Technology

Tech Stack: Vegas Sphere, NBA All-Star and more

Featured image credit: NFL

The NFL has teamed up with Sphere Entertainment to display branded content on the Sphere arena in Las Vegas in the lead-up to Sunday’s Super Bowl at the nearby Allegiant Stadium.

The content, created exclusively by Sphere Studios, is being displayed on the Sphere’s programmable LED exterior, the Exosphere. The Sphere will also be featured in CBS Sports’ coverage of the Super Bowl.

Content displayed on the Sphere includes a countdown clock leading up to kick-off, a welcome visual for people visiting the city, and key graphics highlighting the matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers.

The arena will also showcase all 57 Super Bowl rings, giving fans an opportunity to pose in front of their team’s ring. During the game itself, content on the Exosphere will run live, in real time in response to the action on the field.

Allegiant Stadium, which is located around three miles from the Sphere, has also struck a deal with Blink, a manufacturer of electric vehicle charging equipment and services.

As the official EV charging provider for Allegiant Stadium, Blink will provide 24/7 charging solutions for drivers. Blink will equip the stadium with its Series 8 charging station, a Level 2 80-amp charger offering flexibility and built-in features.

The NBA basketball league has unveiled a full-video LED court, developed by ASB GlassFloor, that will be used for All-Star events taking place at Lucas Oil Stadium next week.

The court is designed to enhance the fan experience in the arena and on broadcasts. During each event, visual effects displayed on the court will include design and colour changes, live replays and other video content, real-time game stats, location-based player tracking animations, interactive games for fans during timeouts, and immersive animations following key plays and moments.

Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, will host the All-Star Celebrity Game on February 16, followed by All-Star Saturday Night the following day.

Evolv Technology, a provider of AI-based weapons detection security screening, has been selected as ASM Global’s preferred technology provider for patron screening in North America.

The Evolv Express detection system is currently used at 10 ASM Global venues across North America, including EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville and NRG Stadium in Houston. It was initially deployed at multiple ASM Global venues in the UK in 2022.

Adidas Arena, one of the host venues for this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, has been fitted with LED video installations courtesy of Stramatel.

Stramatel has designed a set of LED video boards for the arena, including a cube suspended above the court measuring 82 square metres. The company has also fitted Adidas Arena with a ribbon board surrounding the venue, which will host badminton and rhythmic gymnastics during the Olympics.

Spanish Segunda División football club RCD Espanyol has unveiled a new LED screen on the exterior of the south stand at Stage Front Stadium.

The management of the screen will be overseen by investment company Publimaes as part of a 10-year contract. The screen will enable Espanyol to display advertisers’ brands for up to 16 hours per day, with the club’s own advertising to be used for four hours on match days.

US technology company Cantaloupe has broadened its service offering by acquiring social payments platform CHEQ.

The strategic investment positions Cantaloupe for expansion into the sports and entertainment sectors through a comprehensive suite of self-service solutions.

Read our story from last week for full details.