By Anthony I. Shin, Esq. | Personal Injury Attorney | Shin Law Office
Virginia stadiums, arenas, and racetracks bring together tens of thousands of fans for unforgettable games, concerts, and large-scale events. Yet, many of the most serious injuries inside these venues are entirely preventable. From falls on steep concrete steps at Scott Stadium and crushing crowd surges at Lane Stadium to foul ball impacts at Harbor Park and dangerous debris at NASCAR tracks, these facilities must keep spectators safe at all times. When they fail to control crowds, maintain walkways, enforce seating safety, or manage event hazards, fans can suffer life-changing injuries. If you were hurt at any sporting venue in the Commonwealth, you need immediate legal protection and a clear understanding of your rights.
What Every Fan, Athlete, and Guest Should Know About Stadium Accidents, Arena Hazards, Track Injuries, and Event Negligence Across the Commonwealth
Sporting venues across Virginia draw millions of fans every year. From packed college football stadiums in Charlottesville and Blacksburg to massive NASCAR races in Henrico County, and from sold-out concerts in Hampton to family baseball games in Norfolk, these facilities are built to handle enormous crowds, powerful equipment, and fast-moving events.
Most guests arrive expecting excitement, community, and unforgettable memories. What they never expect is an injury caused by preventable hazards. Yet injuries at stadiums, arenas, and racetracks happen more often than most people realize. A single misstep on an untreated stair, a crush of spectators in a narrow corridor, a fall from bleachers without proper railings, or debris from racing events can leave a guest permanently injured.
As an attorney who represents injured guests across Virginia, I have seen firsthand how quickly a fun event can turn into an emergency room visit. This statewide overview explains the major sporting venues in Virginia, the types of accidents that commonly occur, and the legal responsibilities these facilities have to protect visitors from preventable harm.
Scott Stadium
Charlottesville, independent city
Scott Stadium, home of the University of Virginia Cavaliers football team, seats more than sixty-one thousand fans and holds the distinction of being the oldest active Football Bowl Subdivision football stadium in Virginia. Located at 1815 Stadium Road on the university grounds, this iconic venue has hosted major football games, large concerts featuring artists such as the Rolling Stones and U2, and numerous championship-level lacrosse events.
The primary risks at Scott Stadium include slip hazards along steep concrete steps, crush injuries in congested seating areas, falls from bleachers without proper barriers, and injuries caused by intoxicated spectators. Concert setups also pose hazards, including loose wiring, temporary flooring, and poorly controlled crowds. Guests may suffer fractured limbs, head trauma, spinal injuries, and deep tissue injury when crowd control measures fail.
Lane Stadium and Worsham Field
Blacksburg, Montgomery County
Lane Stadium at Virginia Tech is widely regarded as one of the loudest and most intimidating college football environments in the nation. Seating more than 65,000 fans, it is famous for the Enter Sandman entrance, which shakes the entire structure. Located at 285 Beamer Way in Blacksburg, the stadium regularly hosts sellout football games and large-scale concerts, including the upcoming Metallica tour stop, expected to welcome more than 50,000 people.
Injuries at Lane Stadium often occur when crowd energy overwhelms safety measures. The combination of steep seating, tightly packed aisles, and energetic student sections increases the risk of falls, trampling, and sudden crowd surges. Wet conditions create slippery concourses, and temporary concert stages can pose trip hazards or equipment-falling risks. Fans may experience sprains, broken bones, concussions, heat exhaustion, or crushing injuries when movement is not controlled.
Bridgeforth Stadium
Harrisonburg, independent city
Bridgeforth Stadium at James Madison University seats approximately twenty-five thousand spectators and hosts JMU Dukes football games, local sporting events, and community gatherings. Located at 800 South Main Street, the stadium underwent a significant expansion in 2011, transforming it into one of the largest Football Championship Subdivision facilities in the country.
Accidents at Bridgeforth Stadium often involve stairway falls, railing failures, slip hazards on wet concrete, and collisions in narrow aisles. During sold-out games, fans may experience crushing injuries near entrance gates or bottleneck points. Elderly spectators are especially vulnerable to falls due to steep inclines and long stair climbs.
Kornblau Field at S. B. Ballard Stadium
Norfolk, independent city
Old Dominion University’s expanded stadium, formerly known as Foreman Field, is home to the Monarchs football team and serves as a multipurpose venue for soccer and other events, including the annual Oyster Bowl. Located at 5115 Hampton Boulevard in Norfolk, it seats nearly twenty-two thousand fans.
This stadium historically hosted major concerts, including one of the largest Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young shows during their legendary 1974 reunion tour. Crowds at concerts and sporting events pose similar risks: uneven steps, overcrowded ramps, slip hazards, and structural issues in older seating sections. Guests may suffer twisted ankles, falls from bleachers, head injuries, and shoulder injuries from sudden crowd shifts.
Zable Stadium at Cary Field
Williamsburg, independent city
Zable Stadium at the College of William and Mary seats approximately twelve thousand guests and hosts Tribe football games along with university gatherings. Located at 100 Stadium Drive in Williamsburg, this smaller venue still presents significant safety risks due to narrow aisles, older bench seating, and steep concrete sections.
Common injuries include falls on stairways, trip hazards caused by worn steps, and injuries related to crowded exits after games. Guests who suffer from mobility challenges are often at higher risk due to limited accessible seating paths.
Robins Stadium
University of Richmond, Richmond City
Robins Stadium at the University of Richmond is an 8,700-seat facility used for football, lacrosse, soccer, and track events. Located at 371 College Road, the stadium hosts both collegiate competitions and local championships.
Injuries here often arise from uneven walkways, poorly lit staircases, or weather-related hazards such as wet bleachers. Collisions between spectators and athletes can occur near field-level areas when crowd control barriers are inadequate. Sprains, fractures, and back injuries are common results.
Harbor Park
Norfolk, independent city
Harbor Park is a scenic twelve-thousand-seat baseball stadium located along the Elizabeth River and home to the Norfolk Tides, the Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. Its address is 150 Park Avenue in Norfolk. The venue also hosts concerts, fireworks nights, and community events.
Injuries occur most often when foul balls, bats, or thrown equipment strike fans. While some areas of the stadium are protected by netting, many seats remain exposed. Slip hazards from spilled drinks, uneven steps in the seating bowl, and overcrowded concourses also contribute to injuries. Children are especially vulnerable to baseball-related projectile injuries.
The Diamond
Richmond, independent city
The Diamond on Arthur Ashe Boulevard seats approximately nine thousand five hundred fans and hosts the Richmond Flying Squirrels, a Double-A baseball affiliate. Historically, it also hosted the Atlanta Braves Triple A team and continues to serve as a venue for festivals, community celebrations, and on-field events.
Because it is an older facility, many hazards relate to aging infrastructure such as worn concrete, unstable railings, and trip hazards across uneven walkways. Baseball-specific dangers, such as foul balls and broken bats, also cause frequent injuries. Plans for a new ballpark highlight long-standing safety concerns.
Racing Venues and Motorsports Tracks
Virginia has a rich motorsports culture, with several nationally recognized racing venues that attract enormous spectator crowds. Racing events carry unique risks due to high-speed vehicles, flying debris, and large open areas.
Richmond Raceway
Located in Henrico County near the city of Richmond, this three-quarter-mile track hosts two annual NASCAR Cup Series races and seats approximately fifty-one thousand fans. Risks include debris from crashes, slip hazards on elevated grandstands, and injuries during mass post-race exit movements.
Martinsville Speedway
Located in Ridgeway in Henry County, this half-mile paperclip-shaped track has hosted NASCAR Cup Series events since 1949. Bleacher falls, trip hazards, and crowd bottlenecks are the most common sources of injury.
Virginia International Raceway
Located in Alton, in Halifax County, this 3.27-mile road course hosts IMSA sports car events and club races. High-speed crashes can send debris into spectator zones when barriers fail.
South Boston Speedway
Another Halifax County venue, this short track features regional stock car racing that draws significant local crowds.
Langley Speedway
Located in Hampton, this oval track holds weekly racing series and community events. Concourse slip hazards and bleacher falls remain familiar injury sources.
Virginia Motorsports Park
Located in Dinwiddie County, this drag racing complex hosts NHRA national events. Flying debris, exposure to exhaust, and high heat during summer events pose risks to fans.
Colonial Downs
Located in New Kent County, this thoroughbred horse racing track hosts the Virginia Derby and other major equestrian competitions. Falls on wet turf, horse related collisions, and trampling incidents can injure both spectators and staff.
Indoor Arenas and Multipurpose Venues
Indoor arenas across Virginia host basketball, concerts, convocation ceremonies, family shows, wrestling events, motorsports exhibitions, and community gatherings. These venues often operate on rapid turnaround schedules, which increases the risk when safety checks are rushed.
John Paul Jones Arena
Located at 295 Massie Road in Charlottesville, this 14,600-seat arena is home to the University of Virginia basketball and to concerts featuring major touring artists. Slip hazards from spilled drinks, trip risks on steep steps, and equipment injuries from temporary concert staging are common issues.
EagleBank Arena
Located in Fairfax, this ten-thousand-seat arena at George Mason University is known for concerts, basketball, and nationally recognized performances. Hazards include crowd surges, congestion in the merchandise area, and falls on concrete stairwells.
Norfolk Scope Arena
This multipurpose venue seats up to 13,800 guests for concerts and 10,000 for sports. Historically hosting the Virginia Squires, hockey teams, and major concerts from Led Zeppelin to Elvis Presley, the Scope has a long legacy. Injuries often involve falls on steep concourses, trip hazards from outdated infrastructure, and crush injuries during large concerts.
Hampton Coliseum
Located at 1000 Coliseum Drive in Hampton, this 13,800-seat arena has hosted acts such as the Grateful Dead, Michael Jackson, and Garth Brooks. It also hosts the annual Hampton Jazz Festival and events like WWE and Monster Jam. Hazards include stairway falls, overcrowding, pyrotechnic related debris, and equipment accidents during stage changes.
Additional Arenas
Roanoke’s Berglund Center, the Atlantic Union Bank Center in Harrisonburg, the Siegel Center in Richmond, Chartway Arena in Norfolk, and the Salem Civic Center all host a wide range of events. Their most common injury causes include wet floors, temporary seating failures, slip hazards on ramps, and trip injuries along poorly lit walkways.
How Injuries Happen at Sporting Venues Across Virginia
While every venue is unique, the types of hazards that cause injuries are generally the same throughout the Commonwealth.
• Wet steps and untreated concrete surfaces
• Inadequate lighting in aisles or seating areas
• Overcrowding at gates, exits, and souvenir areas
• Falls from bleachers without proper railings
• Debris from sporting events or pyrotechnics
• Equipment malfunctions during stage events
• Poorly managed emergency evacuations
• Intoxicated spectator incidents
• Slip hazards from spilled drinks
• Broken or unstable handrails
• Lack of accessible pathways for disabled guests
These hazards are preventable when venue operators follow appropriate safety standards and crowd management procedures.
What To Do If You Are Injured at a Sporting Venue in Virginia
If you or a family member is hurt at a stadium, arena, or racetrack, take the following steps immediately.
• Seek medical attention
• Report the injury to event or venue staff
• Request a written incident report
• Photograph the scene and your injuries
• Gather witness names and contact information
• Save your ticket and event materials
• Do not sign any documents without legal review
• Contact an attorney who understands venue liability
Sporting venue operators may argue that the injury was unavoidable or blame the guest for the incident.
An attorney can help protect your rights and preserve critical evidence before it disappears.
How I Can Help
As an attorney representing injured spectators across Virginia, I investigate every aspect of the incident.
This includes evaluating crowd management practices, maintenance records, lighting conditions, structural safety, security staffing levels, and surveillance footage.
Whether your injury happened at Scott Stadium, Lane Stadium, Bridgeforth Stadium, Harbor Park, a NASCAR raceway, or a major indoor arena, you are entitled to answers and a full understanding of your legal rights.
I work to secure compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, future treatment needs, and long term effects caused by venue negligence.
If you were injured at any sporting venue in Virginia, you do not need to face the aftermath alone.
I am here to help you pursue the justice and accountability you deserve.
Call 571-445-6565 or book a consultation online today.
— Anthony I. Shin, Esq.
Principal Attorney | Shin Law Office
