Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 13th February 2025 Issue no. 1149
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Six Nations Championship: dirtiest stadium revealed
Dating back to 1883, the Six Nations Championship is the oldest international rugby union tournament in Europe. With England holding the record for the most overall titles whilst Wales has the most Slams. The Championship is a key highlight in the rugby calendar and known for its electric atmosphere and passionate fan-base.
As the Six Nations Championship approaches, culminating in a head-to-head match between France and Wales at the largest stadium in France, Stade de France, we turn our attention to the cleanliness of these iconic stadiums.
Victor Floorcare, a leading manufacturer of commercial floorcare equipment, has analysed data to uncover which of the most well-known stadiums internationally, are the cleanest and which may benefit from a deep-clean.
Scotland's Murrayfield Stadium takes first prize for the alleged dirtiest stadium, some might say it has won the wooden spoon of cleanliness! With a score of 80 out of 100, the stadium, which boasts a seating capacity of 67,144 and is the largest in Scotland, certainly has room for improvement.
Visitors have been particularly appalled by the state of toilet facilities. One visitor remarked, "They are disgusting as they do not flush properly. By the end of the rugby match, the toilets were literally flooded”.
After a Robbie Williams concert, another visitor of the Murrayfield stadium said: "All toilets blocked and urine and papers on the floor. Poor men having to pee in front of all us waiting women who took over their toilets, as well as some females having to squat over urinals. Place not fit for humans".
Another visitor simply titled their review "Manky Murrayfield," which aptly encapsulates their experience.
The Principality Stadium in Wales ranked second place among the 'dirty & dingy' stadiums. Like Murrayfield, there were numerous complaints about the state of the toilets, which were frequently described as disgusting in many reviews. One attendee at an Anthony Joshua fight remarked: “Not impressed with the facilities one bit”.
In contrast, the Stade de France, where the action starts in this month, is regarded as the most 'sparkling & spotless' stadium. Located just north of Paris, this national stadium opened in 1998 and was designed as a multi-functional venue capable of hosting football, rugby, athletics and concerts. Many reviews praise the stadium's facilities. Unlike some of the less favourable venues, it is often noted for the cleanliness of its toilets and adequate capacity. One review mentioned, "Great stadium, lots of facilities so no massive queues for the bathrooms, which was nice".
"In places like rugby stadiums that host thousands of visitors during the Six Nations, cleanliness levels can sometimes slip if the right processes aren't adhered to,” notes Edward Blackledge, managing director at Victor Floorcare.
“A clean stadium can help to enhance the overall fan experience for those visiting. Clean facilities, including toilets and concession areas, contribute to a positive atmosphere for everyone - whether they're loyal supporters or just attending for the day."
As rugby fans gear up for another thrilling Six Nations Championship, the cleanliness of stadiums plays an essential yet often overlooked role in the overall experience. While the electric atmosphere, passionate supporters, and unforgettable matches take centre stage, the findings from Victor Floorcare highlight the importance of maintaining high standards behind the scenes. Whether it's ensuring spotless facilities or addressing areas in need of improvement, stadium cleanliness contributes to the comfort and enjoyment of all attendees.
“As the tournament unfolds, let's hope that every venue-whether sparkling or in need of a scrub-rises to the occasion, creating memories both on and off the pitch,” says the company.
Methodology… The company analysed all the reviews on Google Maps and TripAdvisor for the top six major stadiums in the Six Nations Championship. It focused on reviews containing negative keywords such as 'filthy', 'disgusting', 'gross', 'dirty', 'unhygienic', and 'smelly'. This data was compiled to create an index, ranking the stadiums from 'sparkling & spotless' to 'dirty & dingy'. Utilising this data, the researchers worked out a percentage and overall cleanliness score.
Since 1946, Victor Floorcare has been helping customers with their floorcare needs. The Victor name is synonymous with high-performance, reliable and easy to use commercial cleaning machines. Products include oscillating floor cleaners, rotary machines, battery machines and scrubber dryers. Operating across multiple sectors including education, healthcare, hospitality, local authorities, manufacturing, retail, facilities management and construction, Victor Floorcare products are manufactured in the UK with locally sourced parts and suppliers. Guided by its heritage, Victor Floorcare is committed to delivering engineering excellence by investing in cutting-edge technologies and embracing eco-friendly practices.
23rd January 2025