Post by Daniel Williams AITI MCIL

At the start of 2026, I promised myself I’d get to more football matches.   As New Year’s resolutions go, that probably seems like quite an easy one. After all, it’s just a matter of buying a ticket, getting on the bus, watching the game and going home again afterwards. At least, that’s how should be – but it isn’t always that simple.   As those of you who have met me in person will know, I use a wheelchair. That can make getting to matches a challenging endeavour, but going to football stadiums on wheels also means I’m well placed to advise clubs on how to make their facilities more accessible, and give them credit for what they’re already getting right.   This photo was taken from my wheelchair space at Sport-Club Freiburg e.V.'s Europa-Park Stadion. The view is one of the best I’ve enjoyed on my travels in the world of football. As you can see, I’m parked between the two tiers of the stand. This is an excellent vantage point, because it means you’re high enough off the ground to see the whole pitch at once, and no-one can block your view by standing up in front of you. Wheelchair users can’t just stand up to see further, so they need an elevated position and a clear line of sight.   Why does this matter? Clubs have legal and moral responsibilities in this area, but creating a positive experience for fans with disabilities can help them maximise revenue, too. If I were in Freiburg more often, I’d definitely want to spend more time in the ground, and the more time your fans spend in your stadium, the more money they spend.   What’s the best sporting venue you’ve ever been to, and what made the experience special?   [IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Maccabi Tel Aviv (in blue) prepare to defend a corner against SC Freiburg (in red). The photograph was taken from the wheelchair spaces in the middle of the stand behind the goal. From position, you can see the full length of the pitch.]