Since the beginning of mankind, Physical activity, is an essential component of his life on earth, starting with hunting for the provision of food, fighting for survival, social entertaining, and building for the sake of shelter and habitat. Even in modern times, and after the evolution of organized societies, the need for physical activities increases. This need turned into organized sports, which in turn required an evolution in the design and architecture of sports facilities to satisfy such progress. Research work in this paper introduces comparisons between sports stadiums in ancient and modern times, to highlight architectural design key elements changing over time between ancient and modern stadiums.
Research work in this paper is divided into four parts, the first part explores the design of stadiums in ancient civilizations, the second part investigates stadium design in modern times, the third part concludes architectural derivations and concepts of modern stadium design. The fourth part redefines approaches in the design process of modern stadiums. The comparison between the ancient and modern stadium may help in finding new approaches in the design of stadium based on such comparison, and redefine design constraints that highlight positive aspects and try to avoid negative ones.
Since there is no current consensus or a specific design criterion for designing stadiums that may be accredited as a standard stadium design manual by a recognized architectural body; The fourth part of the research proposes a compilation of most elements, factors, and design issues influencing the design of a modern stadium. Proposed data may be used by architects as a helpful design guide for a modern stadium design