The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has the largest seating capacity of any venue in the world.

Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats over 100,000 people. The largest sporting venue in the world, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, has a permanent seating capacity for more than 257,000 people and infield seating that raises capacity to an approximate 400,000.

Seating capacity in venues[link]

An aerial view of the Melbourne Cricket Ground during the 1992 Cricket World Cup final packed with 90,000 people.

Safety is a primary concern in determining the seating capacity of a venue, as "[s]eating capacity, seating layouts and densities are largely dictated by legal requirements for the safe evacuation of the occupants in the event of fire".^[1] The International Building Code specifies that "[i]n places of assembly, the seats shall be securely fastened to the floor", providing exceptions if the total number of seats is fewer than 100, if there is a substantial amount of space available between seats, or if the seats are at tables.^[2] It also delineates the number of available exits for interior balconies and galleries based on the seating capacity,^[3] and sets forth the number of required wheelchair spaces in a table derived from the seating capacity of the space.^[4]

The International Fire Code, portions of which have been adopted by many jurisdictions, is directed more towards the use of a facility than the construction. It specifies that "[f]or areas having fixed seating without dividing arms, the occupant load shall not be less than the number of seats based on one person for each 18 inches (457 mm) of seating length".^[5] It also requires that every public venue submit a detailed site plan to the local fire code official, including "details of the means of egress, seating capacity, [and] arrangement of the seating..."^[6]

Once safety considerations have been satisfied, determinations of seating capacity turn on the total size of the venue, and its purpose. For sports venues, "[t]he decision on maximum seating capacity is determined by several factors. Chief among these are the primary sports program and the size of the market area".^[7] In motion picture venues, "[t]he limit of seating capacity is determined by the maximal viewing distance for a given size of screen", with image quality for closer viewers declining as the screen is expanded to accommodate more distant viewers.^[8]

Seating capacity of venues also plays a role in what media they are able to provide, and how they are able to provide it. In contracting to permit performers to use a theater or other performing space, "[t]he seating capacity of the performance facility nust be disclosed".^[9] Seating capacity may influence the kind of contract to be used, and the royalties to be given.^[9] The seating capacity must also be disclosed to the copyright owner in seeking a license for the copyrighted work to be performed in that venue.^[9]

Venues that may be leased for private functions such as ballrooms and auditoriums generally advertise their seating capacity. Seating capacity is also an important consideration in the construction and use of sports venues such as stadiums and arenas. When entities such as the NFL's Super Bowl Committee decide on a venue for a particular event, seating capacity – which reflects the possible number of tickets that can be sold for the event – is an important consideration.

Legal capacity and total capacity[link]

Seating capacity differs from total capacity (sometimes called public capacity), which describes the total number of people who can fit in a venue or in a vehicle either sitting or standing. Where seating capacity is a legal requirement, however – as it is in movie theaters and on aircraft – then the law reflects the fact that the number of people allowed in should not exceed the number who can be seated. Use of the term "public capacity" indicates that a venue can permissibly hold more people than it can actually seat. Again, this maximum total number of people can refer to the physical space available, or limitations set by law.

References[link]

See also[link]

• All-seater stadium
• List of stadiums by capacity
• List of football (soccer) stadiums by capacity
• List of American football stadiums by capacity
• Seating assignment

Joel McHale
McHale at a panel at PaleyFest 2010 for Community
Birth name	Joel Edward McHale
Born	(1971-11-20) November 20, 1971 (age 40) Rome, Italy
Medium	Film, television, stand-up
Years active	1991–present
Genres	News satire, sarcasm, observational comedy
Subject(s)	Celebrities, gossip, pop culture
Spouse	Sarah Williams (1996–present)
Notable works and roles	Host of The Soup Jeff Winger on Community
Website	http://www.joelmchaleonline.com/

Joel Edward McHale (born November 20, 1971) is an Italian-born American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, television producer, television personality, and voice artist. He is best known for hosting The Soup and for his role as Jeff Winger on the NBC comedy series Community.

McHale's role as a voice actor includes Elliot in Open Season 2, filling in for Ashton Kutcher.^[1] He also appeared in Spider-Man 2 in a cameo appearance as bank manager Mr. Jacks, CSI: Miami as Greg Welsh, and Spy Kids: All the Time in the World as Wilbur Wilson.

Early life[link]

McHale, the middle of three brothers, was born in Rome, Italy on November 20, 1971. His mother, Laurie, is from Vancouver, British Columbia, and his father, Jack, is from Chicago.^[2] McHale and his brothers were born in Rome, where their father worked for an American university. He grew up in the Seattle area, graduating from Mercer Island High School in 1991. He also participated at Youth Theatre Northwest.

He received a bachelor's degree in History from the University of Washington in 1995. While at the University of Washington, McHale briefly belonged to the Theta Chi Fraternity.^[3] He was recruited to be on the rowing team, but later walked onto the football team, playing tight end for two years.^[4][5] McHale received a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Professional Actors Training Program at the University of Washington.

Career[link]

Stand-up comedy[link]

McHale was part of the Almost Live! cast, a local sketch-comedy TV show produced by Seattle's KING-TV (Channel 5). From 1993 until 1997, McHale was a member of the improv comedy group at Unexpected Productions, participating in Theatersports! at the Market Theater located in Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle.^[6]

Acting[link]

After earning his master's degree in acting, McHale moved to Los Angeles and landed small roles in Oliver Beene, CSI: Miami, and Will & Grace. He played a TV reporter in the biopic Lords of Dogtown. He guest-starred as a cast member on the NBC improv comedy show Thank God You're Here during the pilot episode and had a guest role on an episode of Pushing Daisies. McHale also appeared in Spider-Man 2 in a small role as Mr. Jacks, a bank manager.

In 2004, McHale began hosting The Soup, a satirical weekly television show on the "E!" television network. Throughout the show, he takes the audience through the oddities and ridiculous happenings of the week in television. He frequently appears as a co-host on Loveline. He has also had a long association with Circle X Theatre, where he has done several plays. McHale was a weekly guest on The Adam Carolla Show and Mickey and Amelia, and occasional guest on the Opie and Anthony Show.^[7] He has been a judge on Iron Chef America. He was involved in the American version of the British TV show The IT Crowd. McHale made a guest appearance on the finale of Last Comic Standing sixth season, when he recapped the show's events in his typical format of jokes made popular on The Soup. He usually appeared in Countdown with Keith Olbermann in a humor sequence closing the show.

McHale played FBI Agent Robert Herndon in The Informant! (2009), alongside Matt Damon.

McHale at the Paley Center's 6th annual celebrity golf classic in Westlake Village, California, June 8, 2009.

He currently stars in Community,^[8] which premiered in winter 2009. He also continues to host The Soup.^[9]

Voice acting[link]

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2011)

McHale provided the voice of Elliot in Open Season 2 after Ashton Kutcher declined to reprise his role.

Personal life[link]

McHale married Sarah Williams in 1996.^[10] They have two sons: Edward Roy, "Eddie" (born 2005)^[11] and Isaac Hayden (born 2008).^[12] McHale and Williams live in the Hollywood Hills.^[13]

Filmography[link]

Television work[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Joel McHale

• Official website
• Joel McHale at the Internet Movie Database
• Joel McHale on Twitter
• E! Online Biography