Stadium technology and the future fan experience at ISE 2026
As February approaches, ISE will once again take over Barcelona with ISE 2026 from 3–6 February at Fira de Barcelona, Gran Via. This year’s show is set to be a defining moment for the stadium and large-venue landscape: a place to see the technologies that will shape tomorrow’s productions, make meaningful industry connections, and tap into education that genuinely moves the craft forward.
This year’s theme, ‘Push Beyond,’ isn’t just a slogan – it’s a call to action for stadium operators, venue managers, and technology professionals to experience the next frontier in live sports and entertainment technology.
Lighting & Staging: Immersive Spectacle and Sustainable Solutions
The Lighting & Staging Tech Zones, located in Halls 6 and 8.1, is a must-visit for anyone involved in stadium production. Here, the latest in intelligent lighting, motion tracking, video mapping, and holography converge to create immersive experiences that begin the moment fans enter the venue. Expect to see brands like ETC, Clay Paky, Robe, and Elation demonstrating energy-efficient LEDs, modular designs, and advanced control systems that not only dazzle but also support sustainability goals. The integration of IoT and AI enables lighting to adapt dynamically to crowd movement and ambient conditions, enhancing both spectacle and operational efficiency.
Read the full article from ISSUE 45 below:
https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/mdst45_digitallr/82
X-Laser projectors provide visual spectacle at CareFirst Arena
Basketball fans in Washington, D.C., get to enjoy an even more spectacular visual experience during each Washington Mystics game this season. The team’s in-game video content now features eye-catching effects generated by X-Laser projectors.
Shown on video boards at CareFirst Arena during pregame player introductions and at key moments throughout each game, the clips showcase individual Mystics players surrounded by dynamic laser beams. And to enhance the viewing experience for all fans, whether attending in person or watching at home, the team also intersperses the clips during its TV broadcasts.
Read the full article from ISSUE 45 below:
https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/mdst45_digitallr/78
Karan Kathuria: RENKUS-Heinz
For ISSUE 45, MONDO | STADIA interviewed Karan Kathuria, Director of Sales & Business Development, RENKUS-Heinz.
Stadium projects often require strict adherence to international guidelines (such as FIFA’s minimal SPL requirements or FIBA standards). How does Renkus-Heinz ensure its systems meet these rigorous performance benchmarks right out of the box?
FIFA’s peak sound level expectations are 105 dB SPL, and Renkus-Heinz ensures this through a blend of beam steering, line arrays, and point source solutions. By using precise EASE simulations of the stadium, we are able to determine the most accurate speaker localisation to deliver the FIFA standard of uniformity of ± 3 dB SPL.
Read the full interview from ISSUE 45 below:
https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/mdst45_digitallr/18
Virginia Tech Improves Live Event Experience with Daktronics Displays
Daktronics of Brookings, South Dakota, was asked by Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech) to manufacture and install two main video displays and four wing video displays at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Virginia. The installation took place in 2025 and is currently entertaining Hokies fans at men’s and women’s basketball, wrestling, volleyball, and other special events held at the venue.
“The new Daktronics video boards in Cassell Coliseum have been a night and day change for our fans,” said Virginia Tech Senior Associate Athletics Director, Production & Multimedia, Jed Castro. “They are HUGE. They are bright. And even though our arena can't support a center hung, when you enter the arena, your attention is automatically drawn to HokieVision, thanks to Daktronics.
“The design is unique to our venue, and it has allowed us to keep stats up the entire game, something that our fans have been asking for the past few years. We've also added more space - and more productive space - for our multimedia rights partner to sell, allowing them to put up more than just a logo. With these boards, and the creativity of our staff and students, we've not yet begun to scratch the surface of what we can do for our fan experience. It might be the biggest improvement to the Coliseum in its 60-year history.”
Main Video Display Details
The main video displays at Cassell Coliseum each measure approximately 24.5 feet high by 44 feet wide and each features 3.9-millimeter pixel spacing to deliver crisp images and graphics to student-athletes and fans. These are capable of variable content zoning so each can show multiple zones of video, replays, statistics, game information and sponsorship messages.
“Daktronics is proud to be part of these LED display enhancements at Cassell Coliseum. Fans are sure to enjoy the larger high-resolution displays, creating a whole new atmosphere for Hokie nation,” said Charley Bocklet, region manager at Daktronics. “These improvements follow the scorer’s table upgrades Daktronics provided last year and the change has been transformational for the fan experience.”
Flanking the main displays are four wing displays, two at each end of the arena. All four wing displays measure roughly 11.5 feet high by 18 feet wide and all feature the same 3.9-millimeter pixel spacing as the main video displays. These displays are used to provide supplemental information, graphics and messaging to meet the needs of Virginia Tech Athletics and any event held at Cassell Coliseum.
Daktronics included a complete Show Control solution with this project. This industry-leading control system provides a combination of display control software, world-class video processing, data integration and playback hardware that forms a powerful yet user-friendly production solution.
Rounding out the project are six backlit ID panels, six locker room clocks and four shot clocks with lighting strips.
Daktronics has grown with the sports industry from the company’s beginnings in 1968. Today, the company has LED video display installations at hundreds of colleges and universities across the United States.
Edgbaston Stadium launches UK-First Automated Cup Return System Technology
Edgbaston Stadium has announced it will become the first business in the UK to deploy innovative smart-return technology from Aucxis, built on its proven STAR RFID solution, specifically designed to revolutionise and speed up the customer journey for cricket fans.
In a landmark collaboration between Edgbaston, its long-standing Strategic Partner Levy, Event Cup Solutions, and technology experts Aucxis, the stadium is set to eliminate traditional refund queues and modernise how visitors move through the ground.
Launching this spring, ahead of a busy cricket season with Internationals including the Women’s T20 World Cup and domestic fixtures including Vitality Blast Finals Day, the technology allows visitors to enjoy fussfree cup returns with an automatic “deposit refund ” when leaving the stadium. This ground-breaking STAR RFID solution has been successfully rolled out in Aucxis’s homeland, Belgium, and its arrival at the worldfamous Edgbaston Stadium marks a significant upgrade in spectator convenience.
The project builds upon a strong existing foundation with Event Cup Solutions, which has been the reusable cup provider of choice at the stadium since 2023 This latest innovation takes the supply to the next level by ensuring the return process is as high-quality as the service itself.
The primary benefit of this innovative deposit return system is the total removal of frustrating queues for visitors waiting to hand in empty cups at the end of a match. By simply dropping cups into "smart collection points," fans can head home faster without the usual bottlenecks. The technology also provides certainty that deposits will be refunded to the correct account, even if a friend or family member returns the cups on the purchaser’s behalf. Because the system recognises the original transaction, whoever has paid for the drinks gets their money back automatically, making it the perfect solution for groups and families.
Beyond the visitor experience, the system also delivers operational and sustainability benefits. RFIDenabled collection points handle large volumes simultaneously, reduce manual counting for staff and support a circular reuse model that lowers single-use waste, all without any extra effort from visitors.
Lucy Hayes, Operations Director for Edgbaston Stadium, commented: “We are immensely proud to be the first UK venue to adopt this technology. Our priority is always to provide the best possible experience for everyone who visits our ground. By introducing this automated cup return system, we are removing one of the main pain points for fans – the queue to return cups at the end of the day. This is about making a visit to Edgbaston Stadium as seamless and enjoyable as possible from the moment you arrive until the moment you leave.”
Adam Hucknall, Levy General Manager at Edgbaston Stadium, added: “This is another example of the innovative suppliers and collaborations we bring to our partner venues. Our focus is to ensure that visitors to Edgbaston Stadium can experience their day out with the least amount of hassle. We are always looking for solutions to help improve the customer journey, while keeping everyone safe, and this automated system from Aucxis is a significant step forward in putting the fan first.”
Jason Scrivens, Chief Innovation Officer at Aucxis, stated: “After seeing the success of our smart-return systems in Belgium, we are thrilled to partner with Event Cup Solutions in such an iconic sports venue as Edgbaston Stadium for our UK debut. Our technology is designed to handle high-capacity crowds with precision, to make life easier for the public, ensuring that returning a cup is as quick and simple as possible. We look forward to helping cricket fans enjoy a faster, smarter experience this summer.”
This new system ensures that Edgbaston Stadium remains at the forefront of global stadium innovation, prioritising fan comfort and stress-free visiting.
Andy Bellamy: Technical Director, AJA Video Systems
As the line between professional broadcast and in-venue entertainment continues to blur, the technical infrastructure of the modern stadium has never been more critical. Fans now expect a home broadcast-level of fidelity, complete with 4K resolution and HDR vibrancy, the moment they step into the stands.
To understand how venues are navigating this high-stakes shift from SDI to IP and beyond, MONDO | STADIA spoke with Andy Bellamy, Technical Director for EMEA at AJA Video Systems. With over three decades of heritage in film and television production, AJA is now positioned as a vital ‘translator’ for the sporting ecosystem, providing the hardware and virtual tools necessary to bridge the gap between traditional reliability and next-generation scalability.
Read the full interview from ISSUE 45 below:
https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/mdst45_digitallr/12
DELTACAST and LEDECA come together for projects at Ulker Arena and RAMS Park
Founded in the early 2000s, DELTACAST has been passionately enhancing fan experiences through tailor-made graphic solutions. From broadcasters to stadiums, our pioneering spirit drives us to continually push the boundaries of what is possible.
Headquartered in Liège, at the heart of Europe, DELTACAST designs and develops a complete range of in-house graphic products, crafted by a dedicated team of talented engineers and computer scientists.
“At DELTACAST, we believe that technology should serve people, not replace them. Innovation, for us, is only meaningful when it adapts to real-world needs, feels intuitive, and adds genuine value. This is why we take a human-centred approach, grounded in flexibility, collaboration, and close support. We do not just deliver tools — we create adaptive, future-ready solutions backed by high-level technical expertise and personalized service. Because behind every project, there are people, visions, and stories waiting to be brought to life”, emphasizes Lionel Dutilleux, Marketing Manager at DELTACAST.
LEDECA, a Turkish company founded 19 years ago and composed of 120 team members, offers solutions and display systems for a wide range of vertical markets, including sports arenas, DOOH, retail, stage, building facades, and custom designs. With production facilities in Turkey and in China, coupled with a German center, LEDECA operates in more than 40 countries.
Read the full article from ISSUE 45 below:
https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/mdst45_digitallr/74
TRISON upgrade digital infrastructure at Barclays Arena Hamburg
Barclays Arena, Northern Germany’s largest multifunctional events venue, is a cornerstone of Hamburg’s cultural and sports calendar. Operated by the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), the arena, which boasts a capacity of up to 16,000 spectators, is home to a diverse range of events, from international concert headliners to resident teams like the Veolia Towers Hamburg (basketball) and HSVH (handball).
Located in the Altona Volkspark district, the venue has consistently sought technological excellence since its opening in 2002. Its strategic partnership with Samsung Electronics as its Official Technical Partner is the latest commitment to modernisation, focusing on dramatically upgrading the digital infrastructure to set new benchmarks in event presentation. The execution of this ambitious digital vision was expertly handled by the system integration specialists, TRISON. Their role was critical, extending far beyond simple hardware installation to encompass the complex logistical and technical integration required to bring the Samsung displays to life.
Martin Orr, Business Development Manager at TRISON, explained further: “We were first involved with AEG last year, completing the initial major project at Uber Arena in Berlin in August. Following that success, we were invited to tender for the Barclays Arena project in Hamburg. Given the specific demands and our successful track record, we decided to again propose the use of the Samsung top-service product, and after a competitive process, AEG selected us to deliver the installation.”
Read the full article from ISSUE 45 below:
https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/mdst45_digitallr/66
How Star Live Bridges Sport, Entertainment & Brand Experiences
With audiences demanding higher production values, rights-holders expecting commercial growth, and operators seeking year-round utilisation, the pressure to deliver seamless cross-sector transformation has never been greater. Across the live events landscape, stadiums and arenas are no longer single-purpose buildings with fixed seasonal schedules – as venues they are expected to host elite sport, headline concerts, broadcast operations, brand activations, premium hospitality and community events, often within the same week.
These converged live environments require far more than flexible programming; they demand an engineering-led infrastructure capable of working across the technical, operational and commercial expectations of sport, entertainment and brands – without compromising safety, quality, aesthetics or speed.
Sector Convergence: The New Operational Reality
Today’s stadiums and arenas operate at a pace and complexity once reserved for major touring productions. A football stadium may need to serve as a concert venue within 48 hours; a world-class tennis site may require premium hospitality suites, broadcast compounds and sponsor environments that appear for a fortnight before being removed without a trace. This presents operators with three critical challenges: technical consistency across sectors, operational efficiency under compressed timelines, and absolute safety for the workers and users of all the temporary facilities.
Roger Barrett, Technical Director at Star Live, points to the near-impossible scenarios this coming together creates, where efficiency is paramount. “Using the Oasis tour as an example, we were providing a service as a contractor - where we were going into stadiums. One actually had a football match just a few days after the first wave of Oasis shows. Our load-out period had to be so compressed that as we were taking things out of one end, they were laying new grass at the other end.” The solution required a feat of engineering logistics, coined the ‘rolling takeover’: The only way we could make that work was this rolling takeover over a 24-hour period. We were pushing things out at one end, and they were coming in with a new pitch at the other.”
Read the full article from ISSUE 45 below:
https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/mdst45_digitallr/30
KV2 Audio upgrade Eisarena Salzburg sound system
Known as Mozart’s birthplace and as the backdrop of The Sound of Music, the Austrian city is home to EC Red Bull Salzburg – the eleven-time championship-winning ice hockey team. The professional league club play their home games at Eisarena Salzburg (Kunsteisbahn), an indoor arena with a capacity of 3,400 spectators. After more than a decade relying on a patchwork, inconsistent sound system, the venue’s Operational Team turned to a new solution powered by point source experts, KV2 Audio, to finally deliver clear, intelligible game announcements.
Over the years, the venue’s sound system had been assembled from mismatched components and no longer met the high-performance, festival-level expectations of professional sports venues. Existing loudspeakers were mounted in three-box clusters aimed in different directions, resulting in more than a dozen conflicting coverage angles in each section – making speech intelligibility practically impossible. To add to the problem, the glass, concrete, metal, and perfectly smooth ice surface caused intense reflections that further reduced clarity. EC Red Bull’s Operations Team turned to KEY-WI MUSIC, Salzburg’s leading music shop. “As a Salzburg-based supplier and installation partner, KEY-WI MUSIC is always looking to support local projects,” says Gerhard Bernegger, Founder and CEO of KEY-WI MUSIC. “As always, we evaluated solutions from major manufacturers, but we were confident that only KV2 could deliver an audio experience that met every technical requirement of the venue.”
To gauge a reliable first impression of a KV2 system, an on-site test was conducted at Eisarena Salzburg by audio-visual engineering specialists AV MATTR, who led the project’s technical management and system integration.
Read the full article from ISSUE 45 below:
https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/mdst45_digitallr/50