To compete with the at-home experience, stadiums are updating the fan experience with creative uses of digital signage. The screen at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas is a perfect example of the wow factor that a big screen can bring. Fans from the third level can’t see the field in any great detail but with the use of the screen, they get a sideline view. Digital signage gives the team the chance to reach into every seat to make fans feel that they’re never far away.
It’s not about just having a jumbotron any more, it’s about how to provide fans with a unique experience and give them the opportunity to interact with the team that they love. It’s a mindset—getting away from the boxes to the overall objective to connect with a person. It’s asking, how can we provide an experience around the history of a team? Or doing things more creatively to engage fans and give them more. Some stadiums are giving premium level seats a built-in 22” display right at their seat that gives the fan a lot more power and choices. It’s not just about seeing the game but also about getting back what they are giving up: another game, a close up replay, pulling up a stat sheet for fantasy!
It’s fun to watch this space, because the new technology is forcing stadiums to get creative in how to provide an experience you can’t get anywhere else. It’s not just showing a feed of the TV broadcast; the screens can be used to create an entire environment.
