Features

Daktronics fits Climate Pledge Arena with record 224 LED displays

Audiovisual systems manufacturer Daktronics has been selected to build and install 224 LED displays at Climate Pledge Arena, the new home of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken which is set to stage its first game this weekend.

Daktronics has partnered with arena operator Oak View Group on the installation, which features 28,715 square feet of digital signage totalling more than 145 million pixels and dual hanging display configurations featuring 2,720 square feet each.

Daktronics said the 224 LED displays will be the most at any sports and entertainment venue in the world. The number includes 173 displays outside the main seating bowl of the arena.

The first-of-their-kind dual hanging displays form a triangular shape with three displays each – two sideline-facing displays and one end-facing, curved display. The end displays measure around 25 feet high by 46 feet wide, with the four sideline displays measuring around 23 feet high by 43 feet wide.

The hanging displays are able to show live video, instant replays, statistics and game information, graphics and animations, and sponsorship messages.

The installation also features four ribbon displays, 32 vomitory displays above the entrances and exits of the seating bowl, four basket stanchion displays, three digital scorers tables and two dasher boards.

Jonny Greco, senior vice-president of entertainment experience and presentation at the Kraken, said: “Daktronics is elevating our fan experience with the most LED displays ever installed at a sports venue.

“With all those pixels it is imperative we think of the guest journey from the minute they set foot on the Seattle Center Campus all the way to sitting in their seats at Climate Pledge Arena. Having a world-class sports entertainment facility under a historic roof allows us to find a happy fusion of tradition and technology.”

Reece Kurtenbach, president and chief executive of Daktronics, added: “With 224 displays, audiences will be immersed in the experience from the moment that they arrive and entertained throughout every event held at Climate Pledge Arena.

“This installation will be an icon for the Pacific Northwest. We’re excited to install the LED technology to engage their audiences and to help usher men’s professional hockey back to the city of Seattle.”

Climate Pledge Arena staged its first event on Tuesday as hometown rock heroes the Foo Fighters and Death Cab for Cutie played a concert in what was intended to be a soft opening ahead of the main events this weekend.

The 18,000-seat arena will officially open with a Coldplay concert tomorrow (Friday) before the Kraken plays its opening NHL game at the venue on Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks. The arena will also serve as the home of four-time WNBA women’s basketball champion Seattle Storm.

Image: Daktronics