The Dutch company Sit & Heat equips soccer stadiums throughout Europe with seat heating systems. Jorg Rijkschroeff and Jeroen Diks, the management team of Sit & Heat, explain how stadium operators can benefit from higher revenues through increased comfort, energy savings and image enhancement through sustainability.
Jorg Rijkschroeff and Jeroen Diks from Sit & Heat on seats with their heating system in the Paris Saint-Germain stadium.
Image: Sit & Heat
: Your company Sit & Heat has installed energy-saving seat heaters in about 20 European soccer stadiums. How did you come up with the idea of offering the heating solutions, which you promote mainly for outdoor catering, to stadium operators?
Diks: In the stadiums you see gas heaters. These heaters are attached to the ceiling 20 to 30 meters high above the spectators. When it is windy this heat will be gone and these heaters are also dangerous. Jorg Rijkschroeff, the founder and inventor of the Sit & Heat cushions, saw an opportunity to make this way of outdoor heating more efficient: heating through the seats.
STADIAWORLD: For which zones are your seat heaters suitable? What is the benefit for stadium operators if they install them?
Rijkschroeff: The heating can be implemented in upholstery seats. This means in the VIP areas and in dug-outs. For stadium operators this means that they can increase their revenue by offering more comfort in these areas of the stadium. Also the gas heaters are not necessary anymore. Conventional gas heaters are energy wasting, need a lot of maintenance and are a fire danger in the stadium.
STADIAWORLD: Saving energy is the order of the day. How important is the possibility of saving energy with Sit & Heat for your customers? Are other reasons like more revenue more important?
Rijkschroeff: Soccer clubs have an exemplary position in society. They like to use their position to promote sustainability and to play a showcasing role in this. In addition, we often see that saving energy, particularly gas, is an important reason for choosing Sit & Heat. The possibility of providing their guests with greater comfort also provides the club with an extra opportunity for additional income.
STADIAWORLD: What options do stadium operators have?
Diks: Soccer clubs have many options. We can build Sit & Heat into existing VIP seats. Together with our partners, we can supply new seats for the VIP areas and the dug-outs. We also have specially made covers for the plastic seats. With these you can make a difference between the normal plastic seats and a more luxurious area in the stadium. In consultation a lot is possible.
STADIAWORLD: Which option is chosen most often and why is that? What else is popular?
Diks: We have already supplied many VIP seats with Sit & Heat, in new seats and in the existing seats. More and more stadiums are opting for the sustainable heating system of Sit & Heat for their VIP guests. The dug-out is also very popular. You don't want to leave your players in the cold.
STADIAWORLD: Most of the stadiums you have equipped with Sit & Heat heating solutions are located in the Netherlands. Is this because your company is based there or are there perhaps also special conditions in the stadiums so that demand is particularly high there?
Rijkschroeff: We have equipped many stadiums in the Netherlands with the Sit & Heat system. The weather in the Netherlands ensures that in many parts of the year it is very cold on the stands or at the pitch. In the Netherlands, we love watching soccer in a comfortable setting. In addition, we have already provided 800 restaurants and bars in the Netherlands with Sit & Heat. Guests are used to this comfortable and sustainable way of heating.
STADIAWORLD: You have also equipped soccer stadiums in Germany, France, Romania and Slovakia with your heating solutions. What are the differences in terms of stadiums, equipment and heating?
Rijkschroeff: Yes, the Sit & Heat systems have already been installed in many countries and the reactions are fantastic. We see different weather conditions in different countries. The way they experience a match is also different. Sustainability is an important topic in all countries. Also, all clubs are looking for extra income.
STADIAWORLD: In Germany, Hamburg-based HSV is the pioneer. The soccer club has equipped 34 new seats with your heating in a mobile shelter. How did this cooperation come about?
Diks: We are very pleased that HSV has chosen Sit & Heat's sustainable heating system for their dugouts. This has come about through a very nice cooperation with a highly appreciated chair supplier. In collaboration with the club, the chair supplier and Sit & Heat, we are looking at how we can make our sustainable system fit in perfectly with their wishes. We look forward to and are ready for the next clubs in Germany.
STADIAWORLD: Was it exclusively soccer stadiums so far or does Sit & Heat also heat seats in other outdoor stadiums? For which stadiums are your heating solutions suitable?
Rijkschroeff: They are now mainly soccer stadiums. Our sustainable heating system is suitable for all stadiums where visitors want to watch a game in comfort. Ice hockey stadiums seem to us a perfect match.
STADIAWORLD: What has to be in place in a stadium for your heating solutions to be installed?
Diks: Sit & Heat can be easily installed in the stadium. Together with the club, we make a connection plan and indicate what is needed in the stands. If there is electricity in the stands, Sit & Heat can be connected by wiring. If there is no electricity, we can work with a battery pack per seat.
STADIAWORLD: In a nutshell: Why do Sit & Heat seat heating systems make sense for stadium operators?
Rijkschroeff: Sit & Heat provides a sustainable stadium heating system that saves the club energy, sets an example in the energy transition and will generate more revenue from their business areas. With our heating in the dugout, you ensure that your reserve players are warm and comfortable. (STADIAWORLD, 15.08.2022)
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