MONDO | STADIA - Issue 30 - June | July

MOODY CENTER

BUTLER ESPORTS PARK

TROPICANA FIELD

EXPERIENCE STUDIOS

We take a closer look at the design and technology installed at Austin’s 15,000-seat, multipurpose arena.

NewTek delivers state-of-the-art broadcast production facilties for Butler University’s new Esports venue.

The home of the Tampa Bay Rays has been given a visual upgrade, with digiLED supplying new LED displays.

Mark Murphy discusses designing and delivering technical systems and creative content for sports, entertainment, and art.

ISSUE 30 - JUNE | JULY 2023

THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION FOR TECHNOLOGY IN SPORTING VENUES

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30 WELCOME

elcome to ISSUE 30 of MONDO | STADIA! We were delighted to chat with Mark Murphy, Founder & Director of Experience Studios. It was a fascinating interview, with Mark discussing his wide-ranging career in AV design, working on the likes of Wembley Stadium, Wimbledon Centre Court and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, to name but a few. Now, with the new venture - working closely with Populous - Mark gave us some incredible insight into the AV design of large venues and how his team value creativity in their projects. Check out the full interview on page 8.

We’ve covered Austin’s Moody Center, too, taking a closer look at the 15,000seat venue, with contributions from Henderson Engineers, Daktronics, JBL and Diversified.

There’s also a focus on Butler Esports Park - the new esports and innovation space at Butler University. We’ve taken a look at the design from Populous, as well as the state-of-the-art technology from NewTek powering the broadcast production capabilities for live events and streaming.

Our cover is the spectacular WrestleMania at SoFi Stadium, with the two-night event of LED screens and scenic video technology all driven by Green Hippo’s Hippotizer Boreal+ Media Servers.

Elsewhere, we have plenty of other venues, including Coopers Stadium in Adelaide, which is now equipped with a new d&b audio system, as well as Kappture’s EPOS installation at Brentford FC’s Gtech Community Stadium.

There are many more projects and technology inside, too...

Enjoy the latest issue!

W

Sam Hughes Editorial Director

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30 INSIDE…

Cover Image: © Troutfarm27

Editorial Director Sam Hughes s.hughes@mondiale.co.uk

Commercial Director Jamie Dixon j.dixon@mondiale.co.uk

Design & Production Dan Seaton d.seaton@mondiale.co.uk

Dave Bell d.bell@mondiale.co.uk

Finance Director Amanda Giles a.giles@mondiale.co.uk

Credit Control ar@mondiale.co.uk

Group Chairman Damian Walsh

MONDO | STADIA is published by Mondiale Media Limited, Strawberry Studios, Watson Square, Stockport, SK1 3AZ, UK Tel: +44 161 476 8340

INTERVIEW

COMMUNICATIONS

008 Mark Murphy | Experience Studios

058 Race of Champions | Piteå, Sweden

Printed By Buxton Press

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030 Butler Esports Park | Indianapolis, USA 066 Absen | A99 LED Perimeter Display

VENUE FOCUS

068 Christie | Griffyn Series

AUDIO 042 Coopers Stadium | Adelaide, Australia

070 Bendac | Impakt

VIDEO

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048 Tropicana Field | St. Petersburg, USA 052 WrestleMania @ SoFi Stadium | Inglewood, USA EPOS & HOSPITALITY 056 Gtech Community Stadium | Brentford, England

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30 INTERVIEW

“We aim to create a design that becomes a living, breathing part of the venue, connecting with the planners, promoters, artists, and everyone involved.”

Mark Murphy Founder / Director Experience Studios

Mark Murphy (left) and Kevin Luckhurst (right), founders of Experience Studios

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INTERVIEW

MARK MURPHY, FOUNDER / DIRECTOR, EXPERIENCE STUDIOS Firstly, can you introduce yourselves and give us

London Olympic Stadium and right across the Olympic

some background to your careers?

Park’s permanent venues.

Like many others, I began my journey as an amateur

One of the key aspects of that role was bridging the

musician during my teenage years. However, I didn’t

gap between the systems designed and installed by

actually study music and my options were limited, so

contractors and the specific needs of the venue teams

I discovered a degree called Electro Acoustics, which

for running events. Often, there was a disconnect

focused on audio systems, venues, and the science

between what was installed and what the venue

behind them. It was a brilliant degree that fascinated

teams actually required. It was about facilitating

me, really. From there, I met someone who was

the coordination and integration of these systems to

involved in designing recording studios. That really

ensure they aligned with the demands of the events. It

interested me, so I made a few calls and managed

was obviously great to be part of making a huge event

to secure some work with a company in London and

such as that a success.

actually went on to work with them after I graduated.

We actually supported the venues on site for the 2012

As a result of that work, I met a few more people in the

Olympics, with a team of 20 people operating on shifts

industry and found myself, in 1999, working on the

for both the Olympics and Paralympics. It was a great

audio system for the Millennium Dome that was due to

first-hand user experience to help you understand the

open the following year. I spent a year on that project,

unique requirements for venues and events.

which was an incredible, exciting experience that gave

I have always been driven by a passion for

me a real taste of a deadline-driven project and how

understanding the creative intent behind the systems,

they work.

aligning them with the events taking place and working closely with construction and design teams

And how did you first get into the stadium industry?

to ensure the seamless integration of permanent

Again, through meeting people – I met somebody

installations. The intertwining of these aspects has

who was working at Wembley Stadium and managed

pretty much defined my working life.

to get a role there as a designer when the venue was going to be demolished and rebuilt. And that’s how

You were a big part of the Tottenham Hotspur

I got into the large venue work. Funnily enough,

Stadium project – can you tell us more about that?

after the Millennium Dome closed, I also worked on

I was approached to join the Tottenham Hotspur

the design of O2 Arena, so that was two amazing

Stadium project – it was actually a secondment, so I

projects to be part of. Shortly after, I worked on the

served at the club for three years as the Audiovisual

Wimbledon Centre Court project, which was done by

Project Manager for the stadium development. I was

the architectural practice that is now Populous.

responsible for the LED Displays, IPTV, audio systems,

I was a designer of audiovisual systems and acoustics

presentation systems, and matchday production

– and, rolling forwards, that led to working on the

throughout the stadium. It was an amazing project to

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009

INTERVIEW

MUCcc Arena, Munich

work on and, of course, another Populous project, which goes

and feel of the stadium. It really tied the technical and

to show how much I’ve worked with them over the years!

creative element together.

It was the same kind of narrative of effectively helping

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to get hardware in construction projects and dealing with

How did Experience Studios begin – and what is it that

audiovisual systems and matchday production.

excites you about this new venture?

However, it became apparent that the club as a whole was

Everything in my working life has culminated towards

undergoing significant transformation. The construction was

Experience Studios. I was working at a small company and

not solely about the new stadium; it entailed a comprehensive

was presented with an unexpected opportunity. It felt like

shift in the way the organisation operated and functioned and

an incredible chance to be part of a family that shared the

brought forth a renewed drive and aspiration. As part of

same passion for building world-class venues and creating

Tottenham Hotspur, we aimed to establish a fresh approach

exceptional experiences. I also reconnected with Kevin

and tried to shape a new vision ahead of the move.

Luckhurst (Director / Founder of Experience Studios), with

You just cannot fault the aspiration in terms of what Spurs

whom I had previously worked with in years gone by. He had

wanted to achieve with that new stadium. It is absolutely

a history in music production and DJing, which translated

the benchmark and that was down to Daniel Levy’s desire to

into his previous role and involvement in creative and arts

make it the best in the world. We had a lot of meetings and

projects. One notable project he had worked on was Outernet

he really understood the value of investing in the technology.

London, that emphasised immersive video and spatial audio

We did a lot of reviewing and upgrading to change the

experiences.

customer experience, but that, interestingly, really led us to

So, we joined forces at Experience Studios and aimed to

start to consider what we were going to actually do with all

leverage our combined 40 years of experience and align it

this hardware. What’s going to run on this? Who is going

with the current landscape. The most exciting aspect for me

to make the content? How are we going to operate it? And

was witnessing the dramatic changes in the tools we use for

that’s where I found my role. It grew from there and really

our work. Technology has been evolving rapidly, particularly

developed the creative strategy. It helped with recruitment

in the realms of video, AI, production tools, immersive

for production, creative and support to help build the look

environments, and VR. This ongoing shift in the technological

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INTERVIEW landscape has been inspiring. The tools we once used to struggle with, such as working in 3D or using computational tools to design and understand venue sound and video systems, have now become clunky and outdated. However, the transformation has really opened up new possibilities.

For instance, I recall presenting a project to Daniel Levy before the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was built. I built the entire presentation in a tool called Disguise Designer and, at the time, it felt like a revolution. However, compared to the tools available now, it pales in comparison. The current workflow involves integrating Unreal Engine as a plugin into architectural design software like Revit. This integration allows us to connect lighting, video, and spatial audio through wireframes, creating a seamless architecturalto-content workflow. The same tools used to design the architecture are used to present and preview shows, enabling clients to visualise and experience their vision in 3D. This convergence of architectural design and event production has been a major development in our industry. This whole workflow means that architectural designs are actually a piece of content before you’ve even begun the build.

What excites me the most is that Experience Studios are encompassing this fusion of technology and creativity – and that feels as though it wasn’t as feasible just five years ago.

Now, the team I work with is already well-versed in creating immersive spaces, and utilising plugins to integrate video and audio seamlessly. This technological progress allows us to provide experiences and tell stories in ways we previously could only aspire to. We now have the tools to show rather than just explain – and that’s truly exhilarating!

Embarking on this new venture with Experience Studios allows us to start afresh. We have built a team of 14 talented individuals over the past year; however, it’s not just about adding bodies; it’s about finding individuals who understand our vision, share our perspective, and possess the skills to make the connection.

Experience Studios design and deliver the AV systems, but it’s clear it goes beyond that in terms of the creative side – is that a big passion for the team?

When it comes to creativity, it’s not just about what happens afterwards; it’s also about the creative process itself, which is quite fascinating. There are a couple of key points I’d like to highlight. First, both myself and the individuals in our team have a background in either technical or artistic fields.

This allows us to connect with people who have first-hand Close-up of an ice sculpture from Erland Cooper’s “Folded Landscape”

experience as performers, artists, or similar. Their mindset and understanding of the end product, along with the goals of entertaining and informing people, greatly influence our design process. Drawing from their experience and knowledge enables us to approach design from a unique perspective, having stood on stage or run a show in a venue ourselves. For me, it’s crucial to collaborate with people who truly understand this industry. Many members of our team are still actively involved in various areas of the entertainment industry, and we fully support that. We really

012

value their passion because it brings a wealth of experience

breathing part of the venue, connecting with the planners,

to the projects we undertake. Whether they pursue their

promoters, artists, and everyone involved. It’s about

passion alongside their work with us or integrate it into their

considering the content, operations, and how everything

roles within the company, we encourage and embrace it. We

comes together. We offer a comprehensive approach that

don’t believe in limiting their involvement; instead, we see

extends beyond the completion of construction projects,

it as an integral part of our job. We remain connected to the

renovations, or refurbishments, and becomes an integral

industry, whether it’s theatre, music, or other entertainment.

part of the venue’s ongoing life. It’s an exciting prospect

Our team members are actively working on shows while also

for us to find people who truly grasp this concept. Not

contributing to the design process. It’s really vital.

everyone understands the unique dynamics of our industry,

Another important aspect is understanding not only the

so discovering like-minded people has been great. We’ve

systems and hardware in the design, but also the overall

had the pleasure of meeting new friends and colleagues who

strategy. We aim to create a design that becomes a living,

share our vision and are excited to work together.

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INTERVIEW How has the collaboration with Populous been over the past

personalisation and location-based services are promising,

year?

it’s crucial to understand the specific topology of a stadium

Populous specialises in sports and entertainment venues, so

and how people interact with it during events. Those

it’s been hugely advantageous. Their focused expertise allows

who work in stadiums comprehend the complexities of

us to collaborate with architects who share the same goal of

facilitating audience engagement and enjoyment of content,

creating exceptional experiences for people coming together.

be it in sports or entertainment. This knowledge becomes

The beauty of this collaboration lies in the ability of the 3D

increasingly valuable when considering the costs associated

tools and technologies we discussed earlier to communicate

with stadia or major sporting events. The goal is to extend

with each other in three-dimensional space, enhancing the

the length of time people spend at the venue, both before and

design process. The impact of video on stadium design is a

after events, and to deliver content that resonates on a large

great example of how the expectation for screen placement,

scale.

immersive experiences and added value elements continues

Another aspect that I find fascinating is the continuous

to evolve.

pursuit of quality improvement in video and audio. The

Populous projects like the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

expectations for content quality continue to rise, and

exemplify the constant push for better experiences and higher

technology now allows for exceptional image quality

benchmarks. Being involved in these projects from day one

on video screens. However, it’s essential to ensure that

allows us to work with a team that is already considering

the infrastructure, such as cabling, can support such

how to create the desired experience and how technology can

advancements. Likewise, audio design for large spaces has

be inherently integrated into the design. It’s not about simply

seen significant advancements in recent years, enabling a

adding technology as an afterthought, but rather making it

higher level of quality in sound reproduction.

an integral part of the design process and considering how the venue will be experienced and function.

Overall, the ability to collaborate with architects who share our vision, incorporate technology into the design process, and focus on creating exceptional experiences is of great value. It’s a rewarding experience to be part of a team that strives to elevate the user experience in venues and understands the importance of thoughtful design.

What has it been like using your expertise to influence venues in those early stages?

One thing that’s clear for every venue, whether it’s one around the corner from your house or a large stadium, is that the expectation for the customer or fan experience has gone up and up. This increased expectation is a positive development because it pushes venues to provide more value and take the fan experience seriously. In the stadium and arena project scenario, there is now a broader understanding of the world of engaging experiences and digital overlays.

Venues are recognising the importance of meeting people’s expectations and incorporating the latest technologies into their designs.

What we find particularly interesting is that not all these experiences need to be integrated into the architecture itself or require major construction projects. However, they

“One thing that’s clear for every venue, whether it’s one around the corner from your house or a large stadium, is that the expectation for the customer or fan experience has gone up and up.

This increased expectation is a positive development because it pushes venues to provide more value and take the fan experience seriously.”

Mark Murphy

should be considered and planned for because they inform how people perceive the space and the infrastructure needed to support these experiences. It’s possible to approach it on multiple levels, such as designing a space to achieve a specific goal, inputting infrastructure to enable connectivity, and then connecting the actual elements together. These steps can be taken gradually or in stages, providing flexibility in the design process.

Despite this, not all stadiums have implemented such highHow do you see AV in stadiums and arenas right now – and

quality systems yet. Often, you find that existing venues

where do you see it developing?

are working through a lifecycle process, replacing outdated

Well, I believe one thing that’s certain is that experiences,

equipment and aligning with current standards. When

not just in stadia and arenas, but across various sectors like

upgrading systems, it’s crucial to prioritise the parameters

retail, hospitality, leisure, and tourism, are becoming more

that truly matter to the user experience.

personalised. This trend of personalisation extends to the

One key challenge I’ve observed is that some stadiums may

interaction between in-stadium systems and the devices

possess top-of-the-line hardware and systems, but lack the

people carry. It’s about ensuring continuity of content and

internal expertise, knowledge, or operational budget to run

access across these systems, while incorporating intelligence.

them effectively. It’s not just about investing in technology;

However, implementing such technology in a stadium

it’s also about investing in skilled operators, ongoing content

environment poses unique challenges.

creation, and cohesive management strategies. Bridging this

Unlike an art gallery, where locating and responding to

gap between technology and operational capabilities can

individuals is easier, stadiums have thousands of people

significantly enhance the fan experience without unnecessary

moving through concourses simultaneously. So, while

hardware expenditures. Finding the right balance is critical.

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INTERVIEW

Co-op Live, Manchester

Another interesting aspect to consider is the shortage of

upcoming Co-op Live Arena, a highly-anticipated project

skilled personnel to operate these advanced systems. It’s

in Manchester, UK that aims to provide an exceptional

essential to explore ways to engage with those entering the

experience to everyone who attends shows there. The video

industry, whether through formal education or apprenticeship

we created effectively highlights the venue’s design elements

programmes. Understanding how to provide opportunities for

and showcases why Co-op Live will offer an unparalleled live

newcomers to gain experience, learn, and grow in this field

music experience. We are excited to release this video in the

is a challenge worth addressing. It’s not merely a matter of

next couple of months to support the ongoing preparations

increasing the number of professionals; it’s about finding the

for the venue opening.

right individuals with the necessary skills and passion for

One aspect that sets us apart is our ability to translate

running and managing these systems

technical elements and economic know-how into a narrative

effectively.

format that appeals to a wide audience. We aim to create content that not only informs, but also excites and inspires

Which projects are you currently working on?

people to attend shows in our venues. Our sweet spot lies

Currently, we’re engaged in multiple stadium and arena

in understanding how venues work and its design - and

projects worldwide with Populous, such as the MUCcc Arena,

incorporating that knowledge into captivating narratives.

which will be a new multi-use, climate-neutral, 20,000

This approach has been particularly successful in our recent

capacity event venue in Munich. That’s a really exciting

projects.

project for us.

In addition to these ventures, we have recently secured a

We are involved in various new build stadium projects

refurbishment project in the UK that highlights the diversity

globally, although I can’t go into too much detail just yet!

of our work, which spans from immediate projects to long-

These projects range from refurbishments to the development

term endeavours. Some of our work in the UK and Europe

of new venues, each presenting unique challenges and

involves refurbishments or developing single-stand venues,

opportunities. One noteworthy project, which I cannot

alongside major projects. We also delve into entirely new

reveal too much about again, involves the creation of a

build projects, providing us with a nice range of challenges.

venue specifically tailored for esports. This combines our

014

architectural expertise with the installation of a permanent

Away from the stadiums and arenas, what projects have you

production system capable of hosting esports events at an

been working on and how do they enhance what Experience

arena scale. It is projects like these that merge our interests

Studios can deliver?

and skills perfectly.

We take pride in working on a broad spectrum of projects,

Additionally, we are working on various creative arts and

from the artistic side to assisting with system preparation

performance projects. While some of these projects are on

for shows. This wide range of experiences allows us to bring

a smaller scale, they serve as a way for us to tap into our

valuable knowledge to our stadium projects. The cross-

expertise and apply it to larger ventures.

pollination of ideas and expertise fuels our passion for what

For instance, we created an animation to promote the

we do.

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INTERVIEW

A monolithic ice sculpture takes the place of the conductor in a performance of “Folded Landscapes” at the Barbican

Another aspect worth mentioning is our collaboration

engagement to each project. The ability to present a venue

with artists. For example, one of my colleagues worked on

or concept in 3D, especially when clients have no previous

the Erland Cooper shows at the Barbican, which revolved

concept, often garners a strong positive response and

around the topic of climate change. In this project, we

enhances their understanding and excitement for what we’re

employed various digital tools, from concept illustrations to

aiming to achieve.

animations, to create an immersive experience. The show

Ultimately, we find immense satisfaction in these projects

itself had a live performance with the conductor replaced by

because we genuinely enjoy the work. However, we also

a plinth of ice that houses a living plant, which gradually

recognise the growing demand in the market for engaging

reveals itself as the ice melts during the performance.

content. Whether it pertains to existing or future venues, the

While digital tools played a crucial role in the research and

ability to present captivating visual and immersive content

development phase, the show’s essence was far from digital-

plays a significant role in driving our work. We are curious to

centric. It effectively merged the visual and auditory elements

see the extent to which content production, including visual

to deliver a captivating experience.

and spatial audio elements, will shape our business in the

Also, our team comprises experts in 3D visualisation, such

future. Presently, it is already a significant component, and

as Chris Lane, who recently created a virtual Zen Garden

we anticipate its continued growth. The interest generated by

displayed at The Mailbox in Birmingham. This project

our work in this area has been substantial and reinforces our

involved collaborating with an artist and a beauty brand to

commitment to exploring new possibilities.

build a world using Unreal Engine. The installation offers visitors an immersive experience. Furthermore, selected stills from the animation are available for purchase as framed art pieces. While not all our visualisations reach the level of a fine art piece, we aim to bring the right level of skill and

016

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11/04/23 16:24

POPULOUS Redefining Architectural Design for Stadiums and Arenas Images: Edward Hill & Fulham FC / Rex Shutterstock

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, UK Populous, a global architecture and design practice,

design, and broadcast services. Jump Studios, an award-

specialises in the design and delivery of stadiums, arenas,

winning interior design practice, brings expertise in creating

performance venues, and major live events. The company

remarkable interior spaces for sports, entertainment, bars,

has a track record of over 3,000 projects worldwide,

restaurants, and hospitality.

including iconic venues such as the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Yankee Stadium, event overlay for every Super

Showcasing Innovation

Bowl since 1985, and the Stadium Australia, built for the

Populous is currently involved in numerous iconic and

Sydney 2000 Olympics.

exciting projects worldwide. In the UK, the company has created the new Riverside Stand at Craven Cottage for

018

A Comprehensive Design Approach

Fulham FC, with a ground-breaking design that subverts the

Populous takes a holistic design approach, offering a range of

traditional conventions of stadium hospitality. The stand

services and sub-brands to provide an end-to-end experience

offers a unique experience overlooking the River Thames,

for clients. “Our practice is designed to provide a depth of

and features a range of facilities that create a unique user

expertise and services within the defined space of sports,

experience and maximise revenue all year-round. These

entertainment, public assembly, and major events,” explains

include shops, restaurants, bars, conference and event spaces,

Christopher Lee, Populous’ Managing Director for the EMEA

a boutique hotel, and a health club with a rooftop pool.

region. “We’re not a general architecture practice with a

Another notable project nearing completion is the Co-op Live

sports department.”

Arena in Manchester. Designed to provide the best live music

With over 800 dedicated experts working across 25 studios

experience, the venue features a tight seating bowl with

worldwide, Populous covers various disciplines, including

steeply raked tiers and a large standing floor area, creating

architecture, interior design, urban design, master planning,

an intimate nightclub-like atmosphere. The space’s geometry

landscape architecture, brand activation, and wayfinding.

has been carefully shaped and treated to control sound

To complement its core design services and expand

reflections and optimise acoustics, resulting in an exceptional

its portfolio of client services, Populous incorporates a

listening environment. With a capacity of 23,500, Co-op Live

number of partner companies: Populous Consulting, led by

will be the largest arena in the UK when it opens.

Diarmuid Crowley, provides a comprehensive, design-led

Lee adds: “As well as these incredible UK venues, we

business planning service, focusing on revenue-generating

have a global portfolio of extremely exciting projects we

opportunities for clients. Experience Studios, led by Mark

are currently working on, from the new Buffalo Bills NFL

Murphy and Kevin Luckhurst, specialises in experiential

stadium in the US to the Kai Tak Stadium and Sports park

engineering services, including acoustic design, audio-visual

in Hong Kong. This enables us to draw on resource and

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INTERVIEW

The new Riverside Stand for Fulham FC, London, UK expertise from across the world to service our clients’ needs.”

replays, player heart rates, and match statistics are just a few examples of the digital elements that can be incorporated to

Sustainability as a Fundamental Component

augment the live experience. There is an excitement about

“Given the scale and visibility of many of our projects, our

the possibilities of augmented reality, too, and how wearable

commitment at Populous to environmentally sustainable

technology has evolved to a point where it can be seamlessly

design is crucial and non-negotiable. There’s not a single

integrated into the live experience, blurring the lines between

project currently on our books for which sustainability isn’t a

physical and digital interactions.

fundamental component of the brief, reflecting the attitudes and expectation of our clients, the industry and society at

The Future of Stadium and Arena Design

large,” explains Lee. Populous recently worked on Climate

Looking ahead, Populous recognise that sustainability

Pledge Arena in Seattle, which is the first net zero-certified

and digital integration are key areas for development and

arena in the world, as well as being involved in the creation

innovation in stadium and arena design, as well as the

of Co-op Live, Europe’s most sustainable arena.

continued evolution of multi-use venues. Single-use venues are becoming less viable due to environmental, financial, and

Designing for Gender Equity

experiential reasons.

With the ongoing rise of women’s sport, there is an

“I think we will see an increasing number of facilities

increasing focus on gender-equitable stadium design.

integrating retractable pitches and roofs into their stadiums,

Populous leverages its experience from the US and Australia,

like we have at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and looking

where they have worked on a wide range of collegiate and

for new and clever ways to utilise existing space to host a

professional women’s sports projects. The challenge for

broader range of events,” Lee explains. “Arenas will continue

stadium and arena designers lies in creating spaces that cater

to evolve to become more complete destinations with bars

to a new audience.

and restaurants within the building itself that draw people to

“Equitable facilities need to be about more than hitting

the venue earlier and provide somewhere for them to gather

minimums – we need to think of intentional family and

after events. It’s an incredibly exciting time for the industry.”

female-first design,” says Lee. The Role of Digital Integration In today’s technology-driven world, digital integration is key to stadium and arena design. Populous recognises the opportunity to enhance the live experience for fans and spectators by integrating digital content seamlessly. Instant

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019

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We know that it’s more important than ever for us to help you communicate with the industry. If you’d like your copy of MONDO | STADIA delivered to a different address, e-mail Jamie at j.dixon@mondiale.co.uk

30 THE FULL PITCH

022 Moody Center | Austin, USA 030 Butler Esports Park | Indianapolis, USA

MOODY CENTER Austin, USA Images: Henderson Engineers, Daktronics

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HENDERSON ENGINEERS As part of an innovative P3 (public-private partnership), Oak

dynamic use supported by the lower bowl PDV.

View Group and the University of Texas at Austin (UT) set out

One of the challenges unique to this project was connecting

to build a world-class arena to bring the best performances

Moody Center to the UT campus central utility plant

to the city, widely regarded as the “Live Music Capital of

operation. The sequence was unique and, at first, did not

the World.” Now Moody Center, the multi-purpose venue

work as intended due to campus restrictions. Henderson

hosts men’s and women’s basketball games for UT’s Texas

Engineers and Henderson Building Solutions closely

Longhorns, attracts top concert talent and hosts a variety

collaborated with campus personnel on the best way to

of other events throughout the year. The new venue and

overcome the hurdle, which included project specific system

tailgating plaza sit across the street from the historic Darrell

controls sequencing to accommodate both the Moody Center

K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, creating an unrivaled

and UT campus plant demands. Careful consideration went

gameday experience for Longhorns fans.

into making sure the solution worked for all parties involved.

Henderson Engineers, a national firm with a Texas office

The joint effort between the affiliated companies and their

presence in Dallas and Houston, was brought on to provide

familiarity with each other’s approach was a major benefit

building systems design for the 15,000-seat arena including

to all stakeholders on the project. Due to the existing

electrical, fire and life safety, mechanical, and plumbing.

relationship, responses were quicker when needing to get

Sister company Henderson Building Solutions, a construction

answers when questions presented themselves. In lieu of

management and commissioning firm, was simultaneously

submitting an RFI and waiting for a response, the teams

enlisted for commissioning services, which involved assessing

collaborated to gain clarity and identify the best solution

building systems for functionality and durability.

to a problem. Working together also benefitted the general

Using experience gained on a recent professional arena

contractor by reducing the number of punch list items and

project, Henderson Engineers designed a lower bowl

enabling quicker completion times for tasks.

mechanical system that supplies air conditioning from below

The entire Moody Center build was a five-year process. At

the seats, also known as positive displacement ventilation

the start, the Henderson Engineers team worked on a concept

(PDV). The system, which provides cooling from the bottom

design prior to a defined delivery method in early 2017. The

up instead of the top down via overhead ducts, is the first of

request for proposal (RFP) and design team selection occurred

its kind in a collegiate arena in the United States. It provides

in late 2018 with onboarding in January 2019. The Henderson

increased air quality and ventilation effectiveness, allows for

Building Solutions commissioning team was included in the

greater economizer operation, and reduces bowl pre-cooling

RFP response and onboarded in 2019 to perform document

times, allowing for reduced system ventilation and run time

review and was involved through the closeout of the project,

demands. Energy modeling estimates approximately 15% in

bridging the gap between design and construction. While

project energy savings from the PDV system when compared

the two Henderson teams are different companies, their

to traditional overhead systems. The arena design also

cultural alignment and combination of diverse skillsets was

includes an operable closure system that mechanically lowers

key in helping realize the ambitious vision set forth for the

to close off a portion or the entirety of the upper bowl for a

development.

more intimate setting and widely varying seating capacities, a

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DAKTRONICS Daktronics partnered with the Oak View Group to manufacture

approximately 3 feet high by 109 feet wide. This display will

and install nine LED displays at Moody Center. A new

also feature 5.9-millimeter pixel spacing. On the underbelly of

centerhung video display system, ribbon display and marquee

the centerhung, two video displays feature 2.5-millimeter pixel

display were installed at the end of 2021 and are currently

spacing and each measure 5 feet high by 15 feet wide to share

informing and entertaining audiences.

supplemental information to the main displays and bring a

Each of the four main centerhung LED video displays measure

better view to guests sitting closer to the action.

approximately 20.5 feet high by 27 feet wide and feature

Adding to the centerhung, a long LED ribbon display has

5.9-millimeter pixel spacing to bring crisp, clear images to

been mounted to the seating fascia of the arena. This display

audiences throughout the arena. Each display is capable of

measures approximately 3.5 feet high by 715 feet wide and

variable content zoning allowing each to show one large image

features 10-millimeter pixel spacing to bring opportunities

or multiple zones of video, replay and graphic content that fans

to share additional statistics and sponsorship messages

crave. They can also show statistics and sponsorship messages

throughout events.

throughout events.

“The Daktronics’ LED system provides a great experience for

Below the main video displays is a ring display measuring

those attending concerts and sporting events. The wide variety

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of events hosted at Moody Center will allow Daktronics to showcase our flexibility in this multi-use venue,” said Will Ellerbruch, Daktronics’ National Sales Manager for Live Events.

“It’s been great to partner with Oak View Group and everyone involved on this project, and we are honoured to be a part of this first-class facility that has been highly anticipated in Austin.”

Outside Moody Center, two marquee displays have been installed to welcome fans and inform them of upcoming events. One display wraps around the corner of the facility and will measure 26 feet high by 32.5 feet wide. The other display measures 15 feet high by 26 feet wide. Both marquee displays feature a tight 5.9-millimeter pixel spacing with high resolution and crisp imagery to engage audiences as they arrive for live events.

Daktronics has also provided its powerful Show Control solution with this installation. This industry-leading system provides a combination of display control software, world-class video processing, data integration and playback hardware that forms a user-friendly production solution.

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BRING THE EXPERIENCE Daktronics provides visual experience at Moody Center.

The centerhung, ribbon displays, and marquees bring new light to the arena.

Scan the QR Code to learn more or visit us at Daktronics.com/ProfessionalSports

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JBL | DIVERSIFIED

028

The Moody Center has been designed and built to be a

“The main seating bowl is supported by six main arrays

premium event venue for University Of Texas’ sports and

- two with 16 VTX A8 loudspeakers and three VTX S28

athletics, as well as concerts and a whole host of other

subwoofers; two with 16 VTX A8 loudspeakers; and two floor

events.

fill arrays, each with five VTX A8 loudspeakers and three VTX

Diversified were brought in as the system integrators for the

S28 subwoofers. Each array is driven by Crown amplifiers.

AV systems in the building, including the audiovisual setup

“The bowl delivers a fantastic sound for University games, as

within the main bowl, the back of house AV, TVs and IPTV,

well as in-house performances and events.”

broadcast cabling, and the broadcast video control room.

The back of house spaces including clubs, bars, concourses,

The Moody Center project was built during the Covid

concessions, boardrooms, talent / green rooms, exterior

pandemic, with extremely challenging conditions and tight

patios, and restrooms - all of which are supported with JBL

deadlines, though it was still able to open and welcome

loudspeakers and 285 Samsung televisions to keep every fan

visitors on schedule, which is a huge credit to the whole team

engaged in the live sport, concert or event, no matter where

that worked on the project.

they are in the building.

Erik Carlson, Senior Project Manager – Sports & Live

The buildings broadcasting capabilities include a full

Events at Diversified, spoke to MONDO | STADIA about the

broadcast control room for video / audio broadcasting

spectacular arena and its equally impressive AV system:

in and out of the building, including a broadcast cabling

“The Moody Center is truly an extremely versatile venue that

infrastructure to provide video broadcasting capabilities

maximises the fan experience for all events it hosts.

throughout the venue.

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VITEC The Moody Center design included an extensive number

VITEC deployed an EZ TV Pro server to support the initial

of displays around the facility to provide digital signage in

installation of 270+ EP5 end-points to displays around the

concession areas, plus access to TV content for VIP suites

Moody Center. The centrally-managed server provides TV

and premium concourse areas. The Technical Team needed

and signage content throughout the entire facility – including

an IPTV & Digital Signage platform that would give them the

IPTV in the luxury suites; dynamic video signage for bar and

ability to use content on the displays around the venue to

concession locations; and video playlists for sponsor and

engage audiences, as well as deliver the capability of scaling

upcoming events signage throughout concourses.

to support future expansion. They selected VITEC’s IPTV &

Additionally, the VITEC system can integrate with their Oracle

Digital Signage solution because it exceeded the requirements

Micros point of sale systems, which control menu boards in

for the initial design, plus, the VITEC system was also being

the facility. That integration allows for easy management and

used in the new University of Texas Football Operations, co-

changes to menu boards based on F&B availability or event

located on campus, so it was proven to be a reliable platform.

profiles.

“One of the primary reasons we selected VITEC is the fact

“The VITEC team has been with us throughout the process

that the IPTV platform is very flexible and allows us to easily

from design, deployment, to support since the Moody Center

adjust content throughout the Moody Center for any type

launch,” added Heath. “We had some hurdles along the way,

of event,” said Heath Adams, Director of Technology for

as you always expect, but VITEC has been a partner that

the Moody Center. “We host all types of events from major

works to find solutions and make sure our audiences and

concerts, comedy shows, Men’s and Women’s UT Basketball

sponsors are always getting the best experience from every

games, and various other sporting events. Moody Center has

display in the venue.”

it all and the VITEC system allows us to customise the video and signage content for every event.”

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Learn more about VITEC’s 2023 GreenPEG committment to sustainability at greenpeg.vitec.com

BUTLER ESPORTS PARK Indianapolis, USA Images: NewTek

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POPULOUS utler Esports Park, a state-of-the-art esports and innovation space, at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, opened at the beginning of the 2022-23 academic year. The approximately 7,500-square-foot centre serves as home for Butler’s varsity and club-level esports teams, as well as a communal gathering spot for students and the local community.

Populous, a world leader in esports design, designed the space for maximum flexibility, with its primary function as the home for Butler’s leading esports program, team training and broadcast production. In addition, it can be easily configured to host a wide spectrum of academic programming, special events, lectures and student gatherings.

“There was a lot of attention to detail in the design in order to gain maximum operational functionality

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of the space,” said Eric Kammeyer, Butler University’s Director of Esports and Gaming Technology. “Through our partnership with Populous, we have created an innovative and versatile space that will serve our esports teams as well as students and the community, creating more opportunities for them to excel.”

Populous is a global leader at the forefront of the fastgrowing esports and gaming industry. It has created esports venues such as Esports Stadium Arlington, Nerd Street Gamers’ “The Block”, G4tv’s Headquarters in Los Angeles, and the NBA 2K League’s Season 5 Competition and Broadcast Arena in Indianapolis.

“The Butler Esports Park will serve as a swiss-army knife for the university and the esports program,” said Populous Senior Principal and Esports Director, Brian Mirakian. “Its ability to specifically support highperformance skill development for collegiate esports

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and gaming, combined with robust content creation and broadcast production capabilities, and its infinite uses for events, academic purposes and community engagement, make it a valuable resource.”

The Butler Esports Park was designed to provide students and the local community access to the highest level of resources, technology and amenities. Upon entry, visitors are greeted by retail and informational displays, immersing them in the Butler Esports brand and providing content that showcases daily and upcoming events at the Park. The space opens into a coworking and lounge area with a mix of social seating, collaborative technology and gaming areas. It also features a café to serve students and the community on a daily basis and is a valuable amenity for special event usage.

The gaming arena floor provides a dynamic competitor and spectator environment, accommodating up to 60 gaming stations for everyday student use, varsity team training and premier collegiate competitions. The 034

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gaming stations feature an innovative ‘transformer’ design that can easily configure for various modes, and are situated in front of a stage that allows for multiple competition types, academic uses and industry events.

A high-end broadcast and production space supports gaming and content creation, but also is a critical resource for academic development and experiential learning. The Esports Park prominently situates leasable tenant space for leading esports industry organisations Beastcoast and Challonge, houses university office space, and flexible conference space for academic teaching and seminars. Positioned on the northeast side of campus, a new outdoor area serves to extend the social and event functions of the space, and connects the new structure to the rest of the campus.

Experience Matters Whether it’s an iconic venue like Wembley Stadium, training academy grounds, or a grassroots pitch, Musco’s sports lighting systems continue to be the solution of choice around the world. Our superior project management expertise, light control technology, system reliability and warranty, and special effects capabilities create unforgettable experiences for players and fans alike.

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NEWTEK Butler University is transforming into an epicenter for Esports - the state-of-the art facility connects members of the Esports community and broadcasts games using NewTek’s iconic TriCaster®, 3Play® and PTZ products.

Originally established as a student-led initiative in 2017, Butler University has helped foster its students’ passion for Esports and gaming into an opportunity for players to grow academically, competitively, and professionally. It has since transformed into a flagship location for the sport and one of the most competitive programs in the country with Butler’s varsity Esports teams competing in the BIG EAST Conference, in both Rocket League and League of Legends.

With the facility hosting live events and streams, it was necessary to have strong broadcasting production capabilities. Butler University chose the NewTek TriCaster® TC1 video production platform and NewTek 3Play® 3P1 sports video production solution, and three NewTek NDI®|HX PTZ2 cameras, which enabled the studio to extend its live production capabilities with 036

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ease.

“Our facility required adaptable livestream technology which was easy to understand and use. This was especially important given our efforts to host various livestream competitions while also providing students with hands-on production experience and learning opportunities,” said John Lacheta, Butler University’s Manager of Facilities and Operations. “The versatility of the NewTek production products was extremely attractive for this reason.”

Striving for the highest-quality production possible, the production team used the TriCaster® to connect and switch between the multiple cameras being used to film its competitions.

Additionally, all TriCasters are IP-enabled using the NDI® standard, which allows users to connect devices such as cameras, microphones, intercoms, and lighting through Ethernet cabling and provides two-way communication. The TriCaster® allowed the production team to easily connect and manage camera switching while improving the studio production efficiency.

H O S P I T A L I T Y

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“The flexibility of this system allows us to support a plethora of events of different shapes and sizes. The agility of the NDI® standard plays a massive role in how we can shift from classroom to open play and live event modes quickly and with intent,” Nathan Duke, Manager of Esports Programs and Facility Operations, Butler Esports, said.

“Given that we host so many high-profile Esports events, it was necessary for us to have the technology that could easily ingest a magnitude of virtual signals and tie them all into a network quality product for our fans and players. TriCaster® with NDI® did just that, all while not requiring an intense production setup.”

In addition to TriCaster®, Butler University used NewTek’s 3Play® sports replay production system to enhance the event atmosphere. Instant replays using 3Play® allows broadcasters to make smaller events more engaging and provide the appearance of networkstyle shows. The team was able to provide viewers with slow motion replays of the action and use the clips to easily create highlight reels at the end of the event, all at a fraction of the cost of traditional replay systems.

Jeremy Morris, Senior Sales Engineer for NewTek AMECS, and a Butler alumnus, provided the demo to the university and assisted the construction team on the initial design of the space.

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“It was a pleasure to be able to remotely demo our product portfolio to the Butler staff back in the initial planning phase of the project,” Jeremy said. “It allowed me to show not only the capabilities of the products, but how they integrate with other components required in the space to provide a seamless NDI® & Dante workflow and transition between use cases. I was able to then work with the design engineers to make sure the system flow met the needs of the client as well as the budget. Esports is an exploding market in video production and technology advancement and I’m excited to see where this new Esports facility can take us.”

NewTek products are already in use at the College of Communications at Butler, and with the addition of the Esports minor, the CCOM students now have the same equipment in each location. The Esports minor was launched in Fall 2021 within the College of Communication to build in-demand skills needed for success in the booming world of competitive gaming.

In March 2023, Butler hosted the first BIG EAST Esports championships at the Esports Park on the campus of Butler University. This selection represented another opportunity to showcase the University’s facility and to highlight the live production capabilities powered by NewTek.

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M Y KO N O S , G R E E C E | 7- 1 0 M AY 2 0 2 4

www.stadiasessions.com

30 VENUE FOCUS

AUDIO

EPOS & HOSPITALITY

042 Coopers Stadium | Adelaide, Australia

056 Gtech Community Stadium | Brentford, England

VIDEO

COMMUNICATIONS

048 Tropicana Field | St. Petersburg, USA

062 Race of Champions | Piteå, Sweden

052 WrestleMania @ SoFi Stadium | Inglewood, USA

AUDIO

COOPERS STADIUM Adelaide, Australia

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043

AUDIO

T

044

he world-class, multi-use Coopers Stadium in

required, a line array would have required too many elements

the South Australian city of Adelaide has installed

and thus impacted on-site lines and cost,” said Andrew. “A

a brand-new d&b audiotechnik A-Series system

point source would have been unable to give us the ability to

to enable clear speech and full spectrum sound as

control the levels at the balcony area versus the lower floor

it hosts games in the 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup.

so the d&b A-Series Augmented Array was deemed the perfect

The sound system upgrade was part of a wider AV

solution given those constraints.”

enhancement initiative, which saw new LED screens and

Four pods housing four A-Series loudspeakers each are

lighting in addition to improvements to its grandstands.

now installed at the stadium’s West Stand, driven by d&b

Adelaide-based audiovisual production and installation

30D amplifiers. Over in the East Stand, six pods are rigged

company AJS was tasked with designing an audio solution

containing three A-Series d&b cabinets. The A-Series system

that would deliver sonic quality, clarity and volume, and be

was designed using the d&b ArrayProcessing software, with

suitable for rigging within the existing stadium structure.

assistance from Doug Pringle at NAS Solutions and the d&b

The team required flexibility in both physical setup and

team in Germany.

acoustic control, with directivity and system unity key to

“Using d&b ArrayCalc software we were quickly able to

success.

calculate the number of cabinets required to obtain the

AJS Managing Director, Andrew Gayler, and his team landed

vertical coverage as well as the number of pods for the

on the d&b A-Series, which combines the ease of point source

stadium width,” Andrew continued.

clusters with the level and frequency distribution of line

“We then leveraged d&b expertise and took on board their

arrays, and flexible acoustic control in an augmented format.

recommendations to finalise the equipment schedule. The

The d&b system was supplied by NAS Solutions, which also

rigging proved challenging as there had never been a flown

provided support on the project.

audio system installed nor any consideration for having one

“With a modest 25m throw but an almost 90-degree coverage

at the time of the original structure build. We were fortunate

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that our project lead at AJS, Tim Bekker, was able to design a

pods and V7P cabinets are.”

bespoke assembly to suit the structure constraints and that a

Andrew recognised that the d&b ArrayCalc software is critical

local company was able to manufacture in a matter of days.

to all d&b system deployments, as it determines cabinet

“The d&b ArrayProcessing software makes a noticeable

location and inter cabinet angles. He could then feed this

improvement, especially in upper frequencies. Specifically,

information into the d&b R1 Remote control software, that

it enables a more linear front/rear SPL within the stadium.

enables d&b devices to be remotely controlled using both

This is d&b’s ‘democracy for listeners’ at play. We use

Ethernet and CAN-Bus, which in turn configures all of the

ArrayProcessing extensively on our live events and knew how

d&b amplifiers with a vast array of configuration settings

important it is to deploy.”

including the ArrayProcessing settings.

In the North and South Stands, the team opted for d&b V7P

“This meant all of the parameters are stored within the

point source loudspeakers, rigged high above the grandstand

amplifiers, and we use Q-Sys to handle routing to those

on 6.5-metre masts that are connected to the back wall.

amplifiers,” explained Andrew.

These are powered by d&b 40D amplifiers. And in the

“Even though we have deployed a vast number of d&b

revamped Corporate Boxes on the West Stand, attendees hear

systems, we often still reach out to NAS in Australia for

announcements, gameplay and music via 14 d&b 8S point

expertise as they in turn have worked on a plethora of these

source loudspeakers.

types of deployments. Ultimately, we are happy to draw on

“The most impressive feature of the A-Series is how effective

the expertise of d&b either locally or in Germany as they have

it is keeping audio off the pitch and how intelligible the audio

consistently guided us to achieve some fantastic outcomes.

is within the stadium, which was a key requirement,” says

We explain to our clients that we have this amazing support

Gayler. “The system easily exceeds the required SPL, and

behind us which we hope assists in building confidence to use

coverage is the reason for multiple cabinets and not output.

our local services.”

Our client had immediate feedback from regular patrons

Games are already being played in the stadium using the d&b

about how ‘crisp’ the sound was. We are also particularly

A-Series system. The 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup matches

pleased with how the system looks as most seemed unaware

kick off in July, with Coopers Stadium hosting five high-level

of where the audio was coming from given how compact the

games.

MANUFACTURER: d&b audiotechnik | DESIGN & INSTALLATION: AJS | DISTRIBUTOR: NAS Solutions 046

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Puskás Aréna, Budapest, Hungary

More than a match.

A great lineup of sound reinforcement technology. A customized look. The renown d&b Workflow. All this and world-class support from start to finish. d&b Stadium solutions are designed so that everyone wins. (We like to play fair.)

Discover more: dbaudio.com/sports-venues

The art of creative engineering.

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VIDEO

TROPICANA FIELD St. Petersburg, USA Images: digiLED

T

ropicana Field, located in St. Petersburg, Florida has been home to Major League Baseball team Tampa Bay Rays for 25 years. Recently, the stadium had a dramatic upgrade with more than 4,800 square

feet of brand-new high brightness LED displays, supplied by the LED screen experts digiLED. The main stadium is now dominated by three new giant 10mm VISION A LED screens, perfect for giving the 42,735 capacity crowd a close-up of the action. A further three screens are located in prominent positions throughout the venue using both digiLED’s 10mm VISION A and 1.3mm digiTHIN HD.

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VIDEO

When it was decided that the LED displays located in the

digiLED managed to hit the requirements precisely using

stadium were due for an upgrade, local media company Vū

their digiTHIN HD product. This enabled the venue to still

VR Studios recommended digiLED for their outstanding

show multiple images on one screen, whilst also being able to

reputation in the industry. digiLED were not only able to

display a single larger image.

upgrade the old screens with higher quality products but were

Joe added: “Even though the ballpark is covered, there’s still

also able to retrofit the new screens into the space where the

humidity inside, so we used our VISION A outdoor install

old ones were located, using some of the original fixtures.

panels. The real technological advancement was in the control

“We were invited to partner with Vū Technologies,

room - we used UHD 1.3mm digiTHIN HD LED screens to

supplying the LED video screens as they had the connection

replace the LCD screen array of monitors.”

to the Rays,” explained Joe Lapchick, Director Business

From start to finish digiLED worked closely with the team at

Development, digiLED. “They had to get new screens because

Tampa Bay Rays to ensure their vision was brought to life and

they ran out of spare parts and couldn’t get support from

to create a captivating experience that truly enhanced the fan

their previous supplier.”

experience.

The new displays were recently unveiled at the season-

“The new screens have almost double the resolution from the

opening game on March 30th, when the Rays took on the

previous screens, so it allows for better content and colour

Detroit Tigers. It was an exhilarating night, as the team won

accuracy for advertisers and the replay screen,” said Joe. “So

their first of 13 consecutive games – something that hadn’t

far, everybody’s loved the new screens and how much the fan

been seen since 1884.

experience has grown since it’s been installed.

Even though the screens are fully contained within the

“We are thrilled to have partnered with The Rays on this

stadium, it was agreed that the best choice was digiLED’s

project and we look forward to continuing to work with them

VISION A for the main displays due to the high brightness and

in the future. We are confident that our LED displays will

IP65 rating that it offers. This was important because of the

leave a lasting impression on their fans for years to come.”

high levels of humidity in the stadium when no games are

“The Rays partnership with digiLED has made the process

being played.

of upgrading the LED at the Tropicana Field effortless, their

Two of the smaller LED screens, located in the Rays control

expertise in the LED industry is truly unmatched,” said

room, required unique resolutions of 3456x1296 and 1152x648

Michael Weinman, Director, Tampa Bay Rays. “The stadium

as they were replacing an array of LCD monitors, something

now features cutting-edge technology and stunning displays

that has captured the attention of visiting MLB teams already.

that will help create an engaging atmosphere for our fans.”

MANUFACTURER: digiLED | WEBSITE: digiled.com

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VIDEO

WRESTLEMANIA @ SOFI STADIUM Inglewood, USA Images: © Troutfarm27

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nglewood, California’s 70,000-capacity SoFi Stadium hosted the 39th annual WrestleMania with a blockbuster two-night event enveloped in LED screens and scenic video technology driven by an army of Green Hippo’s Hippotizer™ Boreal+ Media Servers.

More than 161,000 fans witnessed WrestleMania over two sold out evenings, energized by high octane video content created by the WWE Media Graphics Department. The visuals were displayed on multiple entranceway LED Screens, custom Ring Post, Ring Skirt, and LED Barricade. All these screens were supplied by ScreenWorks, a division of NEP. Upstaging provided Saber LED batons – a double row LED effects product that borders truss and scenic elements. In addition, the SoFi Stadium In-house Infinity Screen and five levels of ribbon boards were also controlled by the Hippotizer Media Servers.

The massive amount of content meant that the visuals team required a media management system and powerful interface. A total of 16 Boreal+, two Karst+ and a further two Karst Media Servers were supplied by Upstaging, with Tony Thompson serving as Project Manager.

“The biggest challenges were sheer output and machine count on this show,” said Tony. “Hippotizer’s ZooKeeper interface for management of the machines is paramount - from being able to remotely monitor all the machines and configure from a remote machine, and then from the content management side. The robust DMX Control side of the Hippo is also vital for WWE, enabling the programmer/operator to be flexible, and have reliable cueing.”

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VIDEO

Christopher Keene, Hippotizer Programmer and Operator,

splice and place pixels in the proper locations that are needed

commented: “The sheer amount of content we are ingesting

for LED processors and to keep output count to a realistic

and syncing at WrestleMania means we must always have

amount. From the programming side – lots of use of inbuilt

something encoding, while playback cannot be interrupted.

effects, extensive use of Alpha transparency and layering to

I’m always amazed that the Hippotizers never skip a beat

allow for on the fly compositing for each element, without

while syncing and encoding.”

requiring custom content for every element.”

Christopher and the team loaded more than 500GB of content

“Hippotizer software is very user-friendly and the hardware

during the week of pre-programming for the event.

is roadworthy,” added Christopher. “The user-friendly

“Hippotizer processing allowed us to utilise 16 layers

nature of the ZooKeeper interface makes keeping the content

for every surface,” he explained. “We use a lot of layers

flowing and organized as simple as it can be. The folder/sub

because we like the flexibility of not having foreground and

folder system is also intuitive and clean.

background elements in the same file. We like to be able

“One of the main components of Hippotizer that we utilize

to place elements, and size and manipulate them ourselves

often is VideoMapper. A show as big as WrestleMania takes

instead of having the content creators have to re-render for

days to load in, and we spend a lot of time in pre-viz.

every little adjustment. This wouldn’t be possible without

VideoMapper allows us to display composites so that we can

Hippotizer’s solid performance and processing.”

effectively program before the screens are loaded in. This is

The Hippotizer Boreal+ Media Servers fed multiple 4K

imperative to getting the job done on time.”

outputs, with the Hippotizer Karst+ driving a single 4K

To control the Hippotizers, the team used a grandMA3

split out to 3G feeds. The Karst Media Servers were used for

console. “The connection between the two and the DMX

ZooKeeper only, to allow for local encoding in the system.

component is vital, enabling us to have access to all of the

Hosts Snoop Dogg and WWE star The Miz hosted, as a

Hippotizer features to manipulate the content and surfaces,”

total of 15 matches took place in the ring, live streamed to

said Christopher.

a worldwide audience at home in addition to the fans in

Working with the team were Rob Smith as additional

attendance.

Hippotizer Programmer, Danny Efkarpidis as WWE Content

“Hippotizer’s VideoMapper is one of the important elements

Design Lead, and Dan Longfellow and Clint Donaldson as

that we use,” added Tony. “To allow content to be created in

WWE Onsite Content Designers.

a realistic and native layout, and then for the Hippotizers to

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GTECH COMMUNITY STADIUM Brentford, England

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rentford Football Club, a renowned professional football team in the English Premier League, looked to enhance fan experience and optimise operational efficiency within their new stadium.

To achieve these goals, Brentford partnered with Kappture to implement their hospitality technology system. This case study examines the successful utilisation of Kappture’s system at Brentford Football Club, highlighting the key benefits and outcomes achieved.

Upon moving to their new stadium, Brentford Football Club adopted Kappture’s system to to help improve the fan experience and streamline operations. The implementation

Images: Kappture

included a total of 161 licenses, comprising 130 fixed terminals, seven mobile handheld payment devices, and 24 self-service kiosks “We are thrilled with the benefits that Kappture has brought to our stadium over the past three seasons, particularly the ease of use in our back office operations and the implementation of self-service kiosks in the concourses,” said Mike Morris, Technology Director, Brentford FC. “The Kappture system has significantly streamlined our processes, allowing us to focus on delivering an enhanced experience for our fans. The self-service kiosks have been a game-changer, providing our supporters with a seamless and convenient way to place orders and saving them valuable time during match days.

“Working with the Kappture team, we have consistently delivered market leading, agile solutions. We are pleased that

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EPOS & HOSPITALITY

our partnership has had a positive impact on our operations

pre-orders for half-time, giving the catering teams visibility

and fan satisfaction.”

into upcoming orders and allowing them to prepare in

Brentford Football Club implemented PAX handheld devices

advance. This dual functionality saves fans valuable time,

in their hospitality areas, transforming their waiter service

reduces waiting times, and improves overall operational

and elevating the overall fan experience. With the touch of a

efficiency.

button, waiters can seamlessly take orders from customers,

The Kappture system provides a comprehensive KPI

which are then instantly transmitted to the kitchen and

dashboard tailored for managers and directors at Brentford

bars for order fulfilment. This efficient process eliminates

Football Club. This dashboard offers real-time insights

the need for waiters to waste time returning to the bar

into match-day sales, enabling stakeholders to monitor

to submit orders manually, allowing them to focus on

performance, identify trends, and make informed decisions.

serving customers and providing a premium experience.

The ability to access vital information at a glance enhances

By leveraging the PAX handheld devices, Brentford has

operational agility and supports strategic planning for future

empowered their waitstaff to deliver prompt and personalised

matches and events.

service, ensuring that fans receive exceptional hospitality

The implementation of Kappture’s system at Brentford

throughout their visit.

Football Club has increased the fan experience and improved

To consolidate all stadium data into a single comprehensive

operational efficiency. The integration of self-service kiosks,

dashboard, Kappture seamlessly integrated with the Brentford

and real-time data analytics has empowered fans with a

FC stadium data lake. This integration enables real-time

wider menu selection, reduced waiting times, and increased

access to critical data, including sales figures and fan

overall satisfaction. Moreover, the quick KPI dashboard

preferences. The consolidated dashboard provides managers

and BI integration has enabled managers and directors

and directors with quick access to key performance indicators

to gain valuable insights into match-day sales and make

(KPIs) related to match-day sales, empowering them to make

data-driven decisions to optimise operations. Brentford

data-driven decisions and optimize operational strategies.

Football Club’s collaboration with Kappture exemplifies the

The installation of self-service kiosks in the concourses

successful utilisation of innovative technology to enhance fan

of the stadium has significantly streamlined the ordering

engagement and drive operational excellence in the sports

process for fans. These kiosks allow fans to place orders at

and entertainment industry.

their convenience and choose collection points, eliminating the need for lengthy queues. Moreover, the kiosks facilitate

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COMMUNICATIONS

RACE OF CHAMPIONS Piteå, Sweden Images: Riedel

R

ace Of Champions (ROC), a yearly international motorsport event featuring some of the world’s best racing and rally drivers, has now used Riedel’s solutions for over 12 years, beginning with radios and

transitioning to intercom communications across departments. This year, ROC used Riedel’s MediorNet, Artist, and Bolero systems to run communications for its second snow and ice track, located in northern Sweden just 100km from the Artic Circle. For yet another year, Riedel’s solutions have helped ROC reduce infrastructure costs, communicate clearly and quickly across teams, and provide on-site technical assistance.

“Beyond the Race Of Champions, many of us work with other largescale sporting events, so we are familiar with Riedel’s products

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059

COMMUNICATIONS

and use them on more than one project,” said Dominic

remained on-site during the event’s duration to offer setup

Oliff, Owner and Director of Operations at ROC. “Race Of

and support.

Champions has its own unique set of challenges — it’s very

ROC is the only competition in the world where stars from

dynamic, things change all the time, and communication is

Formula One, World Rally Championship, IndyCar, NASCAR,

absolutely key to that. You don’t realize the importance of

Le Mans, Rally X, and more, compete against each other,

communication until you don’t have it. Fortunately, we’ve

going head-to-head in identical vehicles. It’s a knockout

been able to bring Riedel’s experience and knowledge to this

tournament where drivers must demonstrate their skills

event, having the confidence that if something does go wrong,

by competing in a diverse range of vehicles across a series

they’ll have it solved within just a few seconds.”

of high-intensity elimination rounds. As a result, the live

With Riedel’s 10 MediorNet frames, ROC can transmit all

broadcast crew, track crew, drivers, and marshals all need

radio comms, video, audio, and other data over one fiber-

to be prepared for quick changes and update the rest of the

optic cable, making the workflow far more cost-effective

team.

and flexible throughout the whole venue. Additionally, ROC’s

“Race Of Champions has always been an incredible event,

Riedel Artist ecosystem includes 36 intercom panels and an

and Riedel remains eager to help them be their best over the

integrated Bolero system with 24 beltpacks and five antennas

course of our longstanding partnership,” said Marc Schneider,

to cover its whole organization. With six full duplex channels

Executive Director Global Events at Riedel. “It’s been a fun

per beltpack, multiple users can speak over the intercom at

ride, both literally and figuratively, and we’re happy that our

the same time, helping team members to quickly and clearly

solutions continue to help them work affordably, quickly, and

update each other. The Riedel Managed Technology team also

confidently.”

MANUFACTURER: Riedel | WEBSITE: riedel.net

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See us at IBC booth 10.A31

LIVE VIDEO PRODUCTION ALL-IN-ONE | REPLAY | CLOUD

VIDEO NETWORKS SDI | IP | HYBRID

INTERCOM

ALL STANDARDS | WIRELESS | IP

STADIA

CONVENTION CENTERS

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IN DETAIL 064 Bose | PowerShareX 066 Absen | A99 LED Perimeter Display 068 Christie | Griffyn Series 070 Bendac | Impakt

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BOSE PowerShareX owerShareX adaptable amplifiers are an ideal match for Bose Professional sound systems. Onboard DSP gives you instant access to optimised loudspeaker presets.

ControlSpace Designer software allows for quick configuration. And proven Powersoft technology ensures you put every watt to work.

Choose from three models: PSX1204D, PSX2404D, and PSX4804D. Each networkable, four-channel amp offers innovative power-sharing flexibility, peak power capability, Dante connectivity, and much more — all in a space- saving 1RU design.

And easy integration with Bose Professional DSPs, loudspeakers, and the entire ControlSpace ecosystem makes design, configuration, installation, and operation much simpler — so you can get the job done and move on to the next.

P

Key Features - Power-sharing technology dynamically allocates power evenly or asymmetrically across outputs without having to bridge channels or lose channel count when powering Bose Professional loudspeaker.

- Bose Professional certified presets and ControlSpace Designer integration delivers the best performance, loudspeaker protection, and visibility of the entire Bose Professional system from a single UI for easy design, configuration, control, and monitoring 064

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- Proven Powersoft reliability ensures the systems operate every day, mitigating non-billable service calls - Flexible outputs capable of handling either low-impedance (2, 4, 8Ω) or high-impedance (70, 100V) loudspeaker loads - Built-in Dante audio supports up to four digital input channels from a Dante network eliminating the requirement of or- dering and installing an accessory network card - Four analog inputs provide line-level source connections - PowerShare Design Tool is a downloadable design tool that allows system designers the ability to choose their PowerShare amp and simulate the power-sharing capability that, in some cases, can lead to a lower-power model require- ment and cost savings - GPIO connections provide a remote level, on/off, and alarm triggers - Network monitoring provides real-time system performance data, minimising downtime, guesswork, and unnecessary service calls - Rack-friendly 1RU design that is only 358 mm (14.1 in) deep eliminating the need for oversized racks - Universal switch mode power supply with power factor correction

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ABSEN A99 LED Perimeter Display oday’s major sporting events have become global spectacles viewed by millions, with fans of football, cricket, rugby etc travelling internationally to visit stadia all over the world and experience these events. When it comes to display solutions and with fans focussed on the experience, the in-stadium kit and suitability of the LED chosen is paramount.

The fast-paced on-field action must be matched by high-quality performance screens capable of rapid image switching for quick-paced high-definition broadcast as well as creating the perfect environment for the attendees on site. Central to the viewing experience for both attending and remote fans, the pitch-side perimeter displays play a pivotal role in providing high quality imagery and advertising content.

Focused on providing unequivocal reliability and impressive image quality, Absen continues to be recognised as an LED supplier providing the key requirements for the world’s most watched sporting events.

Fulfilling its impeccable reputation in sport LED products, the A99 stadium perimeter display offers a superior solution to meet the needs of sporting stadiums, built to the most stringent technical standards for the industry.

T

LED with its eye on the ball Most recently the A99 was the chosen LED display product for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, recognised as the world’s single most viewed and followed sporting event. The A99 could be spotted across the eight World Cup stadia by attending fans or by the billions of global live broadcast audience. To fulfil the demands of this world leading sporting event, the Absen A99 assures visual performance, stability and reliability as well as convenience and safety making it the ideal product to function in such a demanding environment.

Designed to be viewed by millions, the Absen A99 Stadium Perimeter LED Display boasts excellent visual performance thanks to its key features incorporated into the display. The pixel pitch of 6.25mm/10mm results in high-quality, crisp images for visibility throughout the whole stadium and for broadcast viewers. The display is designed to be adaptable to the stadium environment with low 066

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brightness control and high grayscale, the display and video effects remain excellent even when brightness levels are lowered to less than 20% of output. This provides consistently high-quality visual performance for outdoor or indoor siting, day-time, night-time, and in sunshine or cloudy rain conditions.

With sporting events being broadcast more than ever, the LED needs to perform for both fans at the stadium and those watching from home, with a effective viewing experience over broadcast. The A99 has a high refresh rate, allowing for smoother motion of images for a cleaner viewing experience. Additionally with high contrast ratio and wide coverage of colour gamut, the LED can produce deeper blacks and allows for precise colour reproduction to accurately display brand and team content the way it is intended to be seen to audiences all over the world. Stadium cameras are able to capture these high-quality pictures at all angles with the A99’s by the 160/130-degree super wide viewing angle.

Unparalleled match fitness The sporting environment is demanding and like the athletes, display performance is needed come rain or shine, able to face the physical challenges of the action-packed stadium environment. The A99 has stability and reliability built in, the waterproof 6.5mm and 10mm panels feature alongside IP65 water-protected power boxes, and parallel data and power connections to ensure that any fault will not affect the operation of the modules. The displays go through Football impact tests, simulating how the LED could come in contact during gameplay, to ensure the product remains stable no matter what may happen on the pitch. Should an essential repair be necessary, Absen’s A99 is ready. Simple front or rear replacement is quick and easy with modules fixed by minimal screws.

Furthermore, the A99 has undergone rigorous impact testing, satisfying its suitability to its intended environment. Tough on the inside, the A99 is outwardly softened for player protection with protection pads around the panel and a soft front mask.

POWERED BY ABSEN LED EXPERTS IN GLOBAL SPORTS APPLICATION

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CHRISTIE Griffyn Series s stadiums and large-scale sporting venues around the world strive to elevate the fan experience ever higher, venue operators are being challenged to captivate their audiences with increasingly engaging methods.

One way to form an engaging centrepiece at sporting events is to transform the all-important playing surface into a dramatic focal point with the power of projection mapping. It’s possible to map onto ice surfaces, basketball courts, and stadium surfaces to bring any venue to life with eye-catching content. The video content can be as varied as spectacular introduction sequences, animated player profiles, and promotion or sponsor marketing and engagement – enhancing the atmosphere and opening up greater messaging possibilities.

Enter Christie Griffyn The Christie® Griffyn Series of RGB pure laser projectors is specifically designed for use at sports venues and other challenging large-scale environments requiring high brightness and the color accuracy of an RGB laser light source. It can illuminate any surface in native 4K resolution with up to 50,000 ISO lumens, while running on singlephase power for exceptional energy efficiency.

Pick your power Available in two brightness models – the 4K35-RGB and 4K50-RGB – the Griffyn Series is designed for high-impact performance to illuminate any large-scale screen or surface. Solid-state RGB pure laser projection offers several advantages over laser phosphor illumination, including 25% longer life, and uses individual red, green, and blue lasers to produce the most dynamic range of color available today.

The flagship Griffyn 4K50-RGB produces greater than 98% of the Rec. 2020 color space—more than twice the color of Rec. 709, the standard in other projection technology, and 50% more than DCI-P3 capable projectors providing a superior audience experience with more vibrant real-world colors. With the Mirage option, Griffyn 4K50-RGB can achieve frame rates up to 120Hz at 4K resolution for smooth, sharp, fast-motion video. Both models weigh less than 200 lbs. and are among the lightest and brightest in their respective classes.

Adding the Mystique Griffyn is bolstered by two additional software packages – available at no extra cost – to help integrators deliver on their projects. With Mystique™ Lite camera-based alignment software and an inexpensive

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supported webcam, up to three Christie projectors can be blended in a single horizontal projector array on a flat surface or screen with the click of a button, saving time and money. Additional Mystique editions are available to enable more complex installations, facilitating unlimited numbers of projectors and custom screen shapes and surfaces.

Managing remotely with Conductor Christie Conductor is an advanced monitoring and control solution for up to 256 Christie 3DLP projectors on the same network. Conductor allows users to perform a wide range of tasks remotely including auto power on/off, access to interrogator logs, diagnosing and resolving issues, and performing firmware updates and health checks, all from the comfort of a laptop.

Design evolutions The Griffyn Series also features the new TruLife+ ‘all-in’ electronics platform that has every connection built-in, including a Christie Terra SDVoE connection, to eliminate the hassle of removable option cards.

Griffyn is Christie’s first projector series to offer new electronic color convergence (ECC), giving users the ability to select red, green, or blue individually and adjust each color by remote control, for easy image alignment that saves time and money, whether the installation is on the ground or in the air.

Its compatibility with most Christie 4K lenses allows Christie partners to reduce costs by reusing existing lens inventory. Single phase power further reduces ongoing energy costs and simplifies installation, and sealed optics ensures reliable performance, with a 3-year parts and labor warranty for peace of mind. Rounded out by its lifespan of 25,000 hours to 50% brightness, it delivers both a strong return on investment and high-end performance.

Up your game Designed with unrivaled engineering expertise and projection heritage, and trusted by projection mapping pioneers, Christiepowered projection mapping is used at elite events around the world. The award-winning Christie Griffyn Series is ready to deliver the visual punch to light up stadiums and sporting venues for a truly unforgettable fan experience.

Raising the bar for RGB pure laser projection

Pure laser. Pure performance. Pure excellence christiedigital.com/griffyn

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BENDAC Impakt endac, a renowned leader in LED technology, has once again set new standards in the industry with the launch of their latest product, Impakt. This upgraded perimeter LED technology is poised to revolutionise the market with its state-of-the-art features and visually stunning design.

Impakt is available in a range of pixel pitches, from 6.6mm to 10mm, providing flexibility for customers to choose the optimal resolution for their specific requirements. It also delivers exceptional visual quality and clarity. With a 7,500Hz refresh rate and a wide viewing angle of 160/120 degrees, Impakt guarantees smooth and vivid visuals from every angle, engaging audiences from every seat.

This carefully crafted product has user convenience in mind, ensuring that regular maintenance and repairs can be carried out effortlessly, minimising downtime and maximising productivity. Impakts rear service capability allows technicians to access and repair the LED panels without hassle, eliminating the need for complex disassembly and ensuring seamless servicing. Bendac’s commitment to userfriendly features is also evident in the quick removable power supply unit (PSU) and power distribution unit (PDU) of Impakt. These components can be easily detached for maintenance or replacement, further reducing downtime and streamlining operations.

The use of an aluminium profile in Impakt brings about a significant reduction in weight without compromising on strength. This breakthrough design element not only enhances portability (also supported with the inclusion of wheels), but also contributes to

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increased durability, making Impakt a reliable choice for sports applications.

To ensure perfect alignment, Impakt is equipped with a self-leveling spring mechanism. This feature adjusts the panel height to achieve precise alignment, eliminating any irregularities in the display and delivering a seamless viewing experience.

Impakt is one of the slimmest perimeter products on the market, with a sleek and slim profile of just 84mm. This slim profile means that it takes up less space and creates a visually cleaner pitchside system.

Additionally, the Impakt is a more sustainable choice for clubs, with an average power consumption of just 300W/m2. This means that not only is it visually stunning, but it is also more environmentally friendly. Bendac’s commitment to sustainability is evident in the Impakt’s design, which contributes to reducing the carbon footprint of sports organisations. By choosing the Impakt, venues can reduce their energy consumption and lower their environmental impact without compromising on performance or visual quality.

Bendac’s latest offering is a testament to their unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of LED technology. With its market-leading features, visually stunning design, and impeccable performance, Impakt is set to revolutionise the industry and provide a new standard for perimeter LED displays.

For more information about Impakt and Bendac’s extensive range of LED products, please visit: www.bendac.tech or contact info@bendac.tech

ADI European Clubs Turn to ADI for Stadium Upgrades Ahead of New Season or over 32 years, ADI have been providing world-class stadium solutions to football clubs across Europe, ranging from the Premier League and Bundesliga, to the EFL and SPFL. As it stands, their state-of-the-art LED technology sits within 54 football stadiums worldwide, while they also run the full matchday production at 28 of those. It doesn’t look like there is any slowing down either, as the Preston-based company have been commissioned by more than 15 European football clubs to deliver a range of stadia upgrade projects this summer, in preparation for the upcoming 2023/24 season.

Clubs from the Premier League, Championship, League One, SPFL, Eredivisie and Eerste Divisie have all partnered with ADI to digitally enhance or transform their stadiums ahead of the new campaign, with the project details for Southampton, Aberdeen and Mansfield already revealed.

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The influx of projects in recent months underpins the growth of the business, but also the shift in mentality towards fan engagement and maximising revenue streams through in-bowl digital displays. It is not just in the UK either, with four Dutch clubs choosing ADI to revolutionise their stadiums following a recent European roadshow.

Aside from their expertise in LED and content creation, it is ADI’s unprecedented end-to-end solution that adds the most value to their customers – a service which cannot be matched by anyone else in the market.

Unique End-to-end Service What separates ADI from the rest of the field is their unique ability to manufacture, install and maintain the LED technology, as well as create and manage the content that goes to the displays in real-time – all of which can be achieved remotely from their in-house production galleries via a Live Venue Broadcast

Network.

Discussing the process, Head of Engagement Claire Fitzgerald-Firth said: “People only usually see the end result, but these projects are months, sometimes years, in the making and consist of an in-depth consultation process.

“Naturally, they all begin with an initial conversation, where our commercial, creative and operational teams come up with innovative concepts and ideas that provide a solution to the problems our client currently has.

“Once a brief has been agreed, we move onto the manufacturing phase, where all the bespoke drawings and specifications are brought to life in intricate detail. Every screen is custom-made for that specific installation – there is no one size fits all.

“It is then passed over to our engineers who will oversee the structural work and installation.

Meanwhile, the Systems team will lay the fibre network and connectivity to enable the content

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delivery.

“Rigorous testing of the hardware then takes place, with content created and tested in all different formats and resolutions. If the club has opted in for our matchday production services, this is when our relationship just gets started, as we work with them to deliver the most visually engaging and immersive matchday experience possible.

“All our technology comes with a service and maintenance package that guarantees longevity and cost-effectiveness, and ties into our ambition to provide world-class customer service for our clients.”

Unlocking Engagement and Commercial Opportunities with LED The main reason why football clubs choose to digitalise their in-venue signage is to maximise the breadth of fan engagement and commercial opportunities that LED can offer - a key driver for the 15 clubs undergoing digital makeovers this summer.

From a matchday experience perspective, clubs are having to be more creative than ever to entertain their fans through content, from the moment they take their seat to the moment they leave.

ADI CEO Geraint Williams commented: “Anybody can go out and buy large-format LED screens and have them installed into a venue, but it is the vibrant, creative content being delivered to them that brings them to life.

“We’re seeing an increasing number of clubs turn to us for a full matchday production service because of the huge value that our creative teams can bring from a content perspective.

“Fan engagement is becoming more and more important to the wider matchday experience.

Generating an immersive and interactive experience inside the stadia bowl is what makes supporters keep coming back and that is something that our new clients are invested in.”

“Commercially, we’re helping lots of clubs unlock their potential, both on a local, national and global scale – our work at Burnley FC is a perfect example of this.

“Our screens and digiBOARD perimeter solution gives clubs a stadium-wide platform capable of promoting various brands at the same time. This then allows a club’s commercial team to expand their advertising and sponsorship inventory due to the increased advertising space available and when all the displays

are used together in a Total Stadium Takeover, it can be an extremely powerful activation.”

European Roadshow The first leg of ADI’s European Roadshow saw them travel across the Netherlands visiting professional sports clubs, culminating in four new deals being won. Partnering with Azerion - a leading digital entertainment and media platform – ADI’s second leg is set to commence in October, where they will visit clubs in Germany and Belgium.

The Tour is being done in a state-of-the-art, airconditioned pod kitted out with a host of ADI’s latest interactive digital platforms and gives clubs the unique opportunity to see engage and interact with the technology in their back yard. Workshops, live demonstrations and Q&A sessions are also part of the collaborative 90-minute session, with an informal lunch rounding things off at the end.

For more information, visit www.roadshow.adi.tv. If you would like to book the Tech Tour to come to your venue, please email claire.fitzgerald-firth@adi.tv.

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Southampton Football Club Ahead of the Championship season, ADI installed two large-scale digital platforms for Southampton Football Club, as they look to transform the look and feel of St Mary’s Stadium.

After a consultative process, The Saints chose to bring in stadia transformation specialists ADI to replace the existing 33.5 square metre screens in the Chapel

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and Northam stands and upgrade them with two superwide 72 square metre displays that feature ADI’s new proprietary MTX technology.

The decision to upgrade to a 10mm 32:9 display and move away from the traditional 16:9 format will provide additional content zones for in-game club communications, brand activations and live match feeds – all of which can be displayed simultaneously.

BRINGING NEXT GENERATION VENUE TECHNOLOGY, DIRECT TO YOU! WHAT TO EXPECT?

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?

We’re bringing live, interactive demonstrations featuring amazing tech, incredible digital screens and signage, and awesome content.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

We’re showcasing the latest integrated stadium digital solutions.

All fully self-contained in ADI’s iCONIC X POD that we’ll setup in your venue carpark in under an hour.

WANT THE ROADSHOW TO VISIT YOUR VENUE? REGISTER NOW AT ROADSHOW.ADI.TV

We’re asking for around 90 minutes of your time – that’s less than a match of football.

Typically the target audience is: Head of Commercial | Head of Partnerships | Head of Operations | Head of Facilities | Head of IT | Head of Design and Content | CEO / CCO / CFO

More than a match.

A great lineup of sound reinforcement technology. A customized look. The renowned d&b Workflow. All this and world-class support from start to finish. d&b Stadium solutions are designed so that everyone wins. (We like to play fair.)

Discover more: dbaudio.com/sports-venues

The art of creative engineering.

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06.10.2022 13:26:10