stadium stair press box installation

Upside provided an ADA- and IBC-compliant stadium stair tower to connect a new press box to existing bleachers at a local high school, creating a safe, elevated workspace for game-day staff and media.

Project overview

The school needed stadium stairs that could reach a multi-level press box, align with existing bleacher elevations, and stay within a public-school budget and timeline.
Upside used the modular APEX System to design a stair tower that bolts together on-site, minimizing disruption to the stadium and eliminating the need for custom fabrication or field welding.

Industrial-grade aluminum components were engineered to meet ADA, IBC, and OSHA requirements for tread depth, riser height, handrail height, and guardrail spacing, ensuring safe, code-compliant circulation for students, staff, and visiting media.
The result is a functional elevated space that supports game-day operations—announcing, filming, coaching, and statistics—while integrating seamlessly with existing bleachers and site conditions.

Stadium stair design and compliance

• APEX stadium stairs use prefabricated aluminum stringers, treads, platforms, and rails that bolt together into a rigid stair tower, reducing engineering time and simplifying permitting.
• Stair treads provide an 11-inch depth with compliant 1" nosing, and widths are available up to 48 inches between handrails to accommodate traffic to and from the press box.
• Guardrails and handrails are set at IBC-compliant heights with baluster spacing under 4 inches, protecting students and staff on elevated landings and at the press box entry door.
• The system is designed for a live load of 100 pounds per square foot and a 300-pound concentrated load over a 1-square-foot area, supporting equipment such as cameras, laptops, and audio gear.
• Because the stair system is fully modular, it can be extended or reconfigured if the school adds more seating, a larger press box, or auxiliary platforms in the future.

Winter performance and snow readiness

The installation photo shows the press box and stadium stairs in active snow, where traction and long-term corrosion resistance are critical.
Upside’s APEX stairs use heavy-duty grip-strut style decking that provides a slip-resistant surface in wet, icy, and snowy conditions, helping maintain safe access throughout the winter sports season.

All primary components are made from industrial-grade aluminum that will not rust, warp, or rot, even after repeated freeze–thaw cycles and de-icing operations.
Open grating allows snow and meltwater to shed through the treads instead of accumulating on the walking surface, reducing manual snow-removal labor and helping the district maintain safer stadium stairs with minimal maintenance.

Modular installation and budget control

Prefabricated stair modules were delivered to the site ready to bolt together, allowing the installation crew to assemble the stadium stair tower without cranes, field welding, or hot work permits.
This modular approach shortened the construction schedule compared to conventional concrete or structural steel stairs, helping the district stay within budget while still meeting accessibility and egress requirements.

Adjustable platform legs provide up to 8 inches of leveling capability, which allowed the installer to fine-tune elevations where the stair tower meets the press box and the bleacher walkway despite underlying grade variations.
Because the APEX System is fully reconfigurable, the school can relocate or expand the stadium stairs in future renovations without discarding major components, further protecting long-term capital investment.

Related Upside stadium access solutions and FAQs

Upside offers a complete family of stadium access products that can be combined with press box stairs to solve accessibility, snow, and crowd-flow challenges at athletic facilities.

• Stadium stairs and ramps for sports venues: Explore additional stadium stair and wheelchair ramp configurations designed specifically for sports and entertainment facilities at Upside’s stadium application page.
• APEX modular access system: Learn how the APEX System integrates ramps, stairs, and canopies into a single modular platform for schools and public buildings at upsideinnovations.com/apex-system.
• ADA wheelchair ramps for stadium entries: For accessible routes from parking to the bleachers, see APEX ADA-compliant ramps that use the same bolt-together components and slip-resistant decking at this APEX ramp installation.
• Covered walkways and entry canopies: To protect fans and students from rain and snow along approach routes, Upside’s prefabricated aluminum walkway canopies are detailed at upsideinnovations.com/product/covered-walkways.
• School-focused access solutions: See more examples of stadium stairs, ramps, and canopies at K–12 and higher education campuses on the Schools & Universities application page.

FAQs: Stadium stairs and press box access

Q: Are Upside stadium stairs ADA compliant?
A: APEX stairs are pre-engineered to meet ADA guidelines as well as IBC and OSHA requirements, including compliant risers, treads, landings, and continuous handrails.

Q: How fast can a press box stair tower be installed?
A: Because components arrive prefabricated and bolt together without welding, many stadium stair installations can be completed in days rather than weeks, depending on height and site conditions.

Q: How do Upside stadium stairs perform in snow and ice?
A: Slip-resistant grip-strut decking, corrosion-resistant aluminum, and open grating help maintain traction and shed snow, making the system well suited for winter climates and outdoor athletic facilities.