The latest trend in the NFL? Sensory rooms in stadiums for fans on the autistic spectrum or with other sensory issues.
In the 2019 season the Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars have all unveiled rooms designed for people who require a calm, quiet place away from the roar of the game. The rooms are usually sound-proofed and have toys and other resources to relieve stress.
“When we think about families with children with autism coming to a game, there’s barriers to re-entry, there’s sensory overload when we score a touchdown and there’s pyrotechnics,” Ryan Hammond, executive director of the Eagles Autism Challenge, told the AP. “We felt the sensory room was what we needed to be fully accessible . The idea behind it was not to change the experience but deliver a solution if they needed to take a break.”
As the years progressed, more sensory features were added to additional football stadiums across the nation.
NFC Teams
Arizona Cardinals (State Farm Stadium)
To make our stadium more inclusive, we’ve introduced new sensory kits!
Each kit is equipped with Cardinals branded earphones, two fidget toys and squeeze ball. Kits are available for keep at all Guest Services Booths should anyone need to use them.
Atlanta Faclons (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium sensory room is located at Section 133 on the 100 Concourse Level (near the elevator bank). The sensory room is open to our fans, guests, and customers with sensory sensitivities. The sensory room is open for all events at the stadium from the time the stadium gates open through the end of the event. Children using the sensory room must be accompanied by an adult.
On event day, please contact any Guest Services team member with questions or assistance navigating to the sensory room. Access to the Sensory Room may be limited given certain circumstances (e.g., guests with extraordinary needs, demand, etc.).
If you have any questions prior to event day, please email GuestService@mercedesbenzstadium.com, or call the Mercedes-Benz Stadium general information line at (470) 341-5000 and choose Option #3 for Guest Service.
Minnesota Vikings / US Bank Stadium
A Fan Sensory Kit was designed to help fans with special sensory needs feel comfortable and remain engaged during games. Items were chosen to mitigate environmental factors and provide engaging sensory input on multiple level to meet the unique needs of users. Available at Guest Services located on the Main Concourse near the Purple and Gold lobbies or Section 307 on the Upper Concourse. Click here view the Autism Social Narrative. Special thanks to the Autism Society of Minnesota for their assistance with this program.
New Orleans Saints (Caesars Superdome)
During Saints games, guests may check out Kulture City Sensory Bags at no cost to utilize fidget toys, weighted lap pads, noise-canceling headphones, and other resources during the event. Sensory bags are located at the Guest Service Center located at Gate F Plaza Level, Iberville Club Lounge – Glass Room 1, and Claiborne Club Lounge – Glass Room 1. Please be advised you will need a Photo I.D. to check out a sensory bag.
Philadelphia Eagles (Lincoln Financial Field)
Presented by Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), the Lincoln Financial Field sensory room is located on the West Lower Suite Level. To access this room visit any Guest Services Booth or concierge desk to acquire a credential.
Seattle Seahawks (Lumen Field)
Autism Toolkit
Q: Where can I pick up an autism toolkit? What is included?
A: Fans can check-out a Kulture City Sensory Kit at the SW Guest Services Location on the Field Plaza, just south of the Pro Shop. The Sensory Kits include sensory toys, an ID card and noise cancelling headphones. The ID card will help Seahawks staff and fans recognize that a person has sensory needs, and give them an opportunity to assist, and provide extra time or other considerations.
Sensory Room
Lumen Field has Ben’s Sensory Room for fans with autism, sensory challenges or PTSD who may be feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated. The sensory room, which is located at the SW GuestLink Location on the Field Plaza, will be open for all full stadium events. Children using the room must be accompanied by an adult.
Los Angles Rams and Chargers
(SoFi Stadium)
Sensory toolkits and three (3) sensory rooms locations are available for Guest use. To rent a toolkit, or check availability for sensory rooms, please visit any Guest Services Center for assistance.
MetLife Stadium (NY Jets and NY Giants)
MetLife Stadium has partnered with Kulture City in an effort to provide a more inclusive and comfortable experience for our guests with sensory processing needs. Our team members are trained and certified to recognize opportunities to assist these guests in their enjoyment of our events. We also offer sensory bags containing noise-cancelling headphones brought to you by Bose, fidget toys and weighted lap pads among other resources for checkout at any Guest Service Booth or Concierge Desk located through the Stadium. For further information or assistance, please contact our Guest Services Department at (201) 559-1515.
AFC Teams
Baltimore Ravens (M&T Bank Stadium)
Our multi-purpose guest service locations in the lower level near sections 100 and 127 provide a space that can be used for both nursing mothers and/or guests with special needs who might need to escape the elements during the game. These spaces are stocked with sensory items such as headphones, toys, etc. allowing a comfortable, quiet, private area for those that need it.
Buffalo Bills (Highmark Stadium)
Guests with sensory issues may check-out a Sensory Inclusion Kit from any Guest Service Booth. Kits typically include noise cancelling headphones, fidget toys, and a KultureCity VIP Identification Card. Guests in need of a quiet space can be directed to the Old Admin building and escorted to our Sensory Room on the third floor.
Cincinati Bengals (Paycor Stadium)
To make Paycor Stadium more inclusive, we are happy to provide sensory kits equipped with noise cancelling headphones. The kit also includes a fidget toy and a squeeze ball. Sensory kits can be borrowed from our Season Ticket Member HQ located just inside Gate E by section 152. A valid ID will need to be left in exchange for the sensory kit and the ID will be returned when the kit is brought back to Season Ticket Member HQ.
Cleveland Browns (First Energy Stadium)
First Energy Stadium offers comfort kits to guests with special sensory needs to make their stadium experience more enjoyable. Comfort kits items include, but not limited to, noise cancelling headphones, sunglasses, hand fidget toys, weighted lap pad, etc. Items can be checked out, free of charge, from all Guest Services Locations. A valid driver’s license or major credit card will need to be left as a deposit for the equipment.
In addition, nursing rooms are available for nursing mothers, children with sensory needs, and guests for prayer space. They can be found at the following sections 118, 349, and 514.
Denver Broncos (Empower Field at Mile High)
Empower Field at Mile High is proud to partner with KultureCity to provide sensory bags for guests with sensory needs. The sensory bags include noise cancelling headphones, fidget tools, and a non-verbal communication card. Sensory bags are available for checkout free of charge at each of the Guest Relations centers. A photo I.D. will be required at time of checkout.
Houston Texans
(NRG Stadium)
NRG Stadium has partnered with KultureCity to ensure the stadium and events we host to be sensory inclusive. This initiative will promote an accommodating and positive experience for all guests and fans with a sensory issue that come to visit. Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD and other similar conditions. One of the major barriers for these individuals is sensitivity to over stimulation and noise, which is an enormous part of the environment in a venue like a stadium.
Sensory bags are equipped with noise canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards and weighted lap pads are now available to all guests who may feel overwhelmed by the environment. Sensory bags are located at Guest Service at sections 113, 133, 319, 346, 517 & 543.
Indianapolis Colts (Lucas Oil Stadium)
Lucas Oil Stadium is a sensory inclusive venue to support individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD, and other similar conditions. Sensory bags are available to those who need support from overstimulation and noise.
Jacksonville Jaguars (TIAA Bank Field)
The Jaguars are proud partners with KultureCity, the nation’s leading organization promoting invisible disability inclusion and sensory accessibility. Sensory bags will be available for guests to check out at all Guest Services Booths to enhance the game day experience. A sensory room is also located in the south end of the stadium on the plaza level at the mother’s nursing station.
Kansas City Chiefs
(GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium)
Sensory kits are available during all major stadium events to help guests self-regulate to reduce the impact of sensory stimuli. Guests may visit Fans First 131, Fans First 341, Fans First 318 or the GEHA Concierge desk to check out a kit, free of charge.
Las Vegas Raiders/ Allegiant Stadium
For guests with sensory processing needs, the following resources and accommodations are available.
Sensory Kits: Allegiant Stadium has partnered with KultureCity to provide sensory kits and bags for guests. Sensory bags are available for guests to check out at any of our guest experience kiosk locations inside the stadium at no cost for individuals. Sensory bags include a VIP lanyard for guest recognition, fidget tools, noise-reducing headphones, and a visual cue card. Writable weighted lap pad with markers are also available as needed.
Sensory Nooks: Allegiant Stadium has two (2) Ford Sensory Nooks available for guests with sensory processing needs. The Ford Sensory Nooks are located on the 050 level inside the Northeast and Northwest Entry lobbies. Ford Sensory Nooks provide an inclusive and comfortable space and are equipped with vibration seating and dim lighting. For more information about the Ford Sensory Nook specifications, please visit nookpod.com/nook/sensory-nook.
Los Angles Rams and Chargers
(SoFi Stadium)
Sensory toolkits and three (3) sensory rooms locations are available for Guest use. To rent a toolkit, or check availability for sensory rooms, please visit any Guest Services Center for assistance.
Miami Dolphins / Hard Rock Stadium
The Sensory Room, made by possible by The Dan Marino Foundation & Bose Corporation, is located at Section 153 and is a private air-conditioned room for guests with special needs (children or adults) to use as a quiet space. The space has a padded floor, padded wall-mounted equipment and other sensory supplies donated by The Dan Marino Foundation to help ensure a comfortable experience. The room contains a tablet donated by Microsoft to play music, along with several noise cancelling headsets donated by Bose. Additional noise cancelling headsets donated by Bose are available at any of the Guest Experience Headquarters for use during major Hard Rock Stadium events at Sections 115, 143, 215, 243, 315 and 343. A Guest Experience team member may be staffed at the Sensory Room to ensure a comfortable and private experience. Access to the Sensory Room may be limited given the circumstances (e.g., guests with extraordinary needs, demand, etc.) and will be managed by the Guest Experience team member assigned to the Sensory Room. Any children/wards using the Sensory Room MUST be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times.
MetLife Stadium (NY Jets and NY Giants)
MetLife Stadium has partnered with Kulture City in an effort to provide a more inclusive and comfortable experience for our guests with sensory processing needs. Our team members are trained and certified to recognize opportunities to assist these guests in their enjoyment of our events. We also offer sensory bags containing noise-cancelling headphones brought to you by Bose, fidget toys and weighted lap pads among other resources for checkout at any Guest Service Booth or Concierge Desk located through the Stadium. For further information or assistance, please contact our Guest Services Department at (201) 559-1515.
Pittsburgh Steelers / Acrisure Stadium
Kulture City Sensory Packs helps fans with special sensory needs feel comfortable and remain engaged during gams and events. Packs provide engaging sensory input on multiple levels to meet the unique needs of users. Packs may be checked out of any Guest Service Room and must be returned at the end of each event.
Tennessee Titans (Nissan Stadium)
Guests with sensory needs can check out KultureCity Sensory Kits at our Fan Services window in Section 124 or visit our Sensory Room in Section 101. Sensory Kits include noise cancelling headphones, fidget items, and emotional rating cards. Our Sensory Room was designed by medical professionals specifically for the needs of those who may need a quieter and more secure environment while attending an event. We also have Quiet Areas located in the Mother’s Lounges at sections 310 and 337.
Dustin's Dynasty 