Elation Lighting USA Round-Up
From historic arenas to next generation builds, lighting in North American sports venues is undergoing a quiet but significant shift. Recent upgrades at some of the country’s most prestigious arenas—Intuit Dome, Crypto.com Arena, American Airlines Center, and United Center—highlight a broader trend: venues are rethinking not just how they illuminate the game, but how lighting shapes the entire live experience.
Increasingly at the center of these modernisation efforts is Elation, a lighting manufacturer that has steadily built momentum in the arena sector by aligning its technology with the evolving demands of live sports presentation and broadcast, while maintaining the flexibility to support a wide range of arena events. While each installation is unique, a clear pattern has emerged: venues are not simply upgrading in-game and house lighting—they are investing in flexible, future-ready systems that entertain and elevate fan engagement, redefining what fans expect from the live sports experience.
Experience-Driven Design
For some time now, the role of lighting in arenas has grown beyond simple illumination. Today, it is evolving further into a core storytelling tool, integrating with video, audio, and architectural elements to create a cohesive, immersive, and engaging environment.
This is particularly evident at Intuit Dome, one of the most technologically advanced arenas in the world, where the lighting system, provided by sales and integration firm JRLX, Inc, was conceived as part of a wider technological ecosystem to work in harmony with video, audio, and interactive elements. Rather than relying on traditional ‘lights out’ moments, the design supports a continuous visual narrative, integrating with the venue’s circular Halo LED scoreboard and seat-based fan-engagement features for a more captivating, theatrical experience.
Read the full article from ISSUE 47 below:
https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/mdst47_digitallr/46
Meyer Sound Upgrade Audio At California Memorial Stadium
California Memorial Stadium at the University of California, Berkeley, has completed a comprehensive audio upgrade featuring a new Meyer Sound ULTRA™ family system. The design elevates the game-day experience for fans, athletes, and the broader campus community while continuing a long partnership between Cal Athletics and Meyer Sound.
Opened in 1923, California Memorial Stadium is a Berkeley landmark and one of college football’s most scenic venues, framed by the Berkeley Hills and overlooking San Francisco Bay. The stadium was rededicated in 2012 following a major seismic retrofit that preserved its historic facade while modernizing its infrastructure for future generations of fans.
The new sound system, designed with the MAPP 3D™ system design and prediction tool and supplied by Sound Image, a Clair Global brand, replaces an earlier Meyer Sound installation with a fully modernized distributed system built around ULTRA family loudspeakers and 750-LFC™ low-frequency control elements. The result is more consistent coverage, greater low-end impact, and a more immersive experience across all seating tiers. “We’ve partnered with Meyer Sound for many years, going back well before the 2012 seismic retrofit of the stadium,” says Kurt Sakasegawa, building systems manager for Cal Athletics. “This new system builds on that foundation and really raises the bar for clarity and power.”
Read the full article from ISSUE 47 below:
https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/mdst47_digitallr/26
FIBA Equipment & Venue Centre launch upgraded online platform
FIBA's Equipment & Venue Centre has announced a digital transformation of its approval services, launching a comprehensive digital catalogue designed to facilitate the procurement process for the global basketball community, including National Federations, leagues, clubs, venue owners and facility managers.
This upgraded platform provides an intuitive, searchable interface for all FIBA Approved products and the companies that produce them, categorizing the industry-renowned quality program into 18 hardware and seven software product categories.
The initiative ensures that stakeholders can effortlessly identify FIBA Approved basketball equipment, 3x3 and outdoor equipment, as well as FIBA Approved software technology that has been independently tested based on the rigorous technical standards required for different levels of international and domestic play.
ENHANCED TRANSPARENCY AND COMPLIANCE
The new digital catalogue marks a significant step forward in transparency. For the first time, users can instantly filter products by Competition Level (Levels 1 or Level 2), ensuring that facility investments align with the specific requirements of the events they host, from FIBA Basketball World Cups to local tournaments.
DIRECT CONNECTIVITY
Beyond product listings, each of FIBA's Equipment & Venue Centre partner companies now benefits from a dedicated, high-visibility space on FIBA's institutional website. These digital spaces allow partners to present their full portfolio of FIBA Approved products, links to company online promotions, and provide direct contact details for potential buyers. This feature has been designed to simplify the process and make it easier for partners and buyers to connect directly.
Bart Prinssen, Head of FIBA Equipment & Venue Centre said: "This digital evolution reflects FIBA's commitment to innovation and the professionalization of our Approval Program, serving even better the basketball industry with quality and visibility."
"Our ambition goes beyond being a service provider. From introducing the outdoor hardware program in 2021 to elevating software technology approval through cutting-edge testing equipment and protocols, we aim to provide the go-to global networking platform for hardware and software suppliers to connect with National Federations, leagues, and teams. Ultimately, we are proposing an integrated roadmap for the basketball industry to drive meaningful innovation across the sport."
The FIBA Equipment & Venue Centre plays a central role in setting global quality standards for equipment and technology used in basketball games, such as balls, backstop units, and flooring, as well as data, tracking and automated video technologies.
Internazionali BNL d’Italia unveils revamped site for 2026
The Internazionali BNL d’Italia has long been renowned for offering a unique fan experience on the ATP Tour.
The clay ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome is held at the historic Foro Italico sports complex and features some of the world’s most iconic tennis courts, not least its main stadium, Campo Centrale, and the statue-lined Stadio Pietrangeli. For the 2026 edition of the event, which takes place from 6-17 May, the tournament has announced further upgrades to the stages on which the sport’s biggest stars will do battle.
The Foro Italico’s second court, Grand Stand Arena, has this year been redesigned to stand in the middle of the Stadio dei Marmi athletics track: It has been renamed as BNP Paribas Arena and will have an increased capacity of more than 7,000 spectators.
Meanwhile a new SuperTennis Arena, built opposite Campo Centrale, will showcase polygonal architecture designed to brings fans even closer to the on-court action. The upgrades to the fan experience around the tournament site also include the restoration of historic surfaces, the replacement of large asphalted areas with natural paving, the expansion of equipped green spaces, and the creation of new areas dedicated to fitness, relaxation, and study.
Approximately €160 million has been invested in the restyling project, which aims to make the Foro Italico an increasingly accessible place throughout the year. Other additions to the site, where Carlos Alcaraz and home favourite Jasmine Paolini lifted the singles trophies at the 2025 Internazionali BNL d’Italia, include the enhancement of the Stadio dei Marmi with a new museum route dedicated to Italian sport.
The upgrades in Rome are part of a broader wave of major infrastructure investments across the ATP’s top tier events, including in Cincinnati, Shanghai, Madrid, Paris, and more. These developments have been driven by landmark reforms under OneVision, the ATP’s long-term strategic plan, aimed at elevating the sport’s premium product and enhancing the fan and player experience.
Bedford International Athletic Stadium complete track refurbishment
Bedford International Athletic Stadium has taken a significant step forward with the completion of a major track resurfacing project, helping to re-establish the venue as a competition-standard athletics facility and secure its long-term future for clubs, athletes and the wider community.
The newly resurfaced track facility, run by GLL, the charitable social enterprise, officially reopened recently, marking the culmination of extensive work supported by investment from Bedford Borough Council and delivered through Alliance Leisure, Surfacing Standards Ltd (SSL) and principal contractor Hunts.
An initial reopening in December was marked by a visit from the Mayor of Bedford, Tom Wootton, and Portfolio Holder Cllr Sarah Gallagher. Members of Bedford & County Athletics Club were in attendance, including younger athletes keen to be the first to use the new surface.
More recently, England Athletics CEO Chris Jones and Club Support Manager for the region, Kirsty Fardell, attended a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Mayor and other key figures, before a county open fixture hosted at the venue.
England Athletics CEO Chris Jones said: "This has been a fantastic collaborative effort between Bedford and County AC, GLL, Bedford Borough Council, and we're just pleased to play our part in that, bringing our national age group championships back to Bedford in 2026.
"Without the investment of Bedford Borough Council, this track opening today would not be possible. But our Facilities and Planning Manager, Ed Hunt, and Club Support Manager Kirsty Fardell, have been fundamentally important in terms of advice and guidance around track surface type, managing the relationship between club and facility, contractors, Polytan, and making sure that the design and technical specifications around the facilities were compliant with the requirements of the sport."
Scope of works and delivery
The resurfacing works formed part of a wider programme of investment into the stadium and its surrounding areas. Key elements of the project included a full relay of the athletics track and surrounding areas with a Polytan overlay, black top resurfacing of hard standing areas, installation of a new running rail and the introduction of smart timing gates.
Testing of the new track has now been completed, with certification issued following assessment by a UK Athletics recognised test house. The facility has been measured and assessed to UK Athletics Level 2 Track & Field standards and has achieved UKA TrackMark Certification Units 1, 2 and 5.
In addition, the project includes the purchase of £200,000 worth of new athletics and maintenance equipment, due to arrive over the coming months.
Amy Draper, GLL General Manager at Bedford International Athletic Stadium, said: "We are committed to putting Bedford back on the map for athletics in the UK. This investment allows us to deliver a competition-standard track, welcome new athletes to the stadium and build a sustainable future for the sport locally."
Impact for clubs and athletes
For Bedford & County Athletics Club, which has more than 500 members from across the local community, the resurfaced track represents both continuity and opportunity.
Ewan Wilson, Chair of Bedford and County Athletic Club, said: "We are very grateful to Bedford Borough Council for the investment in the track and the wider athletics facilities. Bedford & County AC is a successful and growing club with a long and decorated past. The resurfaced track secures the future of the club within the town and we look forward to working with GLL to write the next chapter in the club’s history."
Ewan continued: "Bedford & County AC are proud to be the largest Track & Field club in Bedfordshire, with a long history of success. The resurfaced track secures a safe, high‑quality facility for athletes to train on, and we’re delighted to see this investment in the sport. Bedford International Stadium has long been renowned for hosting major competitions, and this redevelopment ensures it can continue to welcome events of exceptional standard for years to come."
Looking ahead
Further work to improve the surrounding areas and internal facilities will continue. The GLL team is focused on maximising the impact of the investment by increasing usage and improving the commercial performance of the centre during 2026.
Extreme Networks deploy Wi-Fi 7 at The Swamp
Extreme Networks, Inc., a leader in AI-powered automation for networking, have announced the deployment of the first Wi‑Fi 7 network in a collegiate stadium at the University of Florida’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, also known as “The Swamp.”
When 90,000 fans pack the stadium this fall, the experience will be faster, seamless, and more connected. Devices come online instantly, fans can share and stream without interruption, and mobile ordering helps keep concessions moving.
With Wi‑Fi 7 under the hood, “The Swamp” isn’t just one of the loudest stadiums; it’s smart, fast, and fully immersive, setting a new bar for what a packed venue can deliver. This initiative complements and will carry over into the University of Florida’s planned stadium renovation, which will modernize the facility with wider concourses, improved entrances and exits, new premium seating options, enhanced concessions, and upgraded scoreboard and sound systems.
“On game day, The Swamp transforms into one of the most electrifying and densely connected environments in college sports,” said Matt Vincent, Assistant Athletics Director, Information Technology at the University of Florida. “As we continue to invest in the fan experience at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, adding Wi-Fi 7 allows us to significantly increase capacity while enabling smarter, real-time connectivity that helps everything run smoothly at peak demand. The NIaaS model from Extreme Networks also provides the flexibility to scale as needed without significant upfront investment, allowing our IT team to operate more efficiently while delivering a consistently high-quality digital experience for every fan.”
A New Era of Fan Connectivity
The new Wi‑Fi 7 network from Extreme will deliver:
- Ultra-fast speeds enabling seamless 4K/8K video streaming, instant social sharing, and real-time stats access.
- Lower latency for responsive mobile experiences, including in-seat ordering and interactive apps.
- Improved device capacity supporting tens of thousands of concurrent connections without performance degradation.
- Consistent coverage across seating bowls, concourses, suites, and outdoor areas.
Transforming Stadium Operations
Beyond enhancing the fan experience, Extreme Wi‑Fi 7 supports more reliable staff communications, faster point-of-sale transactions, enhanced security through HD video and AI-driven monitoring, and seamless integration of IoT technologies such as smart sensors, digital signage, and automated systems. With ExtremeAnalytics, venue teams can gain real-time visibility into crowd movement, concession demand, fan preferences, and dwell times—enabling smarter operational decisions and new sponsorship opportunities.
Norman Rice, Chief Commercial Officer at Extreme, said, “High-density venues push networks to their limits, especially on game day. This deployment demonstrates how Wi‑Fi 7 can set a new gold standard for college stadiums, delivering the performance, reliability, and scale today’s fans and operations demand.”
Dagenham & Redbridge partner with Gemini Sports
Dagenham & Redbridge FC have announced a multi-year partnership with Gemini Sports, a leading provider of AI-powered squad planning and player trading solutions. This landmark agreement marks a major step in bringing the Daggers into the AI era as the club continues to innovate both on and off the pitch.
Gemini Sports’ innovative platform helps elite football clubs achieve recruitment success by unifying disparate information sources like scouting reports, finance & market research, event & tracking data into one Intuitive mobile application, empowering modern football’s technical and executive teams. Gemini will enable Dagenham & Redbridge staff to elevate their talent identification practices with performance tracking, squad planning, and other features equipped to manage club governance in mere clicks.
On the partnership, The Daggers Non-Executive Chairman, Anwar Uddin MBE, commented, “Working with Gemini will allow us to build a recruitment strategy with the club and its values firmly at the centre. Rather than relying on any one individual’s knowledge or network, Gemini provides us with the tools to institutionalise that expertise across the club, ensuring every decision we make is informed by shared insight, robust intelligence, and the fullest possible picture available to futureproof our recruitment.”
The agreement underscores Gemini Sports’ growing influence across football, with existing partnerships in England, France, Italy, Australia, and the Americas. Together, Dagenham & Redbridge FC and Gemini Sports aim to redefine how teams use technology to elevate their operations on the global stage.
For more information about Gemini Sports, visit www.geminisports.ai
YBVR launch City Space on Xtadium platform
City Space has launched on the Xtadium platform, a new virtual reality experience developed in collaboration with immersive technology leader YBVR.
The experience of City Space gives fans a new way to connect with the Club, offering a unique view of the action through immersive VR.
Available exclusively on Meta Quest headsets, City Space allows supporters to relive iconic Manchester City moments and explore immersive 180° content from both the men’s and women’s teams. From key behind-the-scenes perspectives, fans can experience the Club through dynamic and engaging technology.
Xtadium combines traditional 2D video with immersive experiences, giving fans the ability to relive moments from entirely new perspectives. Whether it’s a celebration or the energy of the crowd, the platform places viewers inside the action, offering a first-person view of the matchday experience.
Immersive content brings the atmosphere of the stadium directly into the headset, allowing fans to experience the emotion and intensity of football in virtual reality. As new content is added regularly, City Space continues to evolve, giving supporters more ways to engage with Manchester City over time.
WATCH MANCHESTER CITY CONTENT IN VR WITH XTADIUM
Xtadium gives fans access to Manchester City content in a way that goes beyond traditional viewing. Instead of watching from a fixed angle, supporters can step inside key moments and experience them from within the environment.
The platform offers a more immersive way to follow the Club, bringing fans closer to the players, the crowd, and the energy of matchday, while new content released throughout the season ensures there are always fresh moments and perspectives to discover, making each visit to City Space feel different.
Horácká Multipurpose Urban Arena
A bowl designed and engineered for atmosphere — from high-intensity sports matches and large-scale concerts to more intimate events. A new urban landmark that integrates multiple sports facilities, activating the city centre and supporting local businesses. This is the Multipurpose Urban Arena in Jihlava, Czech Republic, designed by CHYBIK + KRISTOF.
The key challenge in designing a large multifunctional arena was its location — set in direct contact with the historic centre of a city of just 50,000 inhabitants. CHYBIK + KRISTOF approached this constraint as an opportunity: to transform the former 1950s ice stadium site into an active urban destination, building on existing infrastructure and bringing new value to the local community.
For this reason, the arena was conceived as a highly accessible public building, integrating a mix of uses — hotel, restaurant, a fan shop, gym, and a sport hall on the top floor. At the very top, it is crowned by a publicly accessible running track on the roof of the red oval arena. This mix of uses activates the surrounding area throughout the day, supports local businesses in the city centre, and turns the former stadium site into a lively urban destination.
A key factor in the competition-winning proposal was the decision to divide the arena into two volumes: the red oval arena and a taller silver corner building. This strategy breaks down the scale and opens up a space between them, accommodating an outdoor amphitheatre for live sports screenings and open-air cinema.
Read the full article from ISSUE 47 below:
https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/mdst47_digitallr/16
Sports Illustrated Tickets become partner of Aston Villa
Aston Villa has announced Sports Illustrated Tickets as the Club’s Official Fan Experience Partner.
This exciting new collaboration will see Sports Illustrated Tickets spearhead new premium hospitality experiences around the stadium, including the Sports Illustrated Warehouse, the new multi-use venue at Villa Park.
The partnership with the iconic U.S. brand will also introduce Club SI and Sports Illustrated Tickets Plaza, new and immersive, technology-driven fan experiences to add to the wide-ranging portfolio of hospitality on offer at Villa Park, complemented by Sports Illustrated’s rich, 70-year history of bringing stories to life.
Club SI is a hospitality pavilion blending Sports Illustrated’s iconic storytelling with curated editorial content, premium food and beverage offerings, and a modern social environment celebrating Aston Villa and the wider world of sport. Sports Illustrated Tickets Plaza is a core matchday fan destination featuring pre-match entertainment, stage and big screens, social space, food and beverage offerings, and more.
Together with the Sports Illustrated Warehouse, these spaces will provide a platform for Villa Park to become a year-round destination for fans of sport, music and hospitality alongside community group activities and business events.
Francesco Calvo, President of Business Operations, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with such an iconic, world-renowned brand in Sports Illustrated Tickets. Their desire to create fan-first experiences aligns with our vision to make Villa Park a go-to venue not just on matchdays but throughout the year.
“We hope their expertise will help turn the Sports Illustrated Warehouse into a first-class experience for our supporters and the wider community in the West Midlands and beyond.”
David Lane, CEO of Sports Illustrated Tickets, said: “This long-term partnership with Aston Villa brings together premium hospitality and Sports Illustrated’s iconic storytelling to deliver authentic, unparalleled fan experiences like only an SI brand can deliver.
“By creating a unified platform, we’re transforming how supporters engage with Villa Park across matchdays, year-round sports and entertainment events and digital and in-person experiences alike. This partnership also marks an important step in our continued growth across the UK and European market.”