Digital signage and digital scoreboards play a vital role in keeping attendees of sporting events, concerts and speaking sessions engaged and active. These days, the possibilities seem endless as wraparound LED screens wow attendees of events in arenas and stadiums across the world. Major players in the space like Daktronics, SNA Displays, ThinkSIGN, Watchfire and more are constantly developing and installing LED-based technology that is changing the game. Check out these installations to see some of the latest and greatest from the recent past.
Canada’s Eastlink Centre’s Digital Centerhung from Watchfire
In the spring of 2023, the four-sided centerhung display replaced an aging fixed-digit scoreboard. It provides fans in the 3,645-seat arena a 360-degree view of scores, live game and replay videos, crowd engagement videos, animations and advertisements.
Watchfire was selected by the Eastlink Centre, a combined hockey/basketball arena, trade and convention facility located in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, to provide the island’s first centerhung digital scoreboard.
The new four-sided centerhung display replaced an aging fixed-digit scoreboard. It provides fans in the 3,645-seat arena a 360-degree view of scores, live game and replay videos, crowd engagement videos, animations, and advertisements. Built in 1991 for the Canada Winter Games, Eastlink Centre is home to the Charlottetown Islanders of the QMJHL and the Charlottetown Power of the ECBL and hosts concerts and other events throughout the year.
The Gemini Group of Companies of Charlottetown submitted the winning bid to design and install the scoreboard and specified Watchfire to manufacture the display. The centerhung measures 8.5’ x 13.5’ on each side and has a pitch of 3.9mm.
“The resolution on the scoreboard is so good, it’s like watching a huge television,” said John Abbott, interim general manager of Eastlink Centre. Venue organizers have discussed hosting viewing events when the Islanders are on the road and streaming other important events. “It’s a blank canvas and we’re excited about the possibilities,” said Abbott.
Fans in the arena are thrilled with the new addition and love to see themselves on the centerhung, according to Abbott.
“We’re still learning all the things we can do with the display, and Watchfire reps have been on-site several times to teach us all the capabilities. This display really helps us punch above our weight at Eastlink Centre.”
Maintenance and repair of the centerhung is also now easier. Watchfire mounted the new scoreboard using a hoist system, so venue operators can easily lower and raise the display for routine maintenance or repair.
The new centerhung was part of a $2 million renovation of Eastlink Centre, which included new arena glass, renovated dressing rooms and showers, and upgraded sound and lighting systems.
“The new scoreboard is the crown jewel,” said Abbott.
“Eastlink Centre is an important part of the P.E.I. community, and Watchfire is glad to be a part of the upgrades made at the facility,” said Bob Ferrulo, Watchfire Sports Market Director. “The centerhung adds great excitement to the venue and we look forward to partnering with Eastlink Centre for many years.”
Michigan State Upgrades Video Technology at Breslin Center
In January of 2024, Michigan State University upgraded the in-bowl LED displays at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center with video technology from SNA Displays. The Breslin Center is home to the MSU men’s and women’s basketball teams as well as the Spartans’ volleyball program. The multipurpose arena has more than 16,000 seats and hosts a variety of events including commencement ceremonies, concerts, comedians, professional wrestling and other live entertainment.
Owner’s representative and technology consultant, Anthony James Partners (AJP), provided comprehensive design, procurement and construction administration services, supporting MSU in the selection of SNA Displays to manufacture and install the new digital display network.
The Breslin Center’s focal point, a giant centerhung video display system, was completely replaced with a new structure, hoist system and video technology by SNA Displays.
The centerhung features four slightly curved 4 mm BOLD Interior LED screens joined together with tight seams to create a seamless digital canvas with 360-degree viewing. Unwrapped, the centerhung’s display dimensions would be 14 feet tall and 104 feet long (1,080-by-7,920 pixels). The display system processes more than 8.5 million pixels.
Additional features of the centerhung include cladding and LED strip lighting by Phoenix Signs as well as a massive backlit Spartans logo facing down toward the court.
SNA Displays also provided a 360-degree LED ribbon board in the arena. At approximately four feet tall, the new 10 mm ribbon display extends all the way around the Breslin Center’s bowl, more than 725 linear feet (112-by-22,208 pixels).
The arena’s new digital signage package also includes a courtside table equipped with a 3.9 mm BOLD Interior LED video display.
“It’s a really good-looking centerhung that complements the building and its history, and SNA made the custom scoreboard design come to life,” said Michael Rowe, AJP’s chief executive officer. “The combination of the new high-definition LED replay screens, along with the new ribbon boards, are a great addition to the electric atmosphere at the Breslin Center.
“We have enjoyed a great relationship with Michigan State Athletics spanning well over a decade. SNA Displays did a great job looking after one of our most valued customers.”
“We’re honored to work with such a class-act Big Ten program like Michigan State athletics as well as the Anthony James Partner’s team to provide our technology in one of the highest-profile venues in collegiate sports,” said Jason Helton, executive vice president for SNA Displays. “The cutting edge centerhung sets the standard for large, multipurpose arenas like the Breslin Center.”
The new display system employs a multifaceted video management tool, Ross Video’s XPression Tessera, along with a hardware platform including a Carbonite Ultra power switcher and an Ultrix router.
Phoenix Signs provided structural and cladding fabrication services, including lighting elements and the centerhung’s large Spartans logo feature. Bumgarner Construction provided extensive installation services.
UCO Stadium Upgrades Digital Signage
The University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), a public university just north of Oklahoma City, upgraded the large format digital signage at Chad Richison Stadium using LED video technology from SNA Displays in February 2024. The stadium is home to the UCO Bronchos’ NCAA Division II football team and seats 12,000 spectators.
Owner’s representative and technology consultant Anthony James Partners (AJP) provided comprehensive design, procurement, and construction administration services, supporting UCO in selecting SNA Displays to manufacture and install the new EMPIRE Exterior LED video display technology.
“UCO went above and beyond with their knowledge of the facility to overcome some infrastructure challenges that contributed to a successful outcome. Overall their staff was an incredible resource for us to get this upgrade project completed,” said Royce Wall, AJP’s Vice President, Construction Services.
“The newly installed end-zone LED ribbon boards are a great addition to the stadium for scoring and stats, allowing for full video on the primary display, all of which will boost fan experience.”
SNA Displays retrofitted the stadium’s main video scoreboard with a much larger display, representing an increase of almost 300 percent in overall resolution.
The new 10 mm LED display is 35-foot-high-by-42-foot-wide (1,056-by-1,280 pixels) and processes 1.3 million pixels. The scoreboard also features an illuminated UCO logo on the front of the display and Bronchos channel lettering on the rear side. Set at the south end of the stadium above a rocky waterfall, the aesthetics give Richison Stadium one of the most interesting looks in college football.
SNA Displays also provided two end-zone LED ribbons that line the entryway to the university’s Sports Performance Center on the north end of the field. Both ribbon boards are approximately ninety feet long.
“Richison Stadium is considered one of the finest NCAA Division II football stadiums,” said Jason Helton, executive vice president at SNA Displays. “This digital upgrade cements that reputation, further enhancing the game-day experience for the Bronchos faithful
Detroit Tigers Unleash Second-Largest Video Display in Baseball from Daktronics
Revamping and replacing a previous installation in Detroit, Michigan, Daktronics of Brookings, South Dakota, partnered with the Detroit Tigers to deliver the second-largest main video display in baseball’s major leagues at Comerica Park. Five additional displays were installed along the fascia, dugout and line score locations ahead of the 2024 baseball season.
Outfield Video Display
The second-largest display in baseball in the United States will replace the current outfield display at Comerica Park and feature more than 15,000 square feet of digital canvas featuring 14.1 million pixels. The display itself measures approximately 67 feet high by 185 feet wide with a lower component measuring nearly 35 feet high by 96 feet high to create a single outfield display. It features 10-millimeter pixel spacing to provide Tiger fans with clear imagery at wide angle visibility for mass appeal inside the stadium.
“Our company takes great pride in providing professional sports customers with the latest technology and overall digital real estate to execute their complex and engaging game-day experiences,” said Daktronics President and CEO Reece Kurtenbach. “This project for the Detroit Tigers will elevate the atmosphere at Comerica Park for their fans and we’re thrilled to once again partner with their team on a sizeable stadium improvement project featuring LED technology.”
Additional Displays
Two ribbon displays were replaced at the ballpark, one along the first baseline and the other along the third baseline. Each of these measure roughly 3.5 feet high by 75 feet wide. They provide the opportunity to share supplemental graphics to the main display as well as highlighting sponsors throughout events.
Similarly, long narrow displays were installed along the front edge of each dugout roof. These two displays each measure more than 0.5 feet high by 92.5 feet wide. They help provide branding for the Tigers as well as give additional recognition to their sponsors and partners during every game.
In the outfield below the main display, a new display measures almost 5 feet high by 96 feet wide that keeps fans informed with instantly delivered pitching data as well as branding and fan entertainment graphics throughout each game.
The new ribbon boards will feature 10-millimeter pixel spacing while the dugout displays will feature 6-millimeter pixel spacing.
The outfield video display is capable of variable content zoning allowing it to show one large image or multiple zones of content. These zones can show any combination of live video, instant replays, up-to-the-minute statistics and game information, graphics and animations and sponsorship messages.
