The properties of spectator matter created in 197 Au– 197 Au and 208 Pb– 208 Pb collisions with energies typical for the NICA accelerator complex were studied with the Abrasion–Ablation Monte Carlo for Colliders (AAMCC) model. We review predictions made with AAMCC for several characteristics of spectator matter and compare them with available data. The sum of squares of spectator charges per spectator nucleon is proposed as an additional indicator of collision centrality in BM@N and MPD experiments at NICA. The forward-backward asymmetry of free spectator nucleons is calculated and compared to the asymmetry of the total volume of spectator matter. The sensitivity of calculated yields of spectator neutrons in central 208 Pb‒ 208 Pb collisions to the presence of neutron skin in 208 Pb is demonstrated.