SIGHTS
Fans wearing team jerseys and ball caps while carrying rain gear and plastic cups of beer, painted faces in the stands, tiered seating littered with popcorn, hard metal benches or plastic seats, concrete or metal steps, people waving foam fingers, pennants and flags flying, fans holding up handmade signs or shaking pom-poms, cameras flashing, crumpled-up candy bags and discarded frilly paper hot dog holders in the trash or sitting on the bench, vendors hawking food, fans waving vendors over, floors wet from spills, people sitting or standing shoulder to shoulder, camaraderie between strangers, people with gear tailored to the event (baseball gloves, football helmets, hockey masks), portable seat cushions, jackets slung over the bench or seat back, umbrellas, half-naked men with numbers painted on their chests, souvenirs, sunglasses left behind, empty beer or pop cans, crushed peanut shells, metal railings, the JumboTron, enormous speakers, mascots interacting with the crowd, men ogling the cheerleaders, a T-shirt gun shooting shirts into the crowd, people jumping to catch a fly ball or high puck, opposing team jerseys clustering in small groups here and there, fights breaking out, shouting matches, money changing hands, TV cameras, signs for sponsors, ad banners, fans doing the wave, marching bands taking the field at halftime, a blimp in the sky overhead
SOUNDS
An announcer on the loudspeaker, screams and shouts, cheers, whistles, catcalls, grumbles and groans, beer cans crumpling, seats creaking, laughing, booing and muttering, people trying to talk over the crowd, music playing over the loudspeaker, a referee’s whistle, swearing, the crinkle of food wrappers, the crunch of popcorn and chips, slurping on drinks, team members being interviewed, voice-over ads during time-outs, cell phones going off, a crowd chanting in unison, fireworks exploding, music from marching bands blasting across the arena, the patter of popcorn spilling as someone jumps up and down with excitement, the rustle of pom-poms, horns honking, police or security radios, the rattle of a paper sign being shaken, the crunch of popcorn and peanut shells underfoot, people yelling through plastic megaphones, arguments between fans of opposing teams, drinks splashing, cannons or shots being fired when the home team scores, stamping feet
SMELLS
Popcorn, hot dogs, sweaty bodies, perfume, spilled beer, grease, cinnamon, sugar, condiments (mustard, vinegar for fries, ketchup), the ozone-like smell of cement and metal (especially when it’s raining or cold)
TASTES
Water, beer, pop, juice, hot dogs, mini doughnuts, churros, fries, burgers, chocolate bars, ice cream, candy, warm peanuts, pretzels, gravy, grease, corn dogs, onion rings, slush drinks, snow cones, popcorn, cotton candy, nachos, cheese, salsa, jalapeños, an oniony burp
TEXTURES AND SENSATIONS
Hard seats, back pain, strain from sitting or standing, bumping against other people, sticky spills under one’s shoes, giving someone a high five, a neighbor clutching one’s arm in an exciting moment, being splashed with beer, tripping in the narrow aisles, patting someone on the back or shoulder, sitting in gum, accidentally kicking trash or empty bottles, stepping on someone else’s foot, greasy popcorn, cold condensation from a beverage, popcorn from an accidental spill cascading over one’s shoulders, spittle in the face when someone leans in close to shout something, elbow jabs, greasy fingers, swiping at the hands or face with a napkin, wiggling around in the seat when one has to go to the restroom but doesn’t want to miss the game, ice cream dripping onto fingers and clothes, faintness from the heat, hovering over one’s food and drinks so they don’t get jostled, easing past fans in a crowded row
POSSIBLE SOURCES OF CONFLICT
Hometown referees showing bias
Bitter rivalries leading to fights in the stands
Narrow metal stairways and drunken fans having difficulty navigating them
Overly vocal parents yelling at coaches and players
Someone streaking across the field
A gambling addiction that puts one’s finances in jeopardy
Sitting next to someone who ruins the fun (via constant complaining, volatility, use of loud noisemakers, swearing in front of one’s children, bumping and jostling, spitting when they talk)
Fans of the opposing team who gloat when their team scores
Being unfairly blamed for an altercation and getting kicked out
PEOPLE COMMONLY FOUND HERE
Athletes, cheerleaders, coaches, fans, reporters, sports doctors, sports scouts, venue employees
RELATED SETTINGS THAT MAY TIE IN WITH THIS ONE
Rural Volume: County fair, gymnasium, rodeo
Urban Volume: Race track (horses)
SETTING NOTES AND TIPS
Sporting event stands are very similar across the board, though there are some differences. Middle and high school sporting events tend to be smaller, with more of a community feel. Small town events may draw fewer people but often will have the most vocal and emotionally invested fans. And then there are large-venue events hosted in big cities with tens of thousands of attendees, such as the NHL playoffs for hockey, the Super Bowl, NBA (basketball) games, and MLB (baseball) games, to name a few. Though the story will most likely determine the kind of sporting event needed, the mood is up to the author.
SETTING DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE
The first game of the season meant there was not a spare seat to be had. The stadium was a sea of red and white, a showcase of the Stampeder pride. As the football players hit the field with both energetic and nervous strides, a familiar chant began in the stands. Soon thousands of throats added to the din, their song swelling until the stands began to vibrate. At the last note, a cascade of fireworks lit up the dusky sky and everyone erupted into ecstatic cheers.
Techniques and Devices Used: Multisensory descriptions, symbolism
Resulting Effects: Establishing mood