Smart Construction and Spectator Satisfaction in Sports Venues: The Role of Flow Experience in Intelligent Design Under the National Fitness Initiative

Abstract

Amid the nationwide promotion of fitness and the rapid expansion of China’s sports industry, enhancing spectator satisfaction in sports consumption has become a crucial driver for the industry’s sustainable development. Based on the theory of mind-flow perception, this paper explores the influence of stadium intelligent design on race consumption satisfaction, focusing on the four dimensions of stadium intelligent application perception, personality design perception, digital development perception, and technology integration perception, introduces the mind-flow experience as a mediating variable to construct a theoretical model, and analyzes the questionnaire data of 641 spectators with structural equation modeling. The results show that each perception dimension of intelligent design of stadiums has a significant positive effect on consumer satisfaction. Among them, intelligent applications enhance convenience and interactivity, individual design stimulates emotional resonance and immersion, and digital development and technological convergence optimize the audience’s interactive experience through augmented reality, the Internet of Things, and other technologies. flow experience serves as a key mediator to transform functional attributes into emotional value and immersion experience, significantly enhancing satisfaction. This study contributes theoretical insights and managerial guidance for the integration of AI-driven design, human–technology interaction, and smart construction strategies in modern sports venues. The results have broader implications for enhancing digital user environments and optimizing the infrastructure for next-generation event-based urban development.

1. Introduction

With the rapid growth of China’s economy, the leisure consumption structure of residents is transforming into a diversified and emerging one. The consumption of sports events, as part of the emerging consumption field, is receiving increasing attention as people’s demand for physical fitness increases and the sports industry flourishes. Sports consumption not only satisfies people’s aspirations for a better life, but also becomes a new driving force for economic development. In recent years, the consumption of sports events has shown rapid growth and become an important driving force for the sports industry and related economic growth. Currently, sports event consumption has penetrated into many levels, including ticket sales, peripheral commodities, sponsor brand exposure, etc. Sports events are often accompanied by a consumption boom. For example, the Cultural and Sports Carnival in Hexi District of Tianjin, China, realized retail sales of more than RMB 200 million in the business district through sports events, and the Beijing Three-Player Basketball Open became a sub-event of the Beijing Sports Consumption Festival, which drove the development of the night-time economy [1,2]. These phenomena show that sports events have become a bridge between sports and consumption, helping to activate the business district economy and promote consumption upgrading.

Despite the rapid development of sports event consumption, it still faces a number of challenges and problems. For example, pricing issues in event consumption, such as higher prices for on-site food and beverages, may affect consumer satisfaction. The organization and service quality of events and venue facilities also need to be continuously improved and optimized to enhance the overall consumer experience. Improving consumer satisfaction with sports events is important for enhancing the consumer experience, strengthening event brand loyalty, and promoting consumption growth. Through satisfaction surveys, organizers can understand consumer needs and expectations, adjust service strategies in a timely manner, optimize event management, and thus improve the market competitiveness and economic benefits of the event. In addition, high satisfaction can attract more spectators to participate in sports events, forming a virtuous cycle and promoting the sustainable development of the sports industry.

Reviewing the existing studies related to sports event satisfaction, scholars at home and abroad have explored the influence on sports race consumption satisfaction from various perspectives such as service quality [3,4,5], sports motivation, cognitive-emotional modeling [6,7], event image [8,9], and the social impact of events [10]. Nowadays, there are three main theoretical paradigms in sports spectator satisfaction research: the negative expectation model (DEM) [11], the service quality theory (SQ) [12], and the service scenario theory (SC) [13]. Van Leeuwen et al. [14] proposed a sports spectator satisfaction model (SSSM) based on the extension of the DEM; the results of structural equation modeling of Yanling [15] showed that event image and event social influence are important factors in spectator satisfaction. Social impact is an important predictor of spectator satisfaction. However, few scholars have discussed the connection between digital dimensions, such as intelligent application in sports venues, and spectator consumer satisfaction with sports events. The construction of perceptual dimensions in sports venues will be conducive to improving consumers’ experience feeling, which in turn will increase consumer satisfaction. The intelligent applications of stadiums, such as smart ticketing, mobile application services, augmented reality, and virtual reality experiences, are changing spectator participation and consumption behavior. Personalized design perception involves venues meeting the needs of different audiences, including seating comfort, clarity of vision, and acoustics. Digital development perception focuses on venues utilizing digital technology to enhance the audience experience, such as through social media interaction and real-time game data analysis. Technology integration perception refers to the venue’s incorporation of the latest technology into all aspects of the event to enhance the overall spectator experience.

On this basis, this paper introduces “flow experience” as a mediating variable. The concept of “flow experience”, also known as “flow experience”, was proposed by the Hungarian psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in the 1970s. Flow refers to a psychological state experienced when a person is fully immersed in an activity. In the context of sports events, the four dimensions of stadium perception will significantly contribute to the flow experience of spectators, which in turn will affect consumer satisfaction. Based on extensive questionnaire data, this paper aims to empirically analyze the effects of the four dimensions of stadium perception of intelligent application, perception of personalized design, perception of digital development, and perception of technology convergence on consumer satisfaction with sports events and the mediating role of the flow experience therein. The findings will provide the theoretical community with a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that shape spectator satisfaction at sporting events and provide stadium managers and event organizers with strategies that demonstrate how to enhance consumer experience and satisfaction, thereby fostering loyalty and promoting repeat participation.

2. Literature Review and Research Hypotheses

2.1. Intelligent Design and Race Consumption Satisfaction

Intelligent application perception (IAP) refers to users’ subjective perception of the functions and services provided by intelligent technologies or systems [16]. The core function of Intelligent application perception is to satisfy users’ personalized needs and optimize their experience, which can be achieved by collecting data, analyzing user behavior, and providing personalized services. The intelligent application perception of stadiums is a technological upgrade based on traditional stadiums, aiming to improve the management efficiency and user experience of stadiums through intelligent systems. The intelligent application perception of stadiums includes the experience and evaluation of diversified intelligent services provided by stadiums, such as the functional perception of intelligent building, intelligent management, and intelligent service modules [17]. In recent years, the application scope of intelligent technologies in sports venues has significantly broadened, encompassing areas such as smart surveillance, environmental control (e.g., temperature and humidity), automated lighting, intelligent ticketing, and systems for collecting and displaying athletic performance data. The intelligent perception of sports venues is also supported by data and user interaction technologies. The real-time collection and analysis of venue usage data through the intelligent platform can not only optimize the service process of the venue but also enhance user satisfaction and participation [18].

Race consumption satisfaction (RCS) refers to the comprehensive evaluation of the overall experience, service quality, and perceived value that consumers feel after attending or experiencing a race event. Satisfaction usually consists of multiple dimensions, including product evaluation, emotional experience, and happiness after the consumption behavior [19], and the service quality of the race has a significant impact on their satisfaction. A study by Theodorakis et al. [20] found that both the physical setting of the venue and the event outcomes had a significant positive impact on participants’ event satisfaction, which in turn enhanced their overall sense of well-being. The extensive adoption of digital technologies—such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and wearable devices—has notably influenced consumer satisfaction in the context of sports events. Pires’ study explored how wearable devices and digital technologies can enhance the quality of stadium services, especially the integration of smart apps, which effectively optimize the spectator experience [21]. Smart technologies provide event spectators with a more personalized experience by enhancing the quality of service and improving the ease and interactivity of viewing, thus significantly increasing their consumer satisfaction. For example, smart ticketing systems enable spectators to enter stadiums quickly, avoiding the problem of waiting in line; smart navigation systems help spectators find their seats or venue facilities quickly, improving the smoothness and convenience of the spectator experience. Deng, Feng, and Ye examine the application of IoT and AI in sports consumption, pointing out that these technologies can significantly improve the event experience for users, particularly applications in educational environments, suggesting that smart technologies can not only enhance the quality of event services, but also promote consumer satisfaction and loyalty [22]. Meanwhile, Habachi emphasizes the role of mobile apps and wearable devices in enhancing consumer experience, especially the integration of IoT systems with smart devices, which enables spectators to access real-time game data and increase engagement and interactivity [23]. Zhang and Breedlove, on the other hand, discuss, from a digital technology perspective, how IoT, virtual reality, and wearable devices can enhance spectator satisfaction at sporting events, especially in the Chinese table tennis market. They point out that through the application of these technologies, sports brands are able to attract more spectators and improve the interactivity and engagement of the events, which in turn enhances the overall consumer satisfaction [24]. In light of the above, this study puts forward the following hypothesis:

H1. 

Intelligent application perception in sports venues has a positive effect on race consumption satisfaction.

Individual design perception (IDP) refers to the overall impression of the personality characteristics conveyed by a design work based on the subjective experience and perception of consumers or users when they come into contact with the design work. Personality design perception has become one of the research focuses in product design, brand marketing, digital interaction, and other fields, and its theoretical basis can be traced back to consumer psychology and brand personality theory. In the field of product design, the study of personality design perception mainly focuses on how consumers interpret product appearance, function, and brand image, etc. Hirschman an Holbrook’s study shows that consumers’ cultural background, social experience, and emotional state affect their personalized evaluation of product design [25]. Tobola’s study shows that bright colors and asymmetric shapes often convey the impression of “personalization”. Tobola’s research shows that bright colors and asymmetrical shapes often convey “lively” and “innovative” personalities, while simple designs may be perceived as “classic” or “elegant” [26]. With the advancement of technology, the perception of individuality is also closely related to the innovation and technology content of the product. Kim points out that in smart devices or high-tech products, the embodiment of technological innovation can often give the design work a unique “futuristic” and “innovative” feel, which further enhances the design’s “innovative” character [27], which further shapes the character of the design.

Stadium personalized design perception refers to the audience’s overall perception of the stadium design, including the visual style, spatial layout, facility configuration, interactive experience, and other aspects of the design elements of the stadium. With the rapid development of the sports industry, the personalized design of stadiums is not only limited to the innovation of architectural appearance, but also extends to the internal functional settings, audience experience, and digital interaction. Sports venues often carry the culture and values of a particular brand. The design of some venues may convey a “modern”, “edgy”, or “traditional” brand image through the architectural style, decorative elements, and ambience of the venue. Aaker’s research shows that the degree to which audiences identify with a brand’s personality is closely related to their consumption behavior. If the design of the stadium matches the audience’s personality and preferences, the audience tends to have higher satisfaction and consumption tendency. Therefore, the personality design of sports venues plays an important role in enhancing event experience and consumer satisfaction. The unique appearance of a stadium can leave a deep first impression on spectators, thus affecting their overall evaluation of the stadium. Kitchin discusses the planning and management of the stadium experience, emphasizing the necessity of improving spectator satisfaction through rational design and layout [28]. Lee et al. investigated the impact of stadium sensory dynamics and social interactions on the spectator experience and found that personalized design and interactive stadium environments found that personalized design and interactive venue environments can significantly enhance spectators’ immersion experience and sense of belonging to the venue. Such personalized design not only enhances the enjoyment of watching the game, but also enables spectators to maintain a deep impression after the game and enhances the brand loyalty of the game [29]. Yan and Huang, through the research of stadium design innovation based on the spectators’ emotional experience, pointed out that unique design can cause the spectator’s emotional resonance, especially in the application of the color and spatial layout, which can significantly enhance the spectator’s consumption satisfaction with the game. The study also shows that the innovation of personalized design of stadiums can make spectators have more positive emotional experiences, which plays an important role in enhancing spectators’ sense of participation and satisfaction [30]. In light of the above, this study puts forward the following hypothesis:

H2. 

Individual design perception in sports venues has a positive effect on race consumption satisfaction.

Digital development perception (DDP) refers to the overall understanding that audiences have of various digital facilities and services within sports venues, such as smart displays, digital payment systems, and virtual interactive experiences. This concept is closely related to smart application perception, and the two often intertwine in actual experiences, but their focal points differ. Intelligent application places greater emphasis on the audience’s direct use of and interactive experience with specific functional technologies, such as smart ticketing, navigation systems, and AI fitness services, primarily reflecting subjective perceptions regarding “usability” and “effectiveness”. In contrast, digital development focuses on the systematic construction and evolution of the venue’s technological infrastructure, reflecting the audience’s overall perception of the venue’s digitalization level, including payment environments, information accessibility, and virtual participation channels. Certain technological platforms, such as mobile applications, both host smart service functions and rely on digital development platforms, so the two are highly integrated in practice. However, in research, it is still necessary to distinguish between them in terms of definition. These digital technology applications aim to provide audiences with a more intelligent and convenient viewing experience, thereby enhancing their overall impression and satisfaction with the venue. The introduction of digital facilities and services enables sports venues to provide services to audiences in a more modern and efficient manner, thereby enhancing the viewing experience. Smart displays can provide real-time event information, digital payment systems reduce waiting times, and virtual interactive experiences increase audience engagement and interactivity. These factors collectively enhance audience satisfaction with the event. Zhang suggests that a digital stadium service model in the context of a smart city can effectively enhance the spectators’ sense of experience at an event and that these digital services can make spectators feel convenient and efficiency, which in turn enhances the enjoyment of event consumption [31]. Caulfield and Jha, through their exploration of digital stadiums, emphasized that the digitalization process is the core of the future development of stadiums, which can enhance the overall spectator experience. Studies have shown that spectators’ acceptance of digital facilities has a direct correlation with their race consumption satisfaction; especially, when digital services offer more personalized and interactive features, spectators’ satisfaction increases significantly [32]. Through digital tools, spectators can not only easily participate in the event, but also interact with other spectators on a virtual platform, which further enhances the viewing experience and satisfaction. Accordingly, the following hypothesis is formulated in this study:

H3. 

Digital development perception in sports venues has a positive effect on race consumption satisfaction.

Technology convergence perception (TCP) refers to how the audience perceives the integration and application of various technological systems within a venue, including technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and intelligent equipment. The integrated use of these technologies can provide the audience with a richer and more interactive viewing experience, thus enhancing the sense of technology and attractiveness of the stadium. The introduction of technology integration allows stadiums to enhance the spectator experience in a more modern and advanced way. Internet of Things (IoT) technology can connect all facilities in the stadium to provide more efficient services, virtual reality and augmented reality technology can allow spectators to participate in the event in a more immersive way, and the application of intelligent equipment allows spectators to interact with the stadium through voice control. The integrated application of these technologies not only enhances the audience’s experience, but also increases their satisfaction with the event. Glebova et al. examined the use of digital twin technology in sports venues, pointing out that the integration of technology can greatly enhance the audience’s sense of immersion, especially when virtual environments are utilized to integrate with the real scene at the event site, the audience’s sense of participation and satisfaction with the event has been significantly improved [33]. Zhu and Kou discussed the design of Internet-based intelligent stadium systems, and the study showed that the integration of these technological means enabled stadiums to provide more interactive experiences, and spectators were able to easily access event information through smart devices, which increased the satisfaction of the consumption process [34]. Grüttner highlighted, in his study on digital technology in the sports industry, that integrating science and technology is a key trend for the future of stadium services, particularly through AR and VR to improve audience interactivity and immersion [35]. In light of the above, this study puts forward the following hypothesis:

H4. 

Technology convergence perception in sports venues has a positive effect on race consumption satisfaction.

2.2. Mediating Role of the Flow Experience

The theory of mind-flow perception suggests that an immersive experience, known as a flow experience, occurs when an individual engages in an activity when they are completely focused and experience a highly pleasurable mental state. This experience is usually accompanied by a loss of sense of time and deep engagement with the activity and is a very positive mental state. In a state of mindful flow, people tend to forget about external distractions, focus on the task at hand, and feel an indescribable sense of pleasure and fulfillment. At this point, the individual is not only able to perform at an exceptional level of ability, but also at an optimal level of performance, with the sense of challenge brought about by the activity itself matching the individual’s skill level, creating a balance. The core of the mindstream state lies in the temporary disappearance of self-consciousness. People are no longer overly concerned with external evaluations or their own accomplishments, but are fully immersed in the experience of the moment, enjoying the process rather than the outcome. Individuals at this time feel a deep sense of intrinsic motivation and fulfillment while accomplishing tasks, a state that has a positive impact on mental health and personal growth.

In sports venues, intelligent application can make it easier for spectators to enter a state of mindstream by providing personalized and real-time interactive services that enhance their engagement and immersion in the event. The flow experience plays an important mediating role between the perception of intelligent application in sports venues and race consumption satisfaction. When spectators use the smart ticketing system to enter the stadium quickly, find their seats easily through smart navigation, or understand the game dynamics through real-time data, they are prone to a flow experience, and this deep immersion state makes them more engaged in the event. The mind-flow experience gives spectators a stronger sense of pleasure and fulfillment during the viewing process, thus increasing their overall race consumption satisfaction. Capasa et al. point out that technologies such as virtual reality (VR) can effectively trigger the mind-flow experience of spectators, significantly enhancing their immersion and event engagement. The study showed that the combination of intelligent equipment and real-time interaction made spectators more likely to have a mind-flow experience, which directly increased the satisfaction of event consumption [36]. Lee and Zhou investigated the effects of VR technology on spectators’ emotions and cognition and found that intelligent arena equipment allowed spectators to focus more on the game process, which enhanced the mind-flow experience and ultimately increased spectators’ event satisfaction [37]. Chang et al. emphasized the important role of the mind-flow experience in enhancing spectator satisfaction; especially, the convenience and interactivity of intelligent application in sports venues enable spectators to enter the mind-flow state more easily [38]. Glebova et al. emphasized the importance of the mind-flow experience generated when spectators interact with technology in smart venues through the analysis of digital technology, which makes spectators more engaged in the process of spectating, and significantly improves the overall attractiveness of the tournament, which significantly improves the overall attractiveness of the event and spectator satisfaction [39]. In light of the above, this study puts forward the following hypothesis:

H5. 

Flow experience mediates the relationship between intelligent application perception and race consumption satisfaction in sports venues.

In sports venues, digital technology applications enable spectators to access real-time information, interactive content, and personalized services, which in turn make it easier to enter a state of mindstream and enhance their sense of event participation and overall satisfaction. The flow experience plays an important mediating role between the digital development perception of stadiums and race consumption satisfaction. Through digital amenities such as smart displays and virtual interactive platforms, spectators have access to real-time event data, game progress, and opportunities for virtual interactions, all of which can increase spectator immersion and help them engage more deeply with the event. The creation of a flow experience allows spectators to become more focused on the event experience, which in turn increases their overall race consumption satisfaction. Bradbury notes that the use of new digital amenities such as smart displays and real-time information systems can effectively increase spectator immersion and make it easier for them to enter a state of mindstream. The study emphasized that spectators’ experience in digital venues not only benefited from the sophistication of the facilities, but also significantly increased their event satisfaction due to the immersion brought about by digital technology [40]. Foroughi et al. found that the interactivity of digital facilities significantly enhanced spectators’ emotional experience and made it easier for them to enter into a state of mind-flow, through a study on the quality of peripheral services and the spectators’ emotional response [41]. Slavich et al. showed that digital interactive experiences in sports venues contribute to spectator immersion and satisfaction, especially when spectators are able to access personalized and interactive information through digital platforms, and that such experiences can significantly enhance their event engagement and satisfaction [42]. Chen et al. developed scales for measuring the stadium atmosphere and highlighted the role of digital amenities in enhancing spectators’ important role in identifying with the stadium environment, which further demonstrates the criticality of digital technology in enhancing the flow experience [43]. In light of the above, this study puts forward the following hypothesis:

H6. 

Flow experience mediates the relationship between digital development perception and race consumption satisfaction in sports venues.

In sports venues, the application of personalized design, such as the unique spatial layout, the use of color, and the creative display of themes, can enhance the audience’s emotional engagement and make it easier to enter the state of mindstream, which in turn improves race consumption satisfaction. Flow experience plays an important mediating role between the perception of personalized design and race consumption satisfaction. Personalized design of the stadium through the visual impact and unique experience makes the audience produce strong emotional resonance; for example, through the unique architectural style and creative decorative arrangements, the audience easily produces a sense of immersion and pleasant emotions. This kind of mind-flow experience makes spectators pay full attention to the game and feel a deeper sense of participation and pleasure, thus increasing overall consumer satisfaction. Hwang et al. pointed out, in their study on the impact of sensory experience and stadium personalized design on spectator satisfaction, that personalized design can effectively stimulate the spectator’s emotional response and mind-flow experience, enhance the spectator’s sense of immersion, and thus increase consumer satisfaction. It was found that when the interior design of a stadium can trigger the visual and emotional resonance of spectators, spectators are more likely to enter a state of immersion, which significantly improves their event experience and satisfaction [44]. Perttula et al. pointed out, through the study of stadium design, that personalized design can increase the attractiveness of the stadium; especially, when spectators are able to feel the unique event atmosphere through the personalized decoration and spatial layout, the heart flow will be increased. In particular, when spectators can feel the unique atmosphere of the event through personalized decoration and space layout, the mind-flow experience is effectively stimulated, thus enhancing their satisfaction of event consumption [45]. Iekura et al. suggest that the combination of haptic synchronization technology and personalized design can enhance spectators’ sense of immersion in sports venues and make them feel a stronger sense of participation in the event. These personalized experiences not only make it easier for spectators to enter the state of mindstream, but also greatly enhance their event participation satisfaction [46]. In light of the above, this study puts forward the following hypothesis:

H7. 

Flow experience mediates the relationship between individual design perception and race consumption satisfaction in sports venues.

In sports venues, technology-integrated perceptual design can make it easier for spectators to enter a state of mindstream by providing immersive and interactive technology. Technologies such as virtual reality and digital twins can allow spectators to feel immersive and engaged during the viewing process, and this deep emotional engagement can significantly increase race consumption satisfaction. The mind-flow experience plays an important mediating role between the perception of technology integration and race consumption satisfaction. When spectators experience highly immersive technological interactions in technology-integrated venues, they are more likely to enter a state of mindflow, which brings stronger emotional resonance and pleasure, thus enhancing overall consumption experience and satisfaction. For example, through digital twin technology, spectators not only gain a multi-layered understanding of the event, but also feel more connected to the event, which creates a stronger sense of satisfaction psychologically. Molnár points out that smart stadiums significantly improve spectator immersion and engagement through the convergence of digital technologies and that these technological experiences make it easier for spectators to enter a state of mind-flow and, ultimately, enhance the overall event satisfaction [47]. Glebova et al. also mentioned in their study that through the integration and application of technological means, spectators’ interactivity was significantly enhanced, which effectively improved the flow experience and event satisfaction [48]. In light of the above, this study puts forward the following hypothesis:

H8. 

Flow experience mediates the relationship between technology convergence perception and race consumption satisfaction in sports venues.

The specific model diagram and variable relationships in this study are shown in Figure 1.

3. Study Design

3.1. Questionnaire Methodology

This study utilized a snowball sampling strategy, starting with on-site explanations to participants before formally distributing the questionnaires. This study focuses on the consumption experience of participants in sports venues. The first batch was handed out to spectators both before and after the event, and subsequent respondents were identified through referrals, allowing for broader dissemination and a more diverse participant pool. This approach helped enhance the authenticity and representativeness of the collected data. To avoid potential bias, the questionnaire for this study was distributed only at a large modern sports venue in a central city in western China. In the initial phase, a total of 750 questionnaires were distributed, with 699 responses collected. After eliminating those with incomplete answers or obvious logical inconsistencies, 641 valid responses were retained, yielding a validity rate of 92.70%. Among the valid respondents, 372 were male and 269 female. Regarding the education level, 498 participants had an education level of high school or below, while 143 had education beyond high school, indicating a generally lower educational background within the sample. In terms of attitude toward sports, 282 respondents expressed enjoyment in participating, 142 showed unwillingness, and 217 were neutral. Detailed demographic data of the sample is presented in

Table 1. Descriptive analysis of basic information.

Variant	Categorization	Frequency (N)	Percentage (%)
sexes	male	372	58.0
	female	269	42.0
marital status	single	198	30.9
	married	443	69.1
education attainment	secondary school and below	498	77.7
	junior college or above	143	22.3
annual income	50,000 and below	397	61.9
	50–90 K	167	26.1
	90,000 and above	77	12.0
sporting attitude	willingness to participate	282	44.0
	general willingness to participate	217	33.9
	not willing to participate	142	22.2

.

3.2. Measurement of Variables

In this study, a five-point Likert scale was employed, where 1 represented “strongly disagree” and 5 represented “strongly agree”. Because the number of options on the five-point scale is close to the limit of human short-term memory capacity, respondents can quickly understand the differences in options. All instruments were localized into Chinese using the translation and back-translation method to ensure semantic and cultural equivalence. Drawing on the existing literature, this study consolidated the multidimensional constructs influencing sports event consumption satisfaction, integrating four principal independent variables: perceived intelligent application of sports venues [49], perceived individualized design [50], perceived digital development [51], and perceived technological integration [52]. The measurement items for these constructs were adapted from previously validated scales to ensure validity and refined to fit the context of mass sports consumption in contemporary China. As a result, a 20-item instrument was developed across the four dimensions, with Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.858, 0.874, 0.880, and 0.846, respectively—each exceeding the recommended reliability threshold of 0.7.

For the measurement of flow experience, the instrument was adapted from the well-established scale by Novak et al. [53]. Negatively worded items in the original scale were reformulated into positively worded statements, and item content was slightly revised to align with the thematic focus of the current research. Ultimately, a 6-item scale was constructed for this variable. Regarding event satisfaction, measurement was based on the frameworks developed by Ko et al. [54] and Wakefield et al. [55]. Selected items from both sources were streamlined while retaining core semantic content, resulting in a 4-item satisfaction scale, As shown in Appendix A. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the flow experience and event satisfaction scales were 0.904 and 0.872, respectively, both indicating high internal consistency.

4. Findings

4.1. Common Methodological Biases

In this study, Harman’s single-factor analysis was conducted to assess the presence of common method bias. The results revealed that six distinct factors had eigenvalues greater than 1, jointly explaining 67.151% of the total variance. The first factor accounted for 35.819%, which falls below the commonly accepted threshold of 40%, indicating that common method bias is not a serious issue in this research.

4.2. Exploratory Factor Analysis

Exploratory factor analysis was conducted using SPSS 23.0, beginning with an assessment of the scale’s suitability for factor extraction. The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) measure was 0.945, exceeding the acceptable threshold of 0.7, and Bartlett’s test of sphericity was statistically significant (Sig. < 0.001), confirming that the data were appropriate for factor analysis. Subsequently, principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to extract latent constructs, retaining factors with eigenvalues greater than 1. To enhance interpretability, varimax orthogonal rotation was applied. The analysis yielded six components, collectively accounting for 67.151% of the total variance, which exceeds the commonly recommended threshold of 50%, suggesting a strong representation of the construct dimensions. Furthermore, as shown in

Table 2. Rotated table of variances.

	Component
	1	2	3	4	5	6
FE5	0.784	0.174	0.170	0.132	0.080	0.115
FE1	0.767	0.176	0.148	0.209	0.113	0.128
FE2	0.762	0.169	0.166	0.198	0.094	0.174
FE6	0.720	0.127	0.236	0.181	0.121	0.162
FE3	0.710	0.151	0.164	0.203	0.130	0.176
FE4	0.641	0.252	0.196	0.226	0.189	0.200
IDP1	0.140	0.819	0.107	0.152	0.064	0.097
IDP2	0.169	0.764	0.057	0.178	0.072	0.098
IDP6	0.161	0.762	0.118	0.097	0.021	0.086
IDP5	0.114	0.739	0.143	0.115	0.043	0.116
IDP3	0.111	0.696	0.115	0.153	0.010	0.181
IDP4	0.139	0.691	−0.006	0.124	0.131	0.038
DDP5	0.185	0.071	0.809	0.206	0.120	0.120
DDP1	0.243	0.119	0.780	0.104	0.109	0.134
DDP2	0.177	0.131	0.769	0.020	0.148	0.073
DDP4	0.154	0.116	0.759	0.144	0.171	0.153
DDP3	0.146	0.092	0.673	0.253	0.133	0.190
IAP3	0.143	0.170	0.133	0.754	0.055	0.175
IAP4	0.199	0.125	0.126	0.741	0.124	0.080
IAP1	0.173	0.167	0.187	0.723	0.091	0.112
IAP5	0.219	0.166	0.162	0.712	0.096	0.131
IAP2	0.219	0.226	0.066	0.700	0.122	0.123
TCP3	0.102	0.031	0.150	0.129	0.820	0.097
TCP1	0.128	0.093	0.133	0.113	0.789	0.153
TCP4	0.137	0.060	0.107	0.103	0.780	0.136
TCP2	0.115	0.096	0.174	0.058	0.751	0.121
RCS4	0.143	0.130	0.119	0.123	0.127	0.830
RCS1	0.215	0.165	0.205	0.156	0.111	0.767
RCS2	0.240	0.144	0.169	0.193	0.222	0.714
RCS3	0.260	0.223	0.203	0.190	0.220	0.686

, all items exhibited factor loadings above 0.5, and cross-loadings remained below 0.4, with each item aligning well with its intended construct. These findings support the construct validity and dimensional clarity of the measurement model.

4.3. Validation Factor Analysis

This study involved six latent constructs measured based on a total of 30 observed variables. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted using AMOS 23.0, and the results are presented in

Table 3. Results of validation factor analysis.

Variant	Subject	Factor Load	CR	AVE
IAP	PIA1	0.733	0.858	0.547
	PIA2	0.734
	PIA3	0.756
	PIA4	0.727
	PIA5	0.748
IDP	PID1	0.845	0.877	0.545
	PID2	0.778
	PID3	0.685
	PID4	0.64
	PID5	0.719
	PID6	0.744
DDP	PDD1	0.808	0.883	0.602
	PDD2	0.73
	PDD3	0.708
	PDD4	0.784
	PDD5	0.842
TCP	PIC1	0.788	0.847	0.581
	PIC2	0.715
	PIC3	0.797
	PIC4	0.746
FE	FE1	0.804	0.904	0.611
	FE2	0.809
	FE3	0.755
	FE4	0.766
	FE5	0.784
	FE6	0.769
RCS	RCS1	0.798	0.873	0.631
	RCS2	0.791
	RCS3	0.817
	RCS4	0.772

. The standardized factor loadings for all measurement items exceeded 0.6, the composite reliability (CR) values were all above 0.7, and the average variance extracted (AVE) for each construct was greater than 0.5, collectively demonstrating satisfactory convergent validity across the measurement model. To evaluate discriminant validity, the study applied the more stringent Fornell–Larcker criterion based on AVE values [56]. Specifically, the square root of each construct’s AVE was required to exceed the correlation coefficients between that construct and all others. As shown in

Table 4. Distinctive validity and correlation analysis.

	PIA	PID	PDD	PIC	FE	RCS
IAP	0.740
IDP	0.451 **	0.738
DDP	0.439 **	0.330 **	0.776
TCP	0.333 **	0.236 **	0.402 **	0.762
FE	0.554 **	0.461 **	0.521 **	0.383 **	0.782
RCS	0.476 **	0.417 **	0.479 **	0.435 **	0.555 **	0.794

Note: ** p < 0.01.

, each construct met this condition—the square roots of the AVE values were all greater than the corresponding off-diagonal correlation coefficients, confirming the presence of discriminant validity among the latent variables (with correlation coefficients reported in the lower triangle of the matrix).

4.4. Structural Equation Modeling Analysis

Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted using AMOS 23.0, with parameter estimation based on the maximum likelihood method. The model structure and standardized estimates are illustrated in Figure 2. Regarding model fit, the results demonstrate that CMIN/DF = 1.357, which is within the acceptable threshold of less than 3. Additionally, indices such as GFI, AGFI, NFI, TLI, IFI, and CFI all exceeded 0.90, while RMR = 0.043 and RMSEA = 0.024, both below the recommended cutoff of 0.08. These results collectively indicate that the model exhibits a good overall fit. The specific path coefficients are shown in

Table 5. Table of path coefficients.

Trails			Standardized Coefficient	Non-Standardized Coefficient	S.E.	t	p	Suppose That…
FE	<---	IAP	0.332	0.371	0.054	6.827	***	be tenable
FE	<---	IDP	0.204	0.222	0.045	4.968	***	be tenable
FE	<---	DDP	0.28	0.283	0.044	6.369	***	be tenable
FE	<---	TCP	0.121	0.127	0.042	3.001	**	set up
RCS	<---	IAP	0.14	0.135	0.05	2.699	**	be tenable
RCS	<---	IDP	0.142	0.133	0.041	3.28	**	be tenable
RCS	<---	DDP	0.16	0.139	0.041	3.41	***	be tenable
RCS	<---	TCP	0.22	0.199	0.039	5.148	***	be tenable
RCS	<---	PE	0.278	0.24	0.047	5.129	***	be tenable

Note: ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001.

.

4.5. Intermediary Testing

In this study, the mediating effect was examined through the bootstrapping method. A mediation effect is considered significant when the 95% confidence intervals derived from bootstrapping exclude zero. The procedure was executed 5000 times in AMOS 23.0, generating both Bias-Corrected and Percentile confidence intervals. As presented in

Table 6. Intermediation test table.

	Efficiency Value	Bias-Corrected		Percentile
		95% CI		95% CI
		Lower	Upper	Lower	Upper
IAP_RCS total effect	0.232	0.127	0.337	0.124	0.335
IAP_FE_RCS	0.092	0.049	0.155	0.047	0.15
IAP_RCS direct effect	0.14	0.036	0.248	0.032	0.245
IDP_RCS total effect	0.199	0.103	0.295	0.106	0.297
IDP_FE_RCS	0.057	0.028	0.095	0.027	0.092
IDP_RCS direct effect	0.142	0.049	0.238	0.051	0.239
DDP_RCS total effect	0.238	0.14	0.332	0.141	0.332
DDP_FE_RCS	0.078	0.039	0.132	0.037	0.129
DDP_RCS direct effect	0.16	0.059	0.261	0.058	0.261
TCP_RCS total effect	0.254	0.163	0.343	0.166	0.347
TCP_FE_RCS	0.034	0.011	0.063	0.008	0.06
TCP_RCS direct effect	0.22	0.128	0.306	0.133	0.312

, the results indicate that SEA serves as a partial mediator in the relationship between each of the four independent variables and the dependent variable RSFS.

5. Discussion and Analysis

5.1. Direct Effects

The results of the study show that the perception of intelligent application, individual design, digital development, and technology convergence in sports venues all have a significant positive effect on the race consumption satisfaction.

(1)

The effect of intelligent application perception in sports venues on race consumption satisfaction

Intelligent application perception in sports venues has a significant effect on the enhancement of race consumption satisfaction, a finding that is consistent with the theories of “perceived usefulness” and “perceived ease of use” in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) [57]. Intelligent technologies and services, including smart ticketing, smart navigation, and real-time data display, can effectively optimize spectators’ event participation experience and further enhance their consumer satisfaction. By simplifying the ticketing process, the smart ticketing system reduces the queuing and complex operations in the traditional mode, enabling spectators to enter the venue quickly and reduce external interference, thus enhancing the focus and sense of participation in the event. The intelligent navigation system, on the other hand, provides audiences with intuitive guidance, especially in large-scale event scenarios, to help them quickly find seats and related facilities, avoid getting lost and congestion, and further optimize the event experience [58]. In addition, the real-time data-display function not only enhances the audience’s right to know about the event by instantly presenting the race conditions and key data, but also strengthens the interactivity and sense of immersion, which significantly improves the audience’s attraction to and satisfaction with the event [59]. Electronic payment systems and self-service kiosks reduce the waiting time for food and beverage purchases through efficient services, which improves the convenience and enjoyment of the consumption process.

The results of this study echo existing studies and reveal some new perspectives. Consistent with Won et al.’s conclusion that “intelligent services enhance event satisfaction by improving system convenience” [60], this study further suggests that intelligent application not only optimizes the viewing process in terms of convenience, but also strengthens viewers’ emotional connection and event loyalty through data analysis and personalized recommendation functions. However, unlike Wang and Gao, who mainly focused on the discussion of wearables for health monitoring and event experience enhancement, this study more comprehensively examined the synergistic effect of smart apps on different dimensions such as payment, navigation, and real-time data [61]. The results show that smart app perception integrates experience optimization in multiple ways, which not only effectively drives spectators into a state of mind-flow, but also significantly enhances the overall consumer satisfaction of the event.

(2)

The effect of individual design perception on race consumption satisfaction

Perceived individuality of design in sports venues has a significant positive effect on the satisfaction of sports event consumption, and this result reflects the important role of unique spatial aesthetics and the emotional experience on spectators’ consumption behavior. Personalized design perception includes the unique architectural style, spatial layout, color application, and thematic elements inside and outside the stadium. Unique design not only enhances the aesthetic value of the stadium, but also strengthens the spectator’s experience of the event through the creation of an immersive environment. Firstly, personalized architectural design and decorative elements can evoke emotional resonance in spectators, giving them a sense of belonging and identity with the event environment. This is consistent with Wakefield’s findings that innovative design and thematic decorations in venues can strengthen spectators’ immersion in the event through a strong visual impact, thus enhancing the attractiveness of the event and consumer satisfaction [62]. Secondly, a reasonable and creative spatial layout can optimize the audience’s behavioral path and audio–visual experience, such as ensuring the comfort of the seats, the clarity of the field of vision, and the balance of acoustics, which can not only improve the audience’s physiological comfort, but also enhance the enjoyment of the event experience. Similarly, Phonthanukitithaworn and Sellitto’s findings emphasize that the physical layout of a venue plays a key role in enhancing spectator experience [63]. However, in contrast to their study focusing on functional design, this study further reveals the unique impact of visual design and emotional symbols on the audience’s psychological state. For example, the personalized thematic design of the venues not only stimulated spectators’ emotional responses but also facilitated their entry into a state of mindstream through clever color applications and decorative elements, thus enhancing event engagement and overall satisfaction. Maintaining a deep impression of the venue and the event after the event helps to create a word-of-mouth effect and enhance the event’s market appeal.

In summary, the perception of the individualized design of sports venues has multiple values in enhancing the satisfaction of event consumption by meeting the aesthetic needs of spectators, optimizing spatial functions, and stimulating emotional resonance. Compared with function-oriented design research, this study highlights the importance of personalization and the emotional experience and provides new theoretical support and a practical reference for design innovation and the branding of sports venues.

(3)

The effect of digital development perception in sports venues on race consumption satisfaction

Digital development perception in sports venues has a significant positive impact on sport race consumption satisfaction, which is consistent with the relevant findings of other scholars and also reveals some new insights. Digital development perception mainly involves spectators’ perceptions of facilities such as smart displays, digital payment systems, and virtual interactive platforms, which provide spectators with a more convenient and immersive event experience by improving information delivery efficiency, optimizing the service process, and enhancing the interactive experience. This study found that smart displays and real-time information systems can instantly deliver event dynamics and enable spectators to have a clearer understanding of the game process, thus enhancing immersion and participation, a result that supports Yu et al.’s [64] view that real-time information systems can enhance spectators’ concentration on the event. However, unlike Phua et al.’s study in which the digital interactive platform mainly focused on the enhancement of virtual interaction on tournament loyalty [65], this study emphasizes the important role of interactive experience in immediate engagement and emotional connection, suggesting that the enhancement of consumer satisfaction by virtual interactive technology is not only manifested in long-term loyalty, but also directly affects the viewers’ immediate experience of the tournament.

Compared to previous studies that focused more on the role of a single digital facility, this study further validated the holistic role of digital development perception by comprehensively examining the synergistic effects of smart displays, digital payment systems, and virtual interactive platforms. The results suggest that digital facilities enhance the information delivery and consumption convenience of the event, respectively, and also enhance spectators’ immersion and emotional connection by providing multi-dimensional interactive experiences.

(4)

The effect of technology convergence perception on race consumer satisfaction

Technology convergence perception in sports venues has a significant positive impact on consumer satisfaction at sporting events, which further highlights the value of synergistic multi-technology application in optimizing spectator experience. Technology convergence perception involves the comprehensive use of advanced technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), Internet of Things (IoT), and digital twins in sports venues, which provide spectators with an all-encompassing event experience through the construction of a more immersive and interactive experience and an efficient service model. Glebova et al. found that the use of digital twins in event venues significantly enhanced spectator immersion, thereby increasing overall satisfaction [33]. On the basis of this study, this study further points out that compared with the application of virtual reality and augmented reality technologies alone, the integration of multiple technologies can strengthen the audience’s sense of participation in the event through the synergistic effect. For example, AR technology superimposed on the real-time display of event data enables spectators not only to obtain information more intuitively, but also to deepen their understanding of the event content through visual enhancement, a result that extends Zhu and Kou’s thesis on the role of IoT technology for efficient management in sports venues [34].

Compared to previous studies, this study further reveals the critical role of technology-integrated perception in enhancing spectators’ emotional connection and immersive experience. Through the immersive experience and highly personalized services provided by technological synergy, spectators are more likely to enter a state of mind-flow during the event, which leads to a stronger positive impact on the consumption satisfaction of the event. This suggests that technology-integrated perception not only optimizes the viewing process on a technical level, but also shapes deeper emotional identification and consumption intentions on a psychological level.

5.2. Mediating Effects

The results of the study show that the flow experience plays a significant mediating role in the influence of intelligent application perception, personality design perception, digital development perception, and technology integration perception on race consumption satisfaction in sports venues. The core idea of the flow theory suggests that when spectators are in a state of mind-flow, they show higher levels of immersion and satisfaction [66]. By optimizing the application of technology, design experience, and service functions, stadiums create an environment that stimulates a mind-flow experience for spectators, further enhancing their race consumption satisfaction.

First, smart application perception in sports venues triggers spectators’ mind-flow state by enhancing service efficiency and interactive experience. Specifically, intelligent ticketing and navigation systems reduce cognitive interference by optimizing the flow of the stadium, while real-time data display enhances the audience’s focus and engagement with the event through accurate information delivery. The heart-flow experience plays a bridge role in this process, effectively connecting the technical convenience of intelligence with the satisfaction of event consumption. It can be seen that intelligent application perception not only directly affects satisfaction through functional enhancement, but also further enhances the event experience by promoting the spectators to enter the state of mind flow. Secondly, the individualized design perception of stadiums provides important conditions for the formation of the flow experience by stimulating the emotional resonance and aesthetic recognition of the audience. The unique architectural style and thematic design enhance the audience’s identification with the stadium, while the reasonable spatial layout and visual symbols stimulate the audience’s immersion in the event atmosphere. Emotional stimulation and deep engagement not only enhance spectators’ race consumption satisfaction, but also amplify the impact of personalized design through the mediating role of the mind-flow experience, so that spectators can experience the event fun at a deeper psychological and emotional level, thus enhancing their satisfaction. This is supported by the study of Wakefield et al., which emphasizes the important role of personalized design in enhancing spectators’ emotional engagement and event satisfaction [62]. From these reasons, personalized design creates an emotionally valuable viewing environment for spectators by satisfying their aesthetic needs and emotional expectations.

In addition, the digital development perception of stadiums promotes the spectator’s mind-flow experience in many ways through real-time information delivery, interactivity enhancement, and service optimization. Accurately displayed real-time event information helps spectators better understand the progress of the event and also satisfies their need for timely information, thus enhancing their immersion in the event. The virtual interactive platform significantly enhances the audience’s sense of participation and control through diversified forms of interaction such as online voting, race predictions, and virtual gift giving, enabling them to be more deeply integrated into the race context. At the same time, the efficient digital payment service further enhances audience satisfaction by reducing waiting time and streamlining the process, greatly reducing unnecessary interruptions in the consumption process. The application of digital technology not only optimizes the overall experience process for spectators, but also enhances the attractiveness of the event by increasing its sense of technology and interactivity. From the analysis of the reasons, digital technology creates the conditions for the audience to continuously concentrate and enjoy the experience through three key mechanisms: first, the real-time and accurate information meets the audience’s psychological expectation of quick response; second, the interactive function enhances the audience’s sense of control and belonging to the event situation; third, the personalized service design reduces the distraction factors during the viewing process, providing more ideal conditions for the formation of the mind-flow experience. The third is that personalized service design reduces distractions during the viewing process, providing more ideal conditions for the formation of the flow experience. Together, these factors make digital technology an important driving force in enhancing spectator satisfaction.

Finally, the technology-integrated perception of stadiums builds a deeply immersive experiential environment through multi-technology synergy. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies enable spectators to experience event content in a more intuitive and interactive way, providing them with an immersive viewing experience. Internet of Things (IoT) and digital twin technologies further enhance spectators’ convenience and comfort through the real-time optimization of venue management and dynamic adjustment of service feedback. The integrated application of technology not only enhances the audience’s emotional investment in the event, but also makes it easier for the audience to enter the state of mindstream through immersive dynamic interactions and enhanced scene realism, thus significantly increasing the satisfaction of event consumption. Analyzing the reasons, the reason why technology fusion perception can significantly enhance the viewing experience, firstly, due to the multi-technology synergy will be visual, auditory, and tactile and other senses fully mobilized to create an all-round immersive scene for the audience. Secondly, real-time data feedback and precise venue management enhance the efficiency and personalization of services, which meets the audience’s expectations for a modern, high-quality experience. Yu and Cao’s study supports this view, pointing out that intelligent venues can dynamically adjust service resources through real-time monitoring and data feedback, optimizing the audience’s experience and improving the efficiency of the venue’s operation [67].

Third, dynamic interactive technology not only creates rich participation opportunities for the audience, but also strengthens the emotional connection between the audience and the event, so that they are more deeply involved in the event atmosphere. Zhu and Peng also emphasized in their study that diversified interactive technologies in smart venues can effectively promote the audience’s immersive experience and emotional resonance, which enhances the attractiveness of the event and the audience’s satisfaction [68], which is similar to the research results of this paper. The results are similar. Therefore, the integration of technology becomes an important driving force to enhance the attractiveness of the event and audience satisfaction under the effect of the comprehensive factors of the mind-flow experience.

As a mediating variable between multidimensional perceptual elements and race consumption satisfaction in sports venues, the mind-flow experience deepens the understanding of the audience’s psychological mechanism and provides theoretical support for the optimization of sports stadium services, realizing the transformation from functionality to emotional value. The mind-flow experience transforms the functional characteristics of the perceptual elements into the emotional value and immersion experience of the spectators, forming a key link in the improvement of satisfaction. At the individual level, the flow experience enhances the audience’s concentration and pleasure, while at the collective level, it strengthens the overall satisfaction of the event through emotional resonance and interactive experience. The flow experience creates a deep sense of immersion, emotional connection, psychological relaxation, and cognitive satisfaction through psychological transformation, significantly improving the quality of the public viewing experience [69,70]. Through the mediating role of the flow experience, the different perceptual dimensions realized synergistic effects, which together promoted spectators’ satisfaction with event consumption.

5.3. Discussion of Effect Sizes

Although all hypothesized paths in this study reached statistical significance (p < 0.05), relying solely on p-values to determine the validity of causal relationships in empirical research presents certain limitations. Recent academic discourse emphasizes that while p-values can indicate the probability of rejecting the null hypothesis, they do not directly convey the substantive magnitude or practical relevance of variable relationships. Therefore, to enhance the explanatory depth and theoretical contribution of this study, we further examined the effect sizes and practical relevance of key constructs using standardized path coefficients (β) and the proportion of indirect effects.

First, in terms of direct effects, the standardized coefficient from smart application perception to flow experience was β = 0.332—the largest path in the model—indicating a substantial impact on the immersive experience and spectator satisfaction and classified as a moderately strong effect. Digital development perception (β = 0.28) and technology convergence perception (β = 0.22) followed closely, demonstrating similarly moderate effect sizes. These results suggest that the efficiency of information transmission, the integration of technological functions, and the richness of interactive features play critical roles in shaping spectators’ psychological and behavioral responses. In contrast, the standardized coefficients for individual design perception (β = 0.204) and the path from technology convergence perception to flow experience (β = 0.121) were comparatively lower. Nevertheless, their statistical significance and contribution to the model remain meaningful. These relatively weak effects may stem from limited user familiarity with certain technologies or variation in implementation across stadiums. However, under specific contextual conditions, such variables still possess theoretical relevance and practical implications. Moreover, the mediating role of flow experience also demonstrated substantial explanatory value. For instance, in the path from smart application perception to satisfaction via flow experience, the indirect effect was 0.092, accounting for nearly 40% of the total effect. This finding indicates that perceived technical convenience not only enhances satisfaction directly but also strengthens emotional engagement and identification by triggering immersive experiences, thereby revealing a clear underlying psychological mechanism.

In summary, this investigation into effect sizes complements traditional significance testing by offering more nuanced insights into the relative importance of each predictor within the structural model. By jointly considering standardized coefficients and indirect effects, this study highlights differentiated pathways through which various dimensions of stadium perception shape spectator satisfaction, thereby enriching both the precision and depth of theoretical interpretation.

6. Shortcomings and Prospects

Although this study provides useful empirical support in exploring the relationship among perceived dimensions of stadiums, flow experience, and race consumption satisfaction, there are still some shortcomings and possibilities for future expansion. First, in terms of variable measurement, despite drawing on well-established scales, the applicability of these scales in Chinese cultural and consumption contexts may be limited, and in particular, the specific measurements of intelligent application and personality design may not adequately reflect the preferences and habits of Chinese spectators. Second, there are also limitations in the diversity of the sample. The survey sample of this study, which is dominated by people with lower educational attainment and more concentrated incomes. The current sample can accurately capture the behavioral patterns of a relatively large number of contemporary people. But it may be difficult to fully represent a broader audience, and the universality of its results may be limited in other socio-economic contexts. Thirdly, although the study made efforts in localization and contextual adaptation, the potential influence of cultural values on audience experience formation remains to be explored in depth. In societies with strong collectivist tendencies, audiences often associate event viewing with social belonging and group identity. This cultural context may influence the triggering mechanisms of flow experiences and the cognitive structure of service satisfaction. Similarly, nationalist sentiments and brand loyalty may amplify audience emotional engagement in specific event or venue contexts, thereby altering their response patterns to intelligent services, digital facilities, or design styles. For example, in domestic team or national-level events, audiences may exhibit higher tolerance toward venue services due to strong cultural identification or preferential effects in evaluating intelligent services due to brand loyalty. These cultural psychological dimensions have not been incorporated into the current research model, potentially limiting the interpretive power of the findings in multicultural contexts. Future research could integrate cross-cultural analytical frameworks such as Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory to systematically examine differences in audience perception pathways and satisfaction formation mechanisms across cultural contexts, thereby enhancing the study’s cultural adaptability and theoretical extensibility.

In addition, the study’s use of cross-sectional data analysis fails to reveal the long-term impact and dynamic changes of intelligence and design perceptions on satisfaction, such as the trajectory of audience loyalty cultivation and repeat consumption behavior. Meanwhile, external confounding factors, such as the ticket price, event quality, and weather conditions, were not included in the model, weakening the explanatory power of the findings. For the mediating variable of mind-flow experience, although the study demonstrates its bridging role between perceptual variables and consumption satisfaction, the multidimensional analysis of mind-flow experience is still insufficient, and its intrinsic mechanisms, such as concentration, immersion, and loss of sense of time, have not been explored in depth. In addition, this study focuses on current mainstream digital technologies and design tools and fails to fully consider the potential impact of emerging technologies.

Based on the above shortcomings, future research can improve the existing findings by expanding in many ways. First, we can deepen the adaptability of variable measurements in cultural and geographical contexts and expand the sample coverage to enhance representativeness. Second, we can use time series data to analyze the long-term effects, integrate more external variables such as price and environmental factors, further refine the dimensional analysis of the heart flow experience, and explore the effects of the integration of new technologies and venue services. Third, a more complex integrated model is constructed by combining interdisciplinary perspectives such as psychology, sociology, and technology management to explore in depth the multidimensional impact of intelligent design of sports venues on race consumption satisfaction and its external economic and social effects. These improvements will provide more comprehensive guidance for practice and promote the optimization of intelligent design of stadiums and the high-quality development of the sports industry.