MONDO | STADIA - Issue 27 - December | January

SPARTAN STADIUM

ADI

THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION FOR TECHNOLOGY IN SPORTING VENUES

LIVERPOOL 2022

transform the ACC Liverpool into a spectacular sports venue for the World Gymnastics Championships.

MVM DOME

An in-depth look at the technology installed at Europe’s largest handball arena in Budapest.

Michigan State Spartans’ home undergoes at complete audio revamp, courtesy of Fulcrum Acoustic.

SANTIAGO BERNABÉU STADIUM

A preview of the Daktronics LED halo display system that will be unveiled at the home of Real Madrid in 2023.

WELCOME

It’s the final issue of the year before we head into 2023 - and we’re delighted to feature a whole host of state-of-the-art sporting venues showcasing incredible design and uses of technology.

Our cover story is the home of NHL’s Minnesota Wild, Xcel Energy Center, which recently installed a new reinforcement system based around Meyer Sound’s PANTHER large format, line array loudspeakers. In fact, it’s the world’s largest PANTHER install to date.

We’ve taken a closer look at the incredible setup at the World Gymnastics Championships 2022. ADI completely transfomed the ACC Liverpool into a world-class, visually-stunning sports venue. Definitely one to check out on page 20.

Over in Budapest, we’ve taken a deep dive into MVM Dome - Europe’s largest handball arena. With technology from the likes of Outline, Pharos and Robe, it’s a really impressive project.

Elsewhere, there’s a feature on Michigan State University’s Spartan Stadium, where Fulcrum Acoustic have put its AHS series to the test and passed with flying colours.

Looking ahead to next year, we’ve got a preview of Daktronics’ LED halo system that due to be unveiled at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

For Team Talk, Bendac’s Founder and Managing Director, Ben Da Costa has given us some great insight into the fast-growing company, with new projects and services planned for the new year.

Finally, I hope you all have a great Christmas. See you in 2023!

Sam Hughes Editorial Director

Cover Image: Luke Schmidt

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 Printed By Buxton Press WWW.MONDOSTADIA.COM

BEN DA COSTA CO-FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR, BENDAC

Seven years ago, David Da Costa and I set up Bendac to take LED display solutions to the next level. The business was grown to be more than just a sales operation – our vision was to have engineers, project managers, account managers, and more. With our state-of-the-art UK showroom, located in the West of England, it allows the whole Bendac team to deliver a customisable, hands-on approach in creating LED solutions.

We always believed this was the right way, especially when you have clients spending a huge chunk of budget on LED displays without ever seeing the technology or meeting the team that will be installing it. For the sports industry in particular, it’s something that we feel is vital. Everything else within the industry is precise and focussed on the marginal gains when on the pitch – and that’s how we want to help clubs and sporting venues approach it off the pitch, too.

So, that’s why we’ve always invested in our team. We pride ourselves in being innovators of technology, providing full turnkey

solutions to enhance venues. From design and manufacturing, all of the framework, shipping the products, expertly installing them, offering maintenance and support, right through to even producing the content – it’s all done in house, from concept to completion.

COVERING EVERY STEP OF THE LED VISION

To breakdown what we provide within our full turnkey solution, from a design point of view, we offer a digital auditing service, which will involve us visiting a sporting venue and taking a look at what digital assets are there already. We take an in-depth look at what a club has and help them to work out if it is fulfilling the needs of the venue itself. It’s not just a case of providing new LED screens. If they have great LED technology already, we know that we can assist in the making the most of it – and that’s something that a lot of our clients really appreciate.

From there, we move onto the design, in which we take on a brief from a client and deliver the perfect solution for the LED displays – and

that includes the framework, cabling, power and data infrastructure. We can do a content management plan, too, looking at integration between screens, for example. Other software the club is running can also be taken into consideration - whether it’s ticketing or the shop, for example – we will look at taking that information and displaying it on the screens. We then manage the whole manufacturing process and carry out extensive testing on the kit. Once it’s ready, we’ll look at the logistics and ensure the products arrive safely. As part of the process, our engineers, overseen by our installation leads, will get the framework and infrastructure in place for a full Bendac installation of the designs that the client has signed off.

Once the LED displays are in, on some projects, we will also provide content. This could be in-bowl animations in relation to the on-pitch action or abstract visuals for hospitality areas. We have designers in house that deliver the content based on what the client needs around the venue.

Finally, we have our maintenance and support,

Images: Bendac

Innovators of Visual Technology

which is carried out by the same engineers that have installed the system. We have two service level agreement options - Prevent and Unlimited. The former is an annual service with remote support, while the latter offers a callout option, which guarantees an engineer there within 72 hours, or 24 hours with an upgraded package. We also offer match-day operations services, too, which we do at the likes of Glamorgan Cricket Club.

A YEAR OF GROWTH

It’s been a full year of trading since the last COVID restrictions eased – and Bendac grew quite significantly during the pandemic, so we targeted 2022 as a year to get more projects off the ground. We’ve really grown our engineering resource as part of this. We’re doing a great job in winning projects, so we really wanted to ensure we have the right level of resources to fulfil those on time and on budget – something that we really pride ourselves on. However, while this was definitely a big year for Bendac, we’re going to be even busier as we head into 2023.

PROJECTS AND PARTNERSHIPS

There are lots of different projects going on for the Bendac team. For Bath Rugby, we refreshed some of the existing assets to keep offering that enhanced match-day experience for the fans. Then, over at Home Park for Plymouth Argyle,

we’ve completed a big infrastructure project, which involved moving seats to make room for a big LED display.

We also have the digital revamp at Stamford Bridge, which is being completed in line with Chelsea’s plans to deliver more than just a 90-minute experience on match days. It’s not just replacing existing assets, which we did for the club at the back end of 2020 through to 2021, as the club are now focussing on what can be done in the F&B and hospitality areas of the stadium. They want fans to come earlier than just ten minutes before kick-off, so it’s about providing the experience that makes them want to be there. We’ve provided displays throughout the concourse and hospitality areas, enabling the club to entertain fans with the early or late kick-offs, depending on when Chelsea are playing.

We’ve announced our new, two-year partnership with Gloucester Rugby, too, with Bendac set to feature on the front of the team’s European shirt. That’s part of a branding campaign as we look to expand our services beyond the UK and grow into the Irish and French market. We’re doing some great work in the luxury markets in Netherlands and Turkey, but we want to push the brand even further in Europe.

FUTURE PLANS

As mentioned earlier, we’re still doing work at Stamford Bridge, with the team working right up until Christmas, so more will be announced after the World Cup break as the club take its fan experience to the next level.

Another area we’re really excited about is our focus on the perimeter displays. AFC Wimbledon is our existing perimeter client, though we’re now in serious discussions with two more Football League clubs.

As opposed to some of the more traditional methods of either having an outright purchase or having to take on media rights, so the clubs don’t get the full revenue, we’re proposing a solely leased model, in which the clubs can have it as a monthly expenditure. They maintain 100% of the revenue from the advertising –there is just the cost of the actual perimeter display from Bendac. That’s what we’ll be looking to launch soon, so watch this space!

LED AND THE FAN EXPERIENCE

Sport is having to get a lot smarter than just LED screens in stadiums that show the score, or showing that a goal or try has been scored.

If that’s all clubs are using LED for, then it’s

certainly not worth the investment, in all honesty.

As is often mentioned, fan experience is the key to it all. It’s not just a buzzword or passing fad – when fans are paying money for a ticket, they are entitled to ask what is being provided for that cost. Now, with more and more America executives moving to UK and European clubs, we’re seeing the NFL, NBA and NHL-style influence on the venues. It’s very much the bigger, brighter and bolder, the better in terms of display technology. Beyond that, it’s asking what the fan is expecting in terms of information. Is it more detail and statistics on players? Can the messaging and visuals really impact the atmosphere? This is now all being considered – and changing the way LED displays are seen as part of that experience. You just need to watch the World Cup in Qatar – you’ve got dugouts covered with LED displays showing graphics, team names, branding and so on. The sport industry is getting really creative with it, and Bendac want to be at the very forefront of that – delivering the right technology, enhancing the experience for the fans and offering a return on investment for the clubs that work with us.

bendacgroup.tech

FULL TURNKEY LED DISPLAY SOLUTIONS

From conceptual design and planning, through to installation and commissioning, our expert teams work in unison to create turnkey solutions that push the boundaries of LED Display technology.

Game day is more than just the game itself; it’s the atmosphere that keeps the fans coming back. At Henderson, our designs enhance the fan experience, offering an immersive, memorable game day unlike any other. It’s why teams from the NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS, and NCAA trust us to design their state of the art facilities.

XCEL ENERGY CENTER

The National Hockey League’s Minnesota Wild recently installed a new reinforcement system built around 96 Meyer Sound PANTHER large-format linear line array loudspeakers in their home arena, Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul. Supplied by Sound Associates of Yonkers, New York, the world’s largest PANTHER installation to date debuted on November 1 when the Wild defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4–1. “We are highly impressed by the way our new Meyer Sound system delivers clear and uniform sound distribution to fans throughout the Xcel Energy Center,” said Minnesota Wild President, Matt Majka. “No matter where you are sitting in the arena, the improvement in audio quality is undeniable. Feedback from event attendees has been tremendous. We are extremely pleased with our decision to install a state-of-the-art system to heighten the experience for our fans.”

The new Meyer Sound system replaced an ageing point-source system that was installed when the arena, which has a capacity of around 18,000 for hockey, was first opened in 2000.

Images: Luke Schmidt

Minnesota, USA

“What we had was a low bid system with old technology,” explained Jim Pfitzinger, the IATSE Local 13 Engineer who has mixed Wild games since the arena opened and who was a key consultant on the upgrade project. “Top team management had heard systems at newer arenas and noticed the difference. Our old system was still intelligible and serviceable but it lacked real impact. No matter how hard you flogged it, you could only get so much out of it.” When funding became available in the spring of 2022, management asked Pfitzinger to fast-track a new, stateof-the-art system that would be equal to or better than any other NHL arena. Pfitzinger quickly consulted with Domonic Sack of Sound Associates on possible options at a time when industry supplies were tight. Some makers could not commit to delivering the preferred products on the tight timeline, but Meyer Sound was able to fit the Wild project into their production schedule. In only 11 days, the entire system was wired, hung, and tuned, just in time for the first Minnesota Wild game with the new system.

Bob McCarthy, Director of System Optimisation at Meyer Sound, takes up the story: “Dominic at Sound Associates was asked by the team at Xcel Arena to submit a design proposal, so he contacted me to help create a Meyer design. “I was told that the venue wanted a self-powered, lightweight system, so that they don’t have amp racks flying in the ceiling, as well as that they also wanted the ability to fly the system up and out for touring events and down for service. Another key request was full range coverage for the whole seating area, along with minimal leakage into the press box level and a separate system for ice coverage for the player warmup.”

Pfitzinger added: “Dom had just heard Meyer Sound’s PANTHER demo in Las Vegas and said he was convinced it was the right solution for this arena. We wanted line arrays with a small footprint to stay clear of touring rock shows, plus low power consumption and reduced weight. Powered speakers were high on the list as we had literally tons of amplifiers and copper cables in the ceiling and we couldn’t

You asked for a lighter, more powerful line array. How about

You know what you want in a line array. And now, we’re giving you more than you ever thought possible. Introducing PANTHER. Over 150 decibels at only 68 kilograms and 97 centimeters wide. Exactly what you asked for—turned up a notch.

You spoke. We listened. And then we went wild.

take them out until the new system was up and running. Also, everything had to go up and down on the motors. On all counts, PANTHER fit the bill — and Meyer Sound could deliver!”

Regarding performance, Domonic Sack sketched out the goals: “The idea was to minimise reflections, increase intelligibility, extend effective frequency response from 40 Hz up to 16 kHz, and with headroom to keep the system running at 20 percent - maybe 40 percent maximum at peak impact.”

Using the MAPP 3D system design and prediction tool, the design particulars were worked out by Sack in consultation with McCarthy and Design Services Supervisor, Alex Harbaugh. As installed, the system comprises eight hangs of 12 PANTHER loudspeakers, all with the 80-degree L horn. Potent bass power is projected uniformly throughout the

space from dual hangs of nine each 1100-LFC low-frequency control elements in cardioid configurations. The entire system is networked for control, monitoring, and audio signal using the Milan AVB protocol, with redundant analog backup.

Two other key members of the project team were Metropolitan Interactive, responsible for the rigging design, under the guidance of Jeff Mele; and Geiger Engineering, responsible for assuring the structural integrity of all rigging points. Members of IATSE Local 13 were charged with the final rigging and flying of the system.

“The response to the new system has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Pfitzinger. “I now have no problem lifting announcer Adam Abrams over the crowd noise when before he was often buried. Now it’s effortless. Nothing ever sounds pushed or distorted. It has clarity and impact, yet even when

the music is up you still can carry on a conversation. And there is an incredible difference in the voice quality and clarity of the referee microphones.”

McCarthy explained that the install wasn’t without its issues: “With supply chain challenges, the install was pushed back a few weeks from the original goal, but otherwise, it was super smooth throughout with everyone working together.

“Overall, the staff are super happy with the new Meyer system. They are having to remaster all their old tracks – because now they can hear them super clearly! Announcements are super clear and the press folks are happy about the reduced leakage up there. The players also love the ice coverage, too. So, it’s been a huge success all round.”

The fan experience in Wild games was the overriding consideration in specifying a PANTHER line array solution,

but the system will be used for dozens of other events throughout the year, including high school and collegiate sports tournaments, an annual rodeo and skating shows, plus special events and large-scale meetings associated with conventions in the adjoining convention center. Although the system is not hung effectively for end-stage rock conferences, portions of it could function as delays or B-stage systems, according to Pfitzinger.

The Xcel Energy Center is owned by the City of Saint Paul and is operated by the Minnesota Wild under a long-term lease agreement. Xcel Energy Center is part of an expansive campus of event, entertainment, and meeting venues that also includes Saint Paul RiverCentre convention facility and

The Legendary Roy Wilkins Auditorium.

WORLD GYMNASTIC CHAMPIONSHIPS 2022

fter nine action-packed days of competition, The World Gymnastics Championships

ALiverpool 2022 drew to a close with FIG President, Morinari Watanabe, hailing the 51st Championships as an event that ‘turned gymnastics from sports to entertainment’, and ‘the start of the new gymnastics scene’ In his final address.

Event technology specialists ADI were pivotal to this transformation, working closely with the Organising Committee to design and deliver innovative presentation solutions, dazzling LED displays, vibrant content and interactive elements across the Arena, Fan Zone and Athlete’s After Party.

On the floor, the level of competition also reached new heights, with Great Britain’s men’s and women’s teams claiming an impressive six medals between them and, in turn, surpassing their best-ever World’s medal haul.

ADI worked collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders – World Gymnastics, British Gymnastics and Liverpool City Council - to deliver an event that that will be talked about for many years to come.

Spectacular Opening Ceremonies

ADI, who delivered the Festival Sites to the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games earlier this year, were chosen to be the Championship’s Official Event Presentation Provider. The Preston-based company were tasked with managing the full production of the opening and daily ceremonies, from concept through to delivery.

Images: Harry Elliott

Liverpool, England

Creative discussions commenced long before the event took place, with ADI’s Sports Presentation team collaborating with Terri Lynam, Creative Director of World Gymnastics Championships, to agree on an achievable but highly ambitious brief.

The focus was for Merseyside’s cultural elements to be blended into each of the ceremonies to celebrate the vibrancy of its people and generate atmosphere inside the arena. Interactivity and audience involvement was another goal. With all of that knowledge ADI conceptualised solutions that would bring the brief to life.

“Our ambition was to create an unforgettable experience for spectators by combining the sporting elements with engaging digital activations and creative performances across the Liverpool ACC site,” Lynam said.

Having established an understanding of what the federation was trying to achieve, ADI’s in-house Studios team began creating content, while ADI’s Sports Presentation Manager Richard Hale storyboarded the ceremony performances.

ADI decided to weave Liverpool’s flourishing music scene into each of the ceremonies, with up-and-coming Liverpoolbased singer Pixey kicking off the Championships in style. Her energetic performance, combined with the vibrant LED displays and creative content around her, lit up the M&S Bank Arena and set the tone for the rest of the event.

As part of the daily pre-competition shows and in the build-up to the gymnasts entering the floor, ADI delivered synchronised light shows through the official WGC2022 Live app, which over 70,000 people engaged with over the nine days. ADI had customised their QGlo smartphone feature for the event,

which utilises ultrasonic audio triggers. When the lights were lowered and the music played, the torches on the audiences’ smartphones flashed synchronously with the beat of the music, which meant that the devices could be held aloft inside the 11-000 capacity venue to create a truly spectacular in-bowl atmosphere.

Lynam was delighted with the final product. Reflecting on the ceremonies, she said: “ADI’s vast experience in delivering spectacular sports presentation, technical infrastructure and ceremonies all came together to create an unforgettable show for spectators and augmented the live competition taking place.

“Together we turned the sport of gymnastics into entertainment and showcased the dynamism of the athletes in a completely unique way, bringing the fans closer to the action and immersing them in the show with the likes of QGlo – the inclusive and collaborative delivery is something I am very proud of.”

Transforming the Venue

Hailed as the event that changed the landscape of World Gymnastics competitions, ADI’s experienced production team brought new concepts to the arena during the busy competition schedule.

Stuart Campbell, COO, World Gymnastics Championships Liverpool 2022, was determined to add innovation and creativity into this year’s competition, and believed a digital revamp of the venue would provide that.

“We set the ambitious target to be the best ever World Gymnastics Championships by focusing on key delivery areas

across all client groups with an emphasis on athlete and spectator experience,” Campbell said.

“Focusing on innovation and creativity, we have proudly set a new bar for future editions of this Olympic qualifying world championships.

Utilising the breadth of in-bowl showpiece LED platforms, on-site producers, camera operators and live screen mixers delivered live feeds, competition standings, official timings, event information and educational content – and incorporated the world’s first delivery of British Sign Language on screen for the duration of a sports competition.

A spectacular LED athlete’s entrance, digital signage on the judges’ tribunes and an additional super wide display broadcast carefully coordinated content that inspired and informed the audience, while helping transform the look and feel of the arena.

The LED and content provision were combined with engaging presenters to create a high-octane live spectator experience, and encourage crowd participation at key points in the competition schedule.

Campbell lauded ADI’s contribution to the in-bowl transformation.

“We chose to work with ADI due to their strong reputation in delivering creative event elements across the sport industry and beyond,” he said, “as well as aligning with our sustainability commitments being located within 90mins of the competition venue.

“ADI gave us instant access to a team of specialists, who understood our ambitious visions and worked collaboratively with our team to innovate and enable us to deliver world-class standards.

“Their use of LED technologies, vibrant content and live acts transformed the look and feel of the M&S Bank Arena, and set the tone for what was an incredible nine days of international Gymnastics, but also a unique entertainment experience.”

Interactive Fan Zone

ADI activated a number of bespoke interactive experiences inside the official Fan Zone for visitors to engage with. Across nine days, it received more than 18,500 visits with over 2,500 people experiencing the interactive digital wall.

Hosted inside the Liverpool Exhibition Centre, adjacent to the M&S Bank Arena, it offered a space for collective celebration.

World Gymnastics Championships Ambassador and former gymnast Beth Tweddle MBE said: “The Fan Zone in particular was incredible to be a part of, there was so much for kids to get involved in.

“For children who have never done gymnastics, it was an opportunity for them to have a go and wherever they live around the country, they can go home and find their local club.”

Positioned at the entrance point of the Fan Zone, ADI’s LED wall gave visitors the chance to pose for photos alongside popular GB gymnasts Joe Fraser and Alice Kinsella, in front of an animated flag of their home nation, or even dance to the sounds of LIMF musicians - all of which fans could select from an iPad.

Aside from providing the hardware and connectivity, ADI also delivered full concept design and content production, with their Studio’s team filming and editing the athletes and musicians.

A digital podium was also a popular spot for pictures, and multiplayer mobile gaming, delivered in partnership with video game experts Piing, was available for some light-hearted competition. The innovative gaming solution has been purposely built to allow a stadium-sized crowd to participate and play a shared game at the same time on their smartphones, without the need to download an app.

For Tom Taylor, ADI’s Head of Sales, creating immersive and interactive

“The vision was to make the vistor’s journey to the 2022 World Gymnastic Championships world class. We wanted the city’s culture to form the basis of the event experience, both inside and outside of the venue, and ADI were the key to achieving that.”

Jen Falding, Strategic Lead Sports Events, Liverpool City Council

experiences for everybody to enjoy - not just the avid gymnastics fan - was a huge part of the delivery.

“The bespoke content we created and delivered across the different canvases was innovative, but also educational. We knew that not everybody attending the Fan Zone would have lots of knowledge about gymnastics and for a large percentage it would probably be their first experience of a live gymnastics event, so the space had to be built for all types of visitors. We wanted spectators to leave having had a brilliant experience, but also knowing more about the sport.”

Journey to the Venue

In the modern day, spectators hold an expectation to be entertained from the moment they arrive at the venue to the moment they leave, and therefore fan activation solutions have become a fundamental part of any elite sporting event. It was something that Jen Falding, Strategic Lead Sports Events at Liverpool City Council, was keen to get across in the early discussions.

“The vision was to make the visitor’s journey to the 2022 World Gymnastics Championships world class, “ Falding explained. “We wanted the city’s culture to form the basis of the event experience, both inside and outside of the venue, and ADI were the key to achieving that.”

With that in mind, ADI deployed a number of digital applications outside of the venue. Floor art and digital LED totems featuring Liverpool’s best up-and-coming musicians were in place to create a warm welcome for ticketholders on arrival, and further celebrate the region’s diverse range of talent.

Mobile LED screens from ADI’s iCONIC fleet were also in position across the ACC Liverpool complex, where they broadcast sponsor videos, event branding and other colourful, engaging content.

most exciting up-and-coming musicians.

“ADI also made the Fan Zone uniquely digital and immersive, deploying lots of interactive applications for visitors of all ages and nationalities to engage with.”

A Sport-Changing Event

The monumental success of this year’s event marks the beginning of a new era for World Gymnastics – one where the spectator is placed at the heart of the occasion.

For ADI, the end goal was always to deliver creative solutions that would transform the look and feel of the ACC Liverpool complex.

The key to achieving this was being in constant dialogue with the client and key stakeholders leading up to the event. By working with all parties many months in advance, it enabled ADI’s multidisciplinary team to have creative input.

The end product speaks for itself. Vibrant LED displays, creative content, dazzling ceremonies and bespoke audience involvement solutions came together to create something special.

For ADI’s Richard Hale, who led on the sports presentation elements, it was the perfect project for ADI to showcase themselves.

“Being able to manage the full production of the ceremonies, content and LED screens, we were able to put our own stamp on the event. That is so important for us as creatives,” he explained.

“It makes a huge difference when we are involved at the event conception stage because we can bring our engineers, technicians, project managers and producers into the conversation.

“It’s not often that we get handed that level of creative freedom, but when we do, the results are really impressive. “It was rewarding to see all of our concepts and ideas being enjoyed by so many people inside the arena and at home. The feedback has been extremely positive and it proves that we have the power to deliver massive sport-changing events.” COMPANY: ADI | WEBSITE: adi.tv

Falding added: “Their digital platforms and custom screens created unique spectator experiences and showcased our long, proud musical history perfectly by working with our city’s

MVM DOME

Budapest, Hungary

Images: Outline, BE LIGHT!, AVL Trade, Louise Strickland

he MVM Dome is one of the largest multifunction venues in Europe and Europe’s largest handball arena. With a seating capacity of over 20,000, it was designed by famous Hungarian architect Mr. György Skardelli, built by Market PLC and handed over at the end of 2021, just in time to host the 2022 European Men’s Handball Championships.

As reported on the arena’s official website, the facility boasts innovative spaces and versatility in layout arrangement as well as unique architectural features.

Hungary’s largest and most modern multifunctional event hall is suitable for large-scale concerts, shows, family entertainment, corporate events and exhibitions thanks to its special building management solutions, cutting edge sound, lighting and visual technology.

The brief received by audio contractor Budapest-based ZAJ Systemhouse Ltd was to ensure extremely high intelligibility, 106 dB SPL and even coverage throughout the venue, including the seating and playing field areas.

The stadium’s rig comprised a total of 48 Outline Stadia enclosures (twelve ‘100-10’, twenty-six ‘100-20’ and ten ‘10030’), sixteen STSUB 215 subwoofers and a GTA (Grand Touring Amplifier) powerhouse.

Tamás Fazekas, ZAJ CEO and Founder, stated: “We proposed the [Outline] Stadia rig as one of the world’s highest quality sound systems specifically engineered for stadium sound, therefore the most suitable for this project, and the company’s reputation was sufficient to ensure its acceptance without any real competition.”

Two years passed from when the first design was drawn up to the definitive version and, during that period, the client’s

requirements evolved and expanded, resulting in one of the most versatile multifunction venues, as well as one of the most modern.

However, thanks to the Stadia system’s flexibility and efficiency (although each cabinet appears to be a point source at first glance, in fact it is an array combining four of Outline’s famous road-proven Mantas modules in a single unit with Outline’s patented D.P.R.W.G. waveguides), expectations in terms of system performance were exceeded in spite of the change in the set-up’s format. This was also achieved thanks to Stadia’s very long throw and exceptional directional control.

As on many other prestige projects, Outline’s powerful OpenArray 3D software ensured a high-precision preview of the acoustic results that were effectively obtained once the rig was in place.

Fazekas enthused: “The system was very well-accepted and is working fine. We are very happy and satisfied with the sound

quality and measured parameters which are truly excellent, and this project once again confirmed our belief in the supremacy of Outline audio products.

“This is a very high prestige project, as the Outline system amplifies one of Europe’s largest and most modern arenas, so this reference opens the door for such large-scale projects with Outline as the manufacturer and Zaj, as designer and integrator worldwide.” As well as a venue for a wide array of indoor sporting events, the hall can also be configured to host concerts, conferences, exhibitions and trade shows, making it an important part of Budapest’s entertainment offering.

The building’s façade is inspired by the anatomical drawings of Michelangelo; designed to conjure up images of skeletal muscles. This striking look is enhanced at night with the clever use of dynamically changing, specially created lighting.

The vibrant, flowing lines of light swirl across the entire façade, dividing the surface of the building into a variety of planes, slices and shapes. These geometric fragments then serve as windows in certain positions, while the steel cladding, which is powdercoated in two shades of grey, plays a key role in the optical resolution of the building mass.

The lighting and control system has been designed, supplied and programmed by BE LIGHT! The system is unusual in its approach; with the lighting fixtures hidden in the façade’s mantle to strengthen the architectural character of the arena.

BE LIGHT! were brought into the project by architects Közti Zrt, along with interior design house MCXVI Építészműterem Kft, and electrical engineers Hungaroproject Mérnökiroda Kft. BE LIGHT! chose solutions from Pharos Architectural Control to deliver dynamic control of the lighting scheme.

BE LIGHT! required a DMX protocol communication system for the RGBW fixtures, assigning 11,328 digital addresses to the

façade alone so the luminaires could be controlled individually. They designed a distributed control solution using multiple Pharos Designer LPCs (Lighting Playback Controllers). The compact LPCs are positioned within the façade to provide local DMX to the fixtures, and networked together to still act as one seamless, cohesive control system. A total of twenty-one LPC 1 and fifteen LPC 2 were required for the façade, and a further six networked LPC 1 were distributed inside the Dome to control the lighting in the arena and public areas. The LPC is the perfect choice for this type of installation, providing a flexible and reliable control system and allowing dynamic, precise and fully customisable pre-programmed lighting to be created.

Additionally, two Pharos Designer TPS (Touch Panel Screen) units were installed so staff could override scheduled programming and directly select both the decorative lighting and the sports lighting looks at the MVM Dome. The TPS offers a customisable touch screen user interface that lets users create multiple pages of lighting controls for the Pharos Designer system. Ádám Kis, Head of Control System from BE LIGHT!, said: “The architecture of the MVM Dome is truly stunning, and we were delighted to be appointed to deliver the lighting scheme to

accentuate this. By using innovative control solutions from Pharos, we have given the venue a flexible and dynamic lighting system that can easily be adapted to suit the differing needs of the arena.”

Mark de Gruyter, Regional Sales Manager for EMEA at Pharos Architectural Controls, commented: “The MVM Dome is a very impressive venue, attracting global talent across sport, entertainment and music. It is very rewarding to see Pharos solutions playing a key role in the success of their events, ensuring the arena can deliver fantastic results for the thousands of visitors attending each year.”

The adjustable sports lighting is suitable for HDTV broadcasts of high-level world competitions, as well as super slow-motion recordings thanks to the flicker-free technology. The lighting system also plays an integral role in the successful staging of events and concerts, as it controls the auditorium colour

temperature as well as delivering dynamic lighting. When used for a show, dynamic effects such as flashing or running light can be presented based on a pre-written programme. This also means the hall can change its function through the lighting control system, which is something of a unique solution in European venues.

Since its official opening, the MVM Dome has a full line-up planned, featuring sporting events and concerts from music legends such as Tom Jones and Michael Bublé.

BC Place Vancouver, Canada

MVM Dome Budapest, Hungary Image: © BE LIGHT!

Arena Națională Bucharest, Romania Image: © Power Electric SRL

A substantial Robe moving light rig – over 350 fixtures – was specified for the MVM Dome.

The Robe lights were specified by Visual Europe Group (VEG), the building’s technical management and services specialists, working in close consultation with Budapest-based AVL Trade which supplied the fixtures. The first event staged in the spectacular looking venue was the 2022 European Men’s Handball Championship Final, won by Sweden.

Most of the Robe luminaires – including 64 FORTES, 64 Tarrantulas, 64 MegaPointes, 120 Tetra2 moving LED battens and four FORTE FollowSpots together with four RoboSpot remote follow systems – will be in use in the main arena space. They were used to great effect by lighting designer, Attila Lenzser, for

the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the Men’s EHF Euro 2022 final.

Adam Nagy, Project Manager for AVL Trade, explained that the package also included 32 Robe LEDBeam 350s and 16 Robe ProMotion moving projectors which are destined for use in other parts of the building, like the extensive foyer spaces, conference suites and VIP lounges.

VEG approached AVL Trade already knowing that they wanted to use Robe for the show lighting elements following excellent experiences with BMFLs and other Robe products on numerous events including the acclaimed 2017 FINA Aquatics World Championships which were staged in the Hungarian capital. Due to the high trim height of the trussing mothergrid in the

MVM Dome’s roof, they needed the most powerful fixtures available, and chose FORTES, Robe’s massively bright, new gen LED TE technology luminaire, launched last year for stadium and large venue / event applications.

Unique to Robe, the TE (TRANSFERABLE ENGINE) is a powerful, intelligent, and eco-friendly lighting solution enabling different engines – high powered, high CRI, ‘tungsten’ etc., – to be used in the same fixtures. The engines can be changed quickly and easily in five to seven minutes.

The MVM Dome lighting spec featured as much LED as possible for all the obvious reasons including to be as sustainable as possible and to minimise running costs, but an exception was made for MegaPointes, arguably the most popular multipurpose effects moving light worldwide.

“MegaPointes were an absolute ‘must have’,” explained Adam. “They were a non-negotiable part of the spec!”

The show rig is designed to be movable and adaptable within the arena, with enough dynamic units for all incoming concerts / music shows and other performance productions, so they can use the house rig as often as possible.

The lights were all delivered at the end of 2021 and installed ready for action at the Men’s Handball Championship in January.

Challenges included “meeting all the deadlines and working within pandemic rules and regulations,” commented Adam, adding that the timing of the decision to add a complete show lighting rig for the venue made the schedule super-tight. “We booked the fixtures immediately after we received the confirmation and collaborated closely with VEG and Robe’s sales and technical teams – who were amazing – to make it happen,” elucidated Adam.

Visual Europe Group has over 20 years’ experience in technical design and implementation of AV for high-volume and high-profile events.

Their CEO, Szabolcs Botond, commented: “To implement the lighting technology for the European Handball Championship 2022, our company found these Robes to be the best for our customer, and in cooperation with AVL Trade, we were able to provide the MVM Arena with a futureproof lighting solution and equipment.

“The successful European Handball Championship hugely satisfied everyone involved which proved we made the right choice and provided the best solution for our customer’s needs.”

Attila was delighted to be the first person to light a show in the new venue and use all the new Robe lights, having been asked onboard for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies after working with the organisers on several other events including those FINA opening and closing shows.

The FORTES proved fantastic for gobo’ing the entire arena floor and as the main lights; the Tarrantulas washed the audience areas plus the main arena, while the MegaPointes and Tetra2s were installed on the top trusses all around the ceiling of the arena, following its oval-shaped space. For the Opening Ceremony, some of Tetra2s were also used around the floor.

The biggest lighting challenge for both OC and CC events was the compressed timeframe available for the creative teams to work their magic, as all their rigging, programming, blocking, and rehearsing had to dovetail with games and the regular team practices as well as the protocol rehearsals, related to both covid and working in a brand-new venue!

However, the results – broadcast live – were eye catching and spectacular, helping to ramp up the excitement and anticipation.

Attila has used Robe products in his work for many years, but this was the first time he had used FORTES. “It is a great fixture in every aspect – fast and strong – and I totally enjoyed working with them. I think I have a new favourite!”

Robe’s CEO Josef Valchar concluded: “It is fantastic to see a project specification like this come to fruition so quickly and positively in spite of all the challenges. We are extremely proud to have a Robe house rig in this very prestigious and beautifully designed new venue, and look forward to seeing many lighting professionals enjoy using some of our latest technologies for a busy schedule of spectacular concerts and sporting events.”

heard but not seen

compact

SPARTAN STADIUM

Spartan Stadium, home to the Michigan State Spartans, was constructed in 1923 at a cost of $160,000 – equivalent to over $2.5 million today – with a seating capacity of just 14,000.

Michigan State University occasionally leases the venue for concerts and sporting events, including a hockey game between Michigan State and Michigan that held a world record for the largest ice hockey crowd in history.

Since its opening, the stadium, nicknamed ‘The Woodshed’, has undergone significant upgrades, including changes to the playing surface, modern video scoreboards, stadium-wide lighting, and an increase to a total capacity of 75,000.

Spartan Stadium has recently been revamped once more, with the audio system being the focus as part of a $4.1 million capital improvement plan by the university to adapt to changing code requirements and maintain a first-rate experience for fans.

Images: Fulcrum Acoustic

Michigan, USA

Washington Professional Systems (WPS), a national audiovisual technology integrator, was enlisted to complete a series of large-scale audio system enhancements at Michigan State University’s venue.

WPS was selected by Michigan State to demolish the aging audio system, as well as engineer, programme, and integrate a new, distributed audio system. The audio system, designed by Jack Covert’s team at Anthony James Partners, provides coverage for the bowl seating and concourse areas of the stadium and includes a series of Fulcrum Acoustic AHS steerable arrays, US221 subwoofers, and AH65 coaxial horn loudspeakers powered by amplifiers from Powersoft and QSC. Signal processing is handled by QSC Q-SYS Core 110F and Core 8 Flex DSPs with touch panel integration for system control and monitoring. The “head end” system is connected via a Dante network and allows for interoperability between equipment with near zero latency.

Rich Frembes, Senior Technologist at Fulcrum Acoustic, takes up the story: “The existing system had reached the end of its anticipated service life and the venue were looking for some new audio technology.

“Anthony James Partners made visits to the Fulcrum factory to discuss the new stadium steerable system. From there, they had enough confidence in the experience and creative forces, and could see what our capabilities were. We were the only ones with the product that can do exactly what we were saying it could do.”

Discussing the project at Spartan Stadium, Rich furthered: “A lot of speakers had to go into a two existing scoreboards that had very limited space to work with. The scoreboard is divided up into four or five levels inside, and we only had approximately two-and-a-half metres in height to work with, so we had to pack a lot of horsepower into that limited height profile.

“It’s 750ft from the south scoreboards, where the AHS loudspeakers are installed, to the far north end zone seats, so a long throw was needed. Plus, we had to match the seating

profile of the stadium, too. The east/west clusters also had to cover from 10ft above field level to 113ft, which is the top of upper deck.”

The AHS series was the perfect match for Spartan Stadium, as it’s specifically targeted at applications where very high output and precise pattern control are required. The AHS’ configurable vertical pattern allows dispersion to be tailored to a venue’s needs. Its modularity allows it to scale as needed to tackle very long-throw applications, such as those encountered in stadium end-zone/scoreboard deployments. Additionally, its compact size allows the AHS to be integrated into congested scoreboard structures.

The AHS440 (45° horizontal beamwidth) utilises four highfrequency horns, each paired with a coaxial compression driver. The AHS460 (60° horizontal beamwidth) uses three high-frequency horns. Both models incorporate four highpower 10” woofers loaded by Oculus phase plugs. The Compression Head extends the low frequency horn length, allowing for low frequency extension to 60 Hz in a modest 28” of depth. Frontal dimensions are a compact 36” wide x 31” tall.

Fulcrum Acoustic’s TQ processing combined with beamforming DSP algorithms configure AHS vertical dispersion to match a venue’s specific geometries and throw distances. Multiple HF horns combine coherently to provide the output necessary to combat HF air loss, which can be substantial in stadium-scale applications.

“The ability to shape the coverage of the system and match the seating areas of the stadium resulted in a remarkably consistent coverage,” Rich added. “One of the things we would do for the demonstration is to start at the far end zone and just have people walk all the way up to listen to some music – and you just wouldn’t perceive a change in level like you’d expect.”

Jack Covert, Senior Design Engineer for Anthony James Partners, stated that the new audio system at Michigan State’s Spartan Stadium is “one of the best sounding systems in all of college football.”

Keith Neubert, Executive Director of WPS, was in full agreement: “The system clarity, even at the highest outputs, is currently unmatched and we’ve been able to eliminate any hint of feedback from the input sources. Our team and partners have delivered a first-class audio experience that fans will enjoy for many years.

“The demands of athletic departments to increase attendance and maintain high levels of fan engagement are greater than ever. The expectations for excellent audio and video lead the charge in enticing fans to return to in-person events on the tail of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Michigan State has made significant investments in recent years to bolster the fan experience through audio-video technology and Spartan Stadium is clearly on the forefront of

this evolution.”

WPS also replaced the entire audio cabling with all-new fiber optic cabling infrastructure and installed an ancillary analog audio system that interfaces with the existing fire alarm system for egress announcements during emergencies. The main audio system is designed to mute entirely during an emergency and immediately switch to the ancillary system for emergency broadcasts.

WPS tested, tuned, and commissioned the newly-integrated Fulcrum Acoustic system ahead of Michigan State’s first home game of 2022 at Spartan Stadium against the Western Michigan University Broncos on September 2nd, which the Spartans won 35-13.

INSTALLER: Washington Professional Systems | CONSULTANT: Anthony James Partners | BRANDS: Fulcrum Acoustic, Powersoft, QSC

MEMORIAL STADIUM

Clemson, USA

ith a capacity of 82,500, Clemson’s Memorial Stadium required a weatherproof audio system that delivered high performance and intelligibility throughout the venue. That was at the top of the mind when it came to the choice of Adamson Systems Engineering’s E-Series and Point Series loudspeakers for the project by Anthony James Partners (AJP), who designed the sound system and a new centrehung scoreboard into which the very first custom, weatherproof Adamson E15s loudspeakers are incorporated. With a broad range of loudspeakers, including a dedicated install line, and a track record for creating products that stand up to the rigors of touring, Adamson were the perfect choice, according to Jack Covert, Director, Audio & AV Design Engineering for AJP: “I think Adamson is coming on very strong on the install market.”

Home to the Clemson Tigers football team, Memorial Stadium, popularly known as ‘Death Valley’, has undergone numerous expansions since it was constructed in the early 1940s. The most recent of which - Phase 1 of the EastZone project - began in 2020.

“They’re a football dynasty,” explained Stephen Morris, President of C.V. Lloyde Audiovisual, the integrators on the project, adding that the system had to be capable of not only reaching the expected SPL, “but also having the headroom to get over crowd noise.”

“We knew coming in we had to throw over 750 feet to the other end of the stadium and that it was going to take big audio to do that,” Covert noted. “Knowing Adamson has a history of

Images: Adamson Systems Engineering

touring behind them and is well known for covering large venues and stadiums, I started looking at them for this project.”

In all, the system consists of 32 Adamson E15s, 16 E219 subs, and 4 Point 15s as fill speakers, all driven by Lab.gruppen amplifiers (24 D200s and 2 D80s).

Given the placement of the Adamson rig, weatherproofing was critical. “The loudspeakers are flanking the scoreboard on the left and right,” Morris explained. “There’s speaker mesh and cladding, but they’re out in the elements. It’s South Carolina, so they’re not going to see too terrible a winter, but they will get rained on.”

“We had to put environmental equipment racks in the scoreboard to house the amp racks, but we also had to make sure the loudspeaker devices were capable of withstanding the weather,” Covert added.

Beyond Adamson’s ability to provide a custom solution to ensure that was the case, the degree of care they took in doing so was impressive.

Covert continued: “One of the things Adamson does that’s a bit unique is weatherproofing inside and out. They don’t just put a coating on the outside like some manufacturers do. They actually get inside and make sure the cones and the hardware are treated appropriately to withstand weather. Adamson did a great job with that. They understand the importance of it, and I think that comes from their touring experience; from getting out and seeing how well their products take a beating.”

C.V. Lloyde has done a variety of projects with AJP in recent years. When it came to the installation, they partnered with local AV integration company South Carolina-based Musicraft

Systems who had a pre-existing relationship with Clemson. It was a challenging proposition, Morris furthered: “We had to rig, test, and aim each array of E15s and the E219 subs in stages. So you’ve got one shot, and you’re working on a tight timeframe. I’m very proud of the whole team for staying on the clock and getting the work done while meeting the performance needs of the system.”

“I’ve known some people at Adamson for a long time,” said Covert. “People I’ve worked with on other projects with other products. I chatted to them early on about this, and that’s where I arrived at using Adamson’s E15s for Clemson. They were able to produce the amount of power we needed to get the audio the length of the stadium as well as the highquality audio that you get from Adamson. I’m extremely happy with the performance of Adamson and will use it without question as long as the product suits the project.” Morris and C.V. Lloyde also have a lengthy history with Adamson and a high degree of respect for the company and its products. While it was AJP’s choice to use Adamson, he maintains that the suite of loudspeakers deployed was an excellent choice for Clemson.

“Again, we’re throwing over 700 feet. At the end of that throw and at different distances within that throw, you can really hear the musicality as well as the intelligibility of the system. There were no compromises. The Adamson loudspeakers didn’t break down in any of the bands at the levels required to reach the end of the bowl. The uniformity of SPL and sonic performance in every band was very impressive. I can say, when you talk about this size of the room, Clemson is the best sounding NCAA stadium in Division 1, bar none.”

MANUFACTURER: Adamson Systems Engineering | DESIGNER: Anthony James Partners | INTEGRATOR: C.V Lloyde Audiovisual

DIVE IN

ADAMSON FLETCHER MACHINE

The Adamson Fletcher Machine is an audio rendering processor offering incredibly simple operation with highly efficient spatialization tools, with hardware models offering 32, 64, or 128 inputs and outputs. To learn more about the Adamson Fletcher Machine visit our website at www.adamsonsystems.com

Don’t miss us at: ISE 2023 | Jan 31 - Feb 3 Booth 7F200

SANTIAGO BERNABÉU STADIUM W

hen fans head to the home of one of the most valuable sports teams in the world, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, they will witness a new match-day experience beginning in 2023. It won’t just be Real Madrid FC on the pitch or the shared cheers for the team. It will be the new video displays in a halo formation above the pitch that will be supplementing the event and building the atmosphere that is so important to the live action.

Sitting or standing in their seats, the Real Madrid faithful will have more than 3,700 square meters of LED video displays to please their eyes. The rectangular shape of the halo mimics the shape of the field below. The display is mounted along the inside of the structure and angled down toward the seating areas. On the outside of the halo, 10 additional displays will face outward to ensure every fan in every seat receives the same amazing visual match-day experience.

“Thanks to this agreement with Daktronics, the new Santiago Bernabéu Stadium will have iconic advertising devices with the highest quality and technology available that will allow us to offer a unique experience to our fans and visitors through the contents,” said Enrique Uriel, Real Madrid CF IT Director. This feat is not completed without proper planning, including years of preparation from the initial decision to upgrade the stadium, the concept and design imagined, the feasibility determined and engineered, and finally the manufacturing and installation of the LED technology. Discussions began back in 2016 as the teams involved in the project began looking over concepts and possibilities for the future.

The research and planning included key team members traveling to multiple other world-renowned stadiums to analyze what

Renderings: Daktronics

Madrid, Spain

each stadium’s technology delivered to the overall experience, how it helped create a unique atmosphere for their sports teams and fans, and to receive a first-hand look at the technology. Ultimately, the halo configuration was selected for the new visual centerpiece of the stadium.

“In the process of deciding what design to implement, many iterations and ideas were considered and vetted, analyzing different existing projects, before moving forward with a 360-degree halo,” said Ivan del Rio, Daktronics Regional Manager. “With this LED display configuration, the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium will be at the forefront of technology and at the same level as the best stadiums in the world. These video screens will serve Real Madrid CF to offer unique experiences both in its football competitions and in the other multiple uses of the stadium in the future.”

The halo configuration consists of two sideline displays, two goal end displays and four corner displays, all on the inside of the structure. The two displays along the inner sideline of the halo will each measure 6.58 meters high by 114.12 meters long while the two inner goal end displays each measure 10.97 meters high in the center of the display by 52.69 meters wide.

The inside corners of the halo will each feature a freeform ProPixel stick display to curve the corner and deliver an uninterrupted continuous view of digital content. Each corner display will measure 6.60 meters high by 16.53 meters wide and curve around the inner corners of the halo.

The inside corner displays will feature 25-millimeter pixel spacing and all the other displays on the halo will feature 13HD

pixel layouts to deliver excellent image clarity and contrast to audiences in every seat.

The 13HD displays are capable of variable content zoning which allows each to show one large image or to show multiple zones of content. This content can include live video, instant replays, up-to-the-minute statistics, graphics and animations, and sponsorship messages.

While the halo will be the centerpiece of the visual presentation at the stadium, a ribbon display will also be mounted to the seating fascia as part of this project. It will feature a 13HD pixel layout and measure between 0.74 and 1.10 meters high by 491.47 meters long. This display can show supplemental information and graphics to the halo while also providing the opportunity to highlight sponsors throughout events. Between the halo and the ribbon display, fans will be surrounded in digital content that will create a desirable match-day atmosphere that can only be experienced by being inside the stadium.

Beyond the main football sporting events, the stadium will leverage these digital displays to enhance the experience at special events and other functions that bring people together in Madrid. They can brand the stadium for additional sports, corporate events and more by switching content at a moment’s notice to deliver the desired messaging as needed.

As fans and audiences arrive earlier and stay later at live events, digital signage and technology such as this being featured at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium will keep them engaged and entertained through every minute of the event.

Daktronics | WEBSITE: daktronics.com

BRAND:

EXPERIENCE THE Excitement

Daktronics displays are engineered for industry-leading visual and operational performance. Our product features top-quality, high-brightness LED technology to deliver exceptional color depth, contrast level and viewing angles driven by Daktronics proprietary processing to optimize image detail, colors and motion clarity.

To learn more, visit us at Daktronics.com/Sports

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Austin FC - Q2 Stadium

Accor Stadium

Columbus Crew - Lower.com Field

NATIONALS PARK A

Washington, D.C., USA

Images: SHH

ward-winning Interior Design and Architecture studio, SHH, collaborated with OPX in delivering a game-stopping redesign of the Club Level at Washington D.C.’s Nationals Park, home to the Washington Nationals baseball team. The stadium first opened in March 2008, in Navy Yard, an area that has become the fastest-growing neighbourhood in the city, south of the United States Capitol and along the riverfront. The club space refurbishment encompasses the entry and lift lobby area, lounges and several catering facilities within the space. The design brief was to upgrade the club’s interior by making it more inviting and interactive and also for supporters to feel more engaged. To that extent, a new dedicated space for celebrating the team’s awards and achievements was designed

with glass display cases, highlighting the team’s memorabilia, as well as a prominent display case to host the World Series Trophy, which the team won in late 2019.

Natural materials have been selected for the entrance and lift lobby area, oak timber slats dress the corridor walls and ceilings while rich and warm tones have been applied to add warmth by creating associations to the team’s distinct red colour code

The same lounge area is also used throughout the year to host a number of non-game day events such as conferences, balls and banquettes, so the design requirement was for it to remain flexible and to transition easily between different types of events.

The quality of lighting was an aspect to be addressed, as the

lounge lacked the necessary ambience and mood setting to satisfy the requirements of both day and evening events. The design team upgraded the current window façade, which runs along the perimeter of the stadium, with a series of new monitors, keeping fans visually engaged with the action of the game. Giant circular pendant lights were also carefully positioned to drop elegantly against the, adding sophistication. SHH also designed series of enhancements to the Nationals food and drink outlets within the lounge areas, which included the offers of bar, pizza, the grill and grab and go. SHH worked closely with the F&B team in-house to improve the food offers by increasing the back of house areas, fast serve counters and a tiered availability of food stalls to the club area.

PROUD TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS TO SOME OF THE UK'S LARGEST STADIUMS

Pioneer Group offer a connected approach to Audio Visual solutions, electrical contracting and network infrastructure, making us the go-to supplier for audiovisual installations within Stadia.

We have a formidable reputation for delivering complete turnkey solutions, managing all aspects of the delivery under a single Project Team. Our approach is anchored in your success. We don't start with the technology; we begin by examining your needs, wants, and space before designing a solution. This way, we always ensure that you get the right solution to support your organisation.

Regardless of project size, we support every part of the process from start to finish, including ongoing management, to ensure a lasting harmony between the solutions we provide and those they impact.

GOT A PROJECT? GET IN TOUCH

ELTA-stadium is the live graphics solution developed by DELTACAST. It allows to control multiple 8K displays at the same time to elevate the fans’ experience in the stadium. Thanks to this solution, each screen in the stadium becomes a new source of monetisation. Its very easy-to-use UI allows a single operator to control all the audiovisual content in the stadium.

With higher and higher resolutions and more and more custom shapes, live video content in stadiums and arenas is constantly evolving. Stadium and sports club managers need to create exceptional immersive experiences in order to reach audiences and create fan engagement. Clubs are also in need of innovative approaches to increase revenues opportunities.

ANY SCREEN. ANY RESOLUTION. ANY SHAPE.

DELTA-stadium is the solution to the challenge of driving pixelaccurate content to any LED screen resolution (including 8K). Whether it’s a giant screen, perimeter LEDs, a 360° halo panel or

central-hung screen, DELTACAST technology enables live content with pre-rendered and real-time rendered 2D/3D graphics. It has never been so easy to synchronise an action on multiple displays without result distortion.

Moreover, the Template Editor interface, included in the package, gives users access to templates included in DELTA-stadium or to create their own. In addition, whether the streams are used for soccer, rugby, basketball or tennis, DELTA-stadium’s multi-sport interface allows you to benefit from specifically adapted visuals. DELTA-stadium allows also new monetisation opportunities with sponsors. Any screen in or outside the stadium becomes a potential advertising leverage during the game - a sponsor logo for main match events, or an ad after the kiss cam, for example.

“It’s easy to create a vibrant culture around the game in the stadium with a multi-channel experience”, explained Lionel Dutilleux, International Sales Manager at DELTACAST. “Moderating, editing and sharing content on any screen in the stadium is made easy with the integrated Social Wall”. During the game, the operator can easily control any lighting,

pyrotechnic or audio effect with a DMX/GPIO or MIDI interface. It is also possible to easily add statistical data from external sources such as StatsPerform and quickly display it on any screen to give rhythm to the content broadcast by integrating the feeds from any live camera (kiss cam, referee zoom).

DELTA-stadium partners benefit from DELTACAST premium support, too, as Lionel explained further: “Indeed, we are used to designing customised products, so we are also used to being flexible. Our partners are our interface; if a specific feature is not yet developed but one of their customers needs it, they can share the information with us and we will do our best to integrate it.”

DELTACAST are committed to providing customers with knowledge and its team of qualified and experienced engineers. “Compared to other solutions, DELTACAST really offers a flexible service with DELTA-stadium. We really work together with our customers when developing new features and that is definitely a big asset for them” commented Jérôme Gillet, Product Manager at DELTACAST.

DELTA-stadium is available in five versions:

• Stand-alone machine (up to 3x 4K) - PLAY, EDGE, PLAY+ and ENGAGE versions

• Distributed architecture (>3x4K, 8K) - INFINITY version

DELTA-stadium solution includes:

• DELTA-cg Engine

• Template Editor

• ScreenMatrix

• Sport interface

• License Manager

DELTACAST will be attending ISE 2023 in Barcelona. Stop by booth#5C550toseethestrengthofDELTA-stadiumINFINITYlive.

deltacast.com

BDP PATTERN

Dipesh Patel, Principal & Head of Sport

n July 2021, international design practice, BDP acquired Pattern Design. In a year where sporting events have taken centre stage and the eyes of the world are on the development of sporting venues, it is an optimistic time for the studio as it adopts its new moniker - BDP Pattern. Founded in 2009 by Dipesh Patel, Pattern developed an enviable portfolio of high-profile sports and entertainment projects. The firm successfully won a series of international competitions and major commissions in the Middle East, North and South America, Europe, China and the United Kingdom. Prior to the acquisition, Pattern’s widespread experience was seen to complement the work completed by BDP at famous sporting venues including Wimbledon All England Lawn Tennis Club, Aintree Racecourse and, most recently, the expansion of the Red Rose grandstand at Emirates Old Trafford for Lancashire County Cricket Club. Its 40-strong studio of architects, technologists, computational designers, and support staff has continued under the direction of Patel, who has since become a Principal and Head of Sport at BDP. The practice was founded with the intention to design only in 3D with an emphasis on parametric, mathematical design and digital fabrication. The firm won its first five tenders and received plaudits for its design of the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, which is still

regarded as a ground-breaking approach to stadium design.

To date, BDP Pattern has played its part in an escalating race to deliver ever more elaborate, costly and ostentatious venues that deliver the best fan experiences. However, with a change in consumer priorities and a growing emphasis on social value and sustainability continuing to shift public opinion, excessive investment and new stadia built solely for global reputation are no longer central to the practice’s and clients’ aspirations.

Today, people want more from new stadia, especially when they are delivered for what is effectively a very short amount of time. This, combined with the progressive values under which both Pattern and BDP were founded, means that the company is designing sports facilities that balance sustainability, community needs, functionality and the best fan experience for the long term. In the words of Dipesh Patel, “It’s a welcome challenge.”

As investment in stadia projects becomes based around a robust business case, grounded in lasting legacy design, strong revenue profile and wider community benefit, BDP Pattern is leading the way in the design and development of stateof-the-art stadia that have a meaningful, positive impact.

For example, in 2019, the Peruvian government successfully hosted the 2019 Lima Pan American

and Para Pan American Games with a keen focus on leaving a lasting legacy of elite athlete development and community value.

All the venues built for the games are simple, lowcost buildings suited to the local technology and sharply focused on their legacy. The main athletics stadium is a good example of a modest venue that had a major temporary capacity increase to host the large crowds for the event, with the capability to repeat this for another future world-scale athletics meeting. The intention to leave a legacy addressed two physical and societal problems in Peruvian athletics; a major headwind that disadvantaged Peruvian athletes in event qualification; and a lack of modern elite development facilities. Now, a sophisticated wind screen turns their troublesome headwind into a tailwind and most of the new stadium pavilion is a world-class residential training centre. Both of these interventions will benefit the next generation of Peruvian athletes to be the best in the world.

Moreover, the overall precinct is set in an area of Lima that was in need of regeneration. Local income levels are low and general health is below average. Once a locked fortress open only to elite athletes, the precinct is now a major new urban hub that provides support across a variety of sports and wellness needs.

More recently, the Ahmad Bin Ali stadium and Education City stadium hosted matches for

the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Both have sophisticated cooling technology for year-round use. Although not needed for the tournament, the cooling is a critical part of the legacy of the stadia to allow year-round use in a desert climate. This will enable sport to be a catalyst that helps address health issues related to low exercise patterns, a lack of grass roots sports and the demand for more community spaces. Additionally, although both stadia look totally permanent, almost half the capacity is modular. These modular elements can be reused to create medium-size stadia or a series of stands for almost any sport. Ultimately, this enables one of the key aims of this World Cup; to assist developing nations in their sporting aims.

As BDP Pattern continues to deliver legacy-focused stadia, it knows there is still a place for major high-end venues that have high utilisation, contribute to the economy and build social capital. The climate emergency presents the most significant challenge for these new mega venues, and the large, grandiose designs of the past will be increasingly unviable in the currency of carbon.

Hence, for many sporting venues a low carbon, lightweight, low cost and adaptable approach is clearly very appealing. A major opportunity is available to the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosts, USA, Mexico and Canada. With NFL/CFL the dominant sport in North America, many large stadia already exist. These could be effectively repurposed for the tournament and the redesigns could leave a legacy of grass roots football as the game grows in the region. In Mexico, football is already huge and the aim here should be a combination of refurbishing existing venues and adding new stadia that address the critical current issues of carbon reduction and building social capital.

Of course, the global pandemic has been a hard lesson for many industries including sports and entertainment. More generally, there has been an underlying change in habits and interests. The next generation live, communicate and socialise in ever-changing ways. Music festivals are a huge developing trend alongside more established major sports and entertainment models. Technology has seen a huge rise in online gaming supporting live esports events. So, looking further ahead, BDP Pattern is working to invest in further ideas that support innovative use of overlays and legacy designs –allowing poorer nations to host events by using the ideas of upcycling, refurbishment and modular lightweight (low carbon) venues.

As the company goes from strength to strength, Patel and his team are aware that it is only in the last 12 months that facilities around the world have opened following the global pandemic. As a business, BDP Pattern recognises that Covid-19 has had a profound impact on eventgoers, with social habits having changed and the current cost-of-living crisis affecting fans’ spending capacity.

In reaction to this challenging climate, the practice has been working with its clients to ensure venues support organisations in their aim to keep attendance at sport and entertainment events strong. The team understands that stadium experience is crucial and that sport helps build social cohesion, providing relief from the challenges of daily life. Looking toward the future, BDP Pattern wants to continue promoting the huge social benefit sport carries – something which must be supported and funded for the long-term benefit of all global communities.

More than a match.

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