Live sports are defined by their energy—the roar of the crowd, the smell of stadium food, and the shared excitement of the match. But for the blind and low-vision (BLV) community, the thrill of the game is often overshadowed by the stress of navigating a massive, echoing 25,000-seat arena.
Finding the right seating section, locating a specific restroom, or grabbing a pre-game snack without a dedicated wayfinding system for blind people usually means relying entirely on sighted companions or guest services staff.
To bridge this gap and provide true accessibility for the blind, Sports Illustrated Stadium—home to Red Bull New York and NY/NJ Gotham FC—has taken a monumental step forward.
By partnering with RightHear, the venue has woven a state-of-the-art indoor navigation system for visually impaired fans directly into its infrastructure.
How the Stadium Speaks to Fans
Facility managers often ask, how do talking signs work in a loud, dynamic environment like a soccer stadium?
Unlike traditional physical braille signs that you have to find to read, Sports Illustrated Stadium installed a vast network of “Accessibility Spots” using HID BEEKs Lite Bluetooth beacons.
These beacons communicate directly with a user’s smartphone. Fans can use the free RightHear navigation app for visually impaired users, or even access the feature directly through the official Red Bull New York app. As a guest walks through the Intermex Gate or down the South Concourse, they receive real-time ADA wayfinding signage audio straight to their device.
The system provides step-by-step navigation assistance for visually impaired patrons, allowing them to independently locate their seats, find the Mamava Privacy Pod, or grab food at The Sausage Haus or Nuchas Empanadas. The audio information begins playing automatically upon arrival, offering an incredible layer of autonomy.
A Global Standard for Inclusion
This assistive technology wayfinding doesn’t just benefit the BLV community.
Because the stadium draws a massive, diverse audience from across the New York metropolitan area, the platform delivers content in multiple languages, ensuring that non-native English speakers can also navigate the venue with ease.
As Idan Meir, Co-Founder and CEO of RightHear, beautifully stated: “When a venue like Sports Illustrated Stadium invests in this kind of experience, it goes well beyond minimum accessibility requirements and sets a new standard for what truly inclusive design can look like”.
By integrating this advanced wayfinding for the blind, Sports Illustrated Stadium proves that sports are truly for everyone. They are ensuring that every fan can experience the independence, dignity, and thrill of matchday.
