Changes

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

The word ''stadium'' is apparently derived from the Greek word meaning 'to stand'. It referred to spectators in the days of [[Ancient Greece]] who would stand all day in the sun<ref>Swaddling, J. [http://books.google.com/books?id=2-HQMnDiLqIC&lpg=PA30&dq=greek%20words%20stadium%20stadia&pg=PA30#v=onepage&q=%22to%20stand%22&f=false ''The Ancient Olympic Games'']; University of Texas Press; Austin. Page 30, (1980 (1999))</ref> watching athletic races and other such events.

The word ''stadium'' is apparently derived from the Greek word meaning 'to stand'. It referred to spectators in the days of [[Ancient Greece]] who would stand all day in the sun<ref>Swaddling, J. [https://books.google.com/books?id=2-HQMnDiLqIC&lpg=PA30&dq=greek%20words%20stadium%20stadia&pg=PA30#v=onepage&q=%22to%20stand%22&f=false ''The Ancient Olympic Games'']; University of Texas Press; Austin. Page 30, (1980 (1999))</ref> watching athletic races and other such events.

The plural of stadium is ''stadia'' or more commonly, ''stadiums''.

The plural of stadium is ''stadia'' or more commonly, ''stadiums''.

Acoustics can form an important aspect of stadium design, particularly if the stadium is used for concerts. More often however, acoustics form a significant part of sporting events when the spectators seek to distract the opposing team by being as loud as possible.

Acoustics can form an important aspect of stadium design, particularly if the stadium is used for concerts. More often however, acoustics form a significant part of sporting events when the spectators seek to distract the opposing team by being as loud as possible.

Over time, stadiums can be renovated, expanded, or rebuilt entirely. Wembley Stadium in England was first built in 1923, then demolished in 2000, and completely rebuilt by 2007.<ref>Pendleton, K. [http://books.google.com/books?id=_JVXFGO2UBYC&lpg=PA66&dq=%22wembley%20stadium%22%20rebuilt&pg=PA66#v=onepage&q=%22wembley%20stadium%22%20rebuilt&f=false ''Sports Heroes and Legends: David Beckham'']; Lerner Publishing Group; Minneapolis. Page 66, (2007)</ref> In the first three years since its reopening, its turf playing surface was replaced 10 times.<ref>Kempson, R. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/article7051979.ece "FA admits defeat in Wembley turf war"]; ''The Sunday Times''; March 6, 2010</ref>

Over time, stadiums can be renovated, expanded, or rebuilt entirely. Wembley Stadium in England was first built in 1923, then demolished in 2000, and completely rebuilt by 2007.<ref>Pendleton, K. [https://books.google.com/books?id=_JVXFGO2UBYC&lpg=PA66&dq=%22wembley%20stadium%22%20rebuilt&pg=PA66#v=onepage&q=%22wembley%20stadium%22%20rebuilt&f=false ''Sports Heroes and Legends: David Beckham'']; Lerner Publishing Group; Minneapolis. Page 66, (2007)</ref> In the first three years since its reopening, its turf playing surface was replaced 10 times.<ref>Kempson, R. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/article7051979.ece "FA admits defeat in Wembley turf war"]; ''The Sunday Times''; March 6, 2010</ref>

The largest stadium in the world (in terms of capacity) was Strahav Stadium in what is now the [[Czech Republic]]. It was designed to hold 240,000 spectators.<ref>Paxton, R.O. and Hessler, J. [http://books.google.com/books?id=M5wTncOaHEQC&lpg=PA243&dq=%22biggest%20stadium%20in%20the%20world%22%20Strahav&pg=PA243#v=onepage&q=%22biggest%20stadium%20in%20the%20world%20was%20the%20Strahav%20Stadium%22&f=false ''Europe in the Twentieth Century'']; Wadsworth; Boston. Page 243, (2005)</ref>

The largest stadium in the world (in terms of capacity) was Strahav Stadium in what is now the [[Czech Republic]]. It was designed to hold 240,000 spectators.<ref>Paxton, R.O. and Hessler, J. [https://books.google.com/books?id=M5wTncOaHEQC&lpg=PA243&dq=%22biggest%20stadium%20in%20the%20world%22%20Strahav&pg=PA243#v=onepage&q=%22biggest%20stadium%20in%20the%20world%20was%20the%20Strahav%20Stadium%22&f=false ''Europe in the Twentieth Century'']; Wadsworth; Boston. Page 243, (2005)</ref>

==Economic aspects==

==Economic aspects==

In the era of 21st century professional sports, stadium construction costs have surged to hundreds of millions of dollars. In the case of the [[National Football League]], the cheapest active stadium (adjusted for inflation) cost $154 million, while the most expensive cost $1.15 billion.<ref>McGinty Craven, J and Palmer, G. [http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/09/08/sports/20100908-stadium-sidebar.html?ref=sports "The N.F.L. Plays, the Public Pays - Graphic"]; ''The New York Times''; September 7, 2010</ref>

In the era of 21st century professional sports, stadium construction costs have surged to hundreds of millions of dollars. In the case of the [[National Football League]], the cheapest active stadium (adjusted for inflation) cost $154 million, while the most expensive cost $1.15 billion.<ref>McGinty Craven, J and Palmer, G. [https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/09/08/sports/20100908-stadium-sidebar.html?ref=sports "The N.F.L. Plays, the Public Pays - Graphic"]; ''The New York Times''; September 7, 2010</ref>

The high cost of stadiums means that [[taxpayer]]s usually contribute to the cost of construction. Aside from ticket sales, cost recovery occurs through offering naming rights to the stadium, selling personal seat licences, renting out luxury boxes, or by increasing car rental and hotel taxes.<ref>Guilbaue, G ''et al''. [http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/99999999/SPORTS0302/412260350/1001/SPORTS/Stadium-deals-funding-sources-vary-widely-across-NFL "Stadium Deals, Funding Sources Vary Widely Across NFL"]; ''Shreveport Times''; (n.d.)</ref>

The high cost of stadiums means that [[taxpayer]]s usually contribute to the cost of construction. Aside from ticket sales, cost recovery occurs through offering naming rights to the stadium, selling personal seat licences, renting out luxury boxes, or by increasing car rental and hotel taxes.<ref>Guilbaue, G ''et al''. [http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/99999999/SPORTS0302/412260350/1001/SPORTS/Stadium-deals-funding-sources-vary-widely-across-NFL "Stadium Deals, Funding Sources Vary Widely Across NFL"]; ''Shreveport Times''; (n.d.)</ref>

In a few cases, the debt from a stadium's construction has outlived the stadium itself. In the 1970s, Giants Stadium was built in New Jersey. It was demolished less than 40 years later, while still carrying over $100 million in debt at the time of demolition.<ref>Belson, K. [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/08/sports/08stadium.html "As Stadiums Vanish, Their Debt Lives On"]; ''The New York Times''; September 7, 2010</ref>

In a few cases, the debt from a stadium's construction has outlived the stadium itself. In the 1970s, Giants Stadium was built in New Jersey. It was demolished less than 40 years later, while still carrying over $100 million in debt at the time of demolition.<ref>Belson, K. [https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/08/sports/08stadium.html "As Stadiums Vanish, Their Debt Lives On"]; ''The New York Times''; September 7, 2010</ref>

Notwithstanding these high costs, new stadiums are often proposed by a city that seeks to host a major international event such as the [[Olympics|Summer Olympics]] or a [[FIFA World Cup]]. Hosting of the event is seen by a government as giving international fame and prominence to the host city (or country), but citizens may oppose the use of taxpayer's money for such a purpose.

Notwithstanding these high costs, new stadiums are often proposed by a city that seeks to host a major international event such as the [[Olympics|Summer Olympics]] or a [[FIFA World Cup]]. Hosting of the event is seen by a government as giving international fame and prominence to the host city (or country), but citizens may oppose the use of taxpayer's money for such a purpose.