Angel Barajas has presented the research on the IDLAB workshop

Angel Barajas, leading research fellow of IDLAB, has presented the research ''Non-usual football stadiums: only comfort level matters'' on the IDLAB workshop. It was stated that playing matches in non-usual stadium decreases the demand for tickets, however, good stadiums can moderate this negative effect.

Between 2013 and 2015, 14.3% of all Brazilian League matches were played in non-usual stadiums. It was a consequence of the construction and refurbishment of twelve stadiums for the 2014 FIFA World Cup held in Brazil but also because several clubs do not have its own stadiums.
Considering this uncommon context, this paper aims to analyse the effect of non-usual stadiums on the demand for tickets. Using match-by-match data during three seasons – 1140 matches between 2013 and 2015 – six linear regressions on panel data were carried out. Home team fixed effects were employed bearing in mind unobserved club-specific features. Some control variables were used like World Cup Arenas dummy, age of the stadium, the general quality classification of the stadium and its security, comfort and hygiene levels.
As a result, the present study evidences that non-usual stadiums reduce the demand for tickets. However, good stadiums – World Cup arenas or not – can moderate this negative effect. Precisely, if a club desires (or needs) to play in a non-usual stadium, its manager must take into account the comfort level and some other factors that really matter to attract fans.