Stadiums Water Management Statistics: USA 2026

Of the 435 stadiums across the United States, 395 can accommodate more than 10,000 spectators, and 172 can accommodate 30,000 or more. A further 97 stadiums have been built to accommodate at least 50,000 people.  

Stadiums with capacities to host tens or hundreds of thousands of guests need water fittings strategically chosen to handle this demand. But just how confident are stadium facilities managers in the ability of their fittings to stand up to the needs of peak crowds? 

Among our audience members, 50% did not feel very confident in their current infrastructure, and a further 49% were only somewhat confident that their fittings could handle peak pressure. None of our audience members noted that their infrastructure needed specific upgrades, nor did any give a full vote of confidence in their fittings’ capabilities.

High-attendance events place tremendous demands on restroom fittings. Commercial-grade touchless faucets designed for continuous use help improve reliability while reducing maintenance demands during peak traffic. For existing venues, retrofit faucet and shower options allow facilities to modernize performance without extensive plumbing renovations, making upgrades practical during short off-season construction windows.

While many stadiums are equipped with free water refill stations to ensure fans stay hydrated, the infrastructure is only useful when specific events’ security rules allow it. FIFA’s recent decision to ban fans from bringing their own refillable water bottles into venues due to safety concerns has highlighted a major variable for stadium facilities managers across the US.  

This rule aside, 36% of stadium facilities managers state that their venues do not currently offer water refill stations at all; 10% noted that they were absolutely provided, 24% said they were only somewhat available, and 2% cited future plans or limited availability.

Of those who do have refill stations in limited locations, 8% were definitely provided, and 9% had plans that were still in the works. 19% reported that these stations were only somewhat available to fans, and fewer than 1% reported a total lack of availability.

Fewer water stations are still present or in the works

However, some facilities managers' stadiums do have water refill stations located throughout, with 14% describing widespread availability, 1% saying that their stations were still in the planning phase, and 2% noting that their stations were not currently available. 

Less than 1% shared that while stations were installed throughout the stadiums, their availability to attendees is limited. Other managers and their facilities plan to install refill stations in time for the next season; 6% said these stations would be absolutely available, 3% that they would not be available, and less than 1% admitted to limited or low future availability.

Hydration stations have become an important amenity in modern stadiums, helping reduce single-use plastic waste while encouraging fans to refill reusable bottles. Bottle filling stations combined with touchless drinking fountains provide a hygienic, convenient solution that supports sustainability initiatives while enhancing the overall guest experience throughout the venue.

While emergency shutoff valves are essential to proper water system management, our audience’s opinions revealed diversity in their availability and condition. Just over 17% of stadium managers can confidently say that their stadiums’ emergency shutoff valves are fully mapped and thoroughly tested.  

However, only 5% of valves are properly prepared, while 7% are only somewhat ready for water emergencies, 5% do not feel fully prepared, and under 1% are not prepared at all to stop leaks and other issues in their tracks.

Inconsistent emergency readiness despite installed safety systems 

34% of our audience noted that although their facilities do have valves installed, they are not regularly tested, which could potentially cause issues at critical moments. 18% of this group feel fully prepared to handle emergencies despite a lack of testing, and 16% believe that they are somewhat ready to do the same. 

A similar 35% admit they have emergency shutoff valves only in some areas of their facilities, with 20% feeling only somewhat prepared to weather emergencies, 9% only marginally ready, and just 6% feeling confident in their preparedness. 

The remainder of the stadium facilities managers in our audience (14%) are still unsure of the locations of their shutoff valves. Despite this, all of them described themselves as being fully prepared to handle compromised systems and get them back on track.

AI is fast becoming a critical tool across industries and sectors worldwide, and the stadium management industry is no exception. In terms of water management specifically, AI-based acoustic leak detection tools have consistently shown promise in studies in pinpointing leaks and areas of damage.  

A 2022 study published in the journal Results in Engineering finds that while the traditional acoustic listening method is highly effective at reducing system water losses, it is usually time-consuming and labor-intensive and can be imprecise, especially without proper staff training. The study found that AI-based water leak detection systems were more than 90% effective in this regard, producing results similar to those of experts in water system management.

It makes sense, then, that among our audience, many stadium facilities managers are already using AI to streamline their water management processes. 77% have already fully implemented AI for leak detection at their venues, and a further 12% are considering doing so in the near future. 

The minority (12%) has no plans to implement artificial intelligence just yet. 

Overall, stadium managers seem to be leaning into the power of AI to keep their water systems well-maintained while reducing strain on their human workforces.

Digital tracking and AI-powered algorithms are already being used to enhance spectators’ stadium experiences at US venues. The Ohio State University provides a notable example. In 2023, the university’s athletics department began developing a technological tracking system to manage crowds during events, while also allowing visitors to use an app to find the shortest queues and avoid lengthy waits. 

Aside from benefitting fans, systems like these also offer managerial advantages. For instance, they allow managers to schedule cleaning staff to resupply and clean the busiest restrooms more regularly, helping to create a consistently positive experience for spectators.

The Ohio State University athletics department’s app and similar examples have shown great potential to improve the in-stadium experience, but adoption of digital tracking systems remains slow. This is particularly true for restroom usage. Our audience almost unanimously agreed that they are not using any digital tracking methods. Just 2% noted that tracking was fully digital, and another 2% cited partly digital tracking methods, while 14% tracking efforts were predominantly manual. 64% shared that their tracking efforts were not digital at all, and that their restrooms were not tracked at venues. 

Of the 18% who only perform manual checks, just 1% involved digital technologies in this process, and 2% carried out mostly manual processes. The majority - 15% - did not include any tech in their restroom checking efforts. 

As more building systems become connected, water management is emerging as the next frontier in intelligent facility operations. CF Connect PLUS extends building intelligence to point-of-use plumbing by networking touchless faucets and temperature sensors through a centralized Gateway. Facility managers can automate hygiene flushing, monitor water temperatures, generate audit-ready documentation, and integrate water management data into their existing Building Automation System through BACnet/IP. The result is greater visibility, less manual maintenance, and a more proactive approach to managing stadium water systems. 

Data from the Bradley Company's 2026 Healthy Handwashing Survey shows that 68% of Americans say they would be more likely to return to businesses and venues whose restrooms are clean, fresh, and properly maintained. Additionally, almost 80% of Americans believe that touchless fittings are important features in public restrooms, and just as many respondents say these fittings actively improve their overall experience in a venue.  

Understanding how restrooms are used is becoming increasingly valuable for stadium operations. Combining usage data with connected plumbing technologies allows facility managers to better plan maintenance, optimize staffing, and improve the fan experience. As digital building management continues to evolve, integrating water system data into facility operations provides another layer of actionable insight for smarter decision-making.  Chicago Faucets CF Connect provides intelligent water management for faucets with Bluetooth® low energy technology, allowing them to be adjusted and controlled with a smartphone or tablet.  

Facilities managers can select in the CF Connect app use-based, interval-based, or volume-based Hygiene flush mode to reduce water stagnation. Pipe flush mode is available for longer purges that support remediation efforts. Hygiene flush options include adjustable flushing duration, flushing volume, and the interval between flushes.  In the app’s settings, operation and hygiene flush modes can be saved, named as a pre-set, and used to transfer settings to other faucets in a facility. Set the faucet's operating mode depending on location and usage: Normal Mode, Scrub Mode, Metering Mode, Water Saver Mode, Handwash Mode, Volume Mode, and Cleaning Mode.

The stadium managers in our audience may already be aware of these associations, as many of their venues are already fitted with touchless and sensor-activated water fittings, at least to some degree.

Touchless or sensor-activated statistics 

27% of our audience reports that between 76% and 100% of their restroom fittings are currently touchless or sensor-activated, with 20% stating that fewer than half of their fittings fall into this category and 7% pegging this share at over half. Another 27% note that between 51% and 75% of their restroom fittings have touchless designs, 17% state that more than half of their stadiums’ fittings are touchless, less than half for 5%, and another 5% noted that very few of their fittings are sensor-operated or can be used without direct handling.

For a further 27% of our audience, between 26% and 50% of their restroom fittings are either sensor-activated or touchless, with this number constituting more than half of all fittings in 17% of managers’ stadiums and less than half in 10%. 

Some had even lower figures to share. 10% said that while only 0% to 25% of their fittings are touchless, they constitute over half of their overall fittings, and another 10% in this category admitted that these modern fittings represented fewer than half of their facilities’ total. 

Understanding how restrooms are used is becoming increasingly valuable for stadium operations. Combining usage data with connected plumbing technologies allows facility managers to better plan maintenance, optimize staffing, and improve the fan experience. As digital building management continues to evolve, integrating water system data into facility operations provides another layer of actionable insight for smarter decision-making.

Bulk refillable soap dispensers may be convenient for venues, but studies have shown that they can be prone to bacterial contamination, especially extrinsic contamination during refilling. New research has found that around one in four soap dispensers in public restrooms are contaminated with bacteria, posing a public health hazard by spreading germs among users. 

26% of stadium facilities managers report maintaining and refilling soap dispensers weekly, and 25% do so daily during busy event seasons. 23% report performing maintenance before every upcoming event, and 26% only refill and maintain their dispensers as needed; a practice which could increase the odds of bacterial contamination.

Frequent soap dispenser refills can consume significant maintenance time during large events. Centralized soap dispensing systems, like Chicago Faucets’ SoapBank™, a multi-feed soap dispensing system reduce refill frequency by supplying multiple dispensers from a single reservoir, helping maintenance teams spend less time servicing individual units while ensuring soap remains available during periods of peak demand.

Locker rooms are an essential amenity at stadiums, especially for the players and athletes participating in their events. Looking at our audience’s responses, it seems that many facilities’ locker rooms may be due for an update. 

More than 74% of locker rooms had not been renovated in over 5 years, with 60% of managers’ locker rooms having not been renovated recently, 5% renovated somewhat recently, and 9% reporting recent upgrades. Under 1% admitted that their locker rooms had never received renovations.

A little over 14% of lockers had received structural updates within the last 2 to 5 years. 9% had recent renovations; 1% had relatively recent renovations, and 4% reported that their locker rooms hadn’t been renovated recently. Again, just under 1% noted that their lockers had never been the subject of refurbishment plans.

The minority of stadium managers reported that their locker rooms have gotten a makeover within the past year. Of this group, renovations had been completed very recently for 4%, and fewer than 1% fell into the ‘somewhat recently renovated’ category. The remaining 5% renovations hadn’t occurred recently, pointing to a need for more regular renovations and updates to align with visitors’ expectations. 

As noted above, many stadium locker rooms in the US have gone years without structural updates. In line with this, 64% of our audience members reported that their locker room shower systems are functional but aging and may soon need refurbishment. 2% felt that their locker room showers were in poor condition and needed to be completely replaced.

Just over a third (34%) of facilities’ locker room showers were highly efficient, thanks to recent renovations and replacements. It seems that shower fitting updates may need to be prioritized to optimize stadium water management efforts in the future.

Locker room shower systems often experience periods of intermittent use between events, creating unique water management challenges. Modern shower technologies, including automated draining (Auto-Drain® Shower System) and thermostatic temperature control, help improve water quality, reduce stagnation concerns, and enhance user safety while extending the life of plumbing systems. Retrofit solutions also allow facilities to upgrade existing showers without extensive renovations.

Shower use accounts for as much as 1.2 trillion gallons of water every year in the US alone, but simple solutions, such as installing low-flow showerheads, could allow the average family to save more than 2,000 gallons annually. Low-flow showerheads’ water-saving abilities extend to stadiums as well, and many stadium facilities managers have already made the switch to support their water management efforts.

45% of venues have already installed low-flow showerheads throughout all of their locker room showers. The remaining 55% of managers' showers have been partially upgraded to save water while still providing high-quality, efficient amenities.

Water management at stadiums extends to kitchens and concession stands, which rely on extensive plumbing for sanitation and food preparation. The stadium facilities managers in our audience have mixed sentiments about the current state of their kitchen plumbing systems. 9% agree that while their systems are mostly outdated, they’re generally still in good condition, and 28% admit that their outdated plumbing is beginning to pose some challenges. A further 14% report that their plumbing is both mostly outdated and in very poor condition. 

Of our audience members who recently upgraded their kitchen and concession plumbing to commercial-grade systems, just 2% report that their systems are in excellent condition, and 5% say they are generally functioning well. Despite the upgrades, 24% still state that their plumbing systems are giving them problems, and 17% confess to the condition of their fittings not being up to standard at all.

Smart irrigation controllers can drastically reduce water use by automating irrigation, ensuring it occurs only when absolutely necessary. Environmental agencies such as the EPA have found that automating field irrigation can reduce outdoor water consumption by up to 50%, improve irrigation efficiency, and provide significant savings on water bills. 

Stadium facilities managers have already partially or fully automated their field irrigation to reduce waste and expenses. 79% have partially automated irrigation operations, with 4% noting that the automated portions of their irrigation efforts are completely automated, 61% have some automation in place, and 14% still rely mostly on manual irrigation for now.

The remainder have fully automated their irrigation practices. Within this group, 6% of managers’ efforts are entirely automated now, while 13% still use manual work to some degree. A mere 2% of discussions centered on not having any automation in place to keep their fields in prime condition.

50% of stadium facilities managers are currently under water restrictions, 12% are rarely affected but are currently impacted, and 38% have no restrictions at all and are rarely affected

Water restrictions are a common US problem:

41% of stadium facilities managers always track water bill cost trends on an occasional basis, 13% try to keep an eye occasionally, and 29% always track these trends closely, but without formal processes, 6% don't track them, but try to keep tabs,  and 11% never track trends whatsoever

 Water bill cost trend tracking is minimal: