentages went from 25% to under 10%.
Key Takeaways
In summary, these are the critical points on obstructed view seating:
- Obstructed views are common but the exact percentage of seats affected is unknown, with venue estimates from 10-35%.
- Pillars and balcony overhangs are the primary causes, especially in older venue designs.
- Proximity to obstructions and facility shape impact severity.
- Fans confirm obstructed views mar enjoyment, satisfaction levels, and intent to return.
- Thoughtful design avoids obstructions in new venues, while refurbishment fixes existing ones.
- Discounted pricing and flexible policies ease frustrations.
- Targeted renovations and seat kills significantly improve experiences.
While some obstructed views persist, especially in historic venues, new construction and renovations prove the problem can be minimized. The bottom line is obstructed seating dampens fan experiences. Venues can and should implement changes to view quality and transparency around impacted seats. The improvements are well worth it.
Conclusion
Obstructed views undeniably harm the live event experience for fans, survey data confirms. Venues must balance obstruction challenges with the desire for maximum capacity and concessions. Refurbishment targeted at improving viewing angles and lines of sight pays off in greater attendance loyalty and lifetime customer value. With strategic planning, both optimal visibility and revenue goals can thrive together. Ultimately, venues benefit by prioritizing the fan perspective and reducing frustrations with obstructed seating areas. This builds faith that even upper decks and side sections will offer money’s worth views, driving sales.