Key Takeaways
- Anthony James Partners and Osborn Engineering are leading the technology planning, design, and implementation of a major LED video‑board upgrade for Ohio State’s arena, with Daktronics handling manufacturing and installation.
- The centerpiece is a new center‑hung display comprising four 3.7 mm LED faces in a continuous convex shape, supplemented by two under‑belly screens to improve sightlines for seats directly beneath the structure.
- Compared with the 2006 system (four 16‑by‑9‑foot video panels), the new primary display area grows from ~576 sq ft to >1,900 sq ft—a 234 % increase—and delivers more than 2.5 times the pixel density.
- Ancillary upgrades include four large corner displays (≈38 ft × 12 ft each), a 360‑degree ribbon display spanning ~951 linear ft around the arena, and 43 additional ribbons at upper and lower bowl entrances for event content, venue communications, and sponsorship.
- Ross Bjork, Ohio State’s senior vice president and director of athletics, emphasizes that the enhancements will provide sharper visuals, more dynamic content, and greater fan connectivity to the action.
- Installation is slated for completion by September 2026, in time for the 2026‑27 basketball and hockey seasons.
Project Leadership and Partnerships
The upgrade is being steered by two specialized firms: Anthony James Partners, which brings extensive experience in sports‑venue technology strategy, and Osborn Engineering, a long‑standing provider of structural and systems design for arenas and stadiums. Together they are overseeing the entire technology planning, design, and implementation process. Daktronics, a global leader in LED display solutions, has been selected to manufacture and install the new systems. This triumvirate ensures that the project benefits from cutting‑edge display expertise, rigorous engineering standards, and a proven track record in large‑scale sports‑facility installations.
Center‑Hung Display – The Visual Core
At the heart of the renovation is a brand‑new center‑hung video board. It features four LED panels, each with a 3.7 mm pixel pitch, arranged in a seamless convex configuration that wraps around the central suspension point. The convex shape minimizes distortion and provides a more uniform viewing experience across the arena’s seating bowl. In addition to the main faces, two under‑belly displays are being added to directly serve fans seated beneath the primary structure, a common blind‑spot in older arena designs. This dual‑approach maximizes coverage and ensures that virtually every seat enjoys an unobstructed, high‑resolution view of live action, instant replays, and supplemental content.
Leap in Display Size and Resolution
The new center‑hung system replaces a 2006 installation that consisted of four 16‑by‑9‑foot (4.9‑by‑2.7‑meter) video screens, together offering roughly 576 square feet (53.5 m²) of display area. The upgraded board expands the primary viewing surface to more than 1,900 square feet (176.5 m²), marking a 234 % increase in usable screen real‑estate. Beyond sheer size, the pixel density jumps by a factor of over 2.5, meaning that images will appear noticeably sharper, with finer detail in graphics, player close‑ups, and high‑definition video. This enhancement directly supports the arena’s goal of delivering a broadcast‑quality experience to live spectators.
Corner Displays – Expanding the Visual Field
To complement the central board, four corner displays are being installed at each quadrant of the arena. Each corner screen measures approximately 38 feet (11.6 meters) wide by 12 feet (3.7 meters) tall, creating large, high‑impact visual zones that improve sightlines for fans seated in the upper sections and along the sidelines. These panels will be capable of showing live game feeds, statistics, promotional material, and immersive graphics that wrap the action around the arena’s periphery, thereby reducing the reliance on the central board alone for peripheral vision.
360‑Degree Ribbon Display – A Continuous Visual Band
Encircling the entire seating bowl is a continuous 360‑degree ribbon display stretching about 951 linear feet (≈290 meters). This thin, high‑brightness LED band runs along the upper rim of the arena, delivering a seamless stream of content that can include real‑time scores, sponsor messages, fan‑engagement prompts, and ambient visual effects. Because it envelops the venue, the ribbon ensures that promotional and informational content remains visible from virtually every angle, reinforcing brand presence and maintaining a lively atmosphere throughout the event.
Supplemental Ribbons at Bowl Entrances
In addition to the main ribbon, 43 smaller LED ribbons are positioned at the upper and lower seating‑bowl entrances. These targeted displays serve multiple functions: they can broadcast event‑specific content such as line‑ups and player introductions, relay important venue communications (e.g., safety announcements, concession promotions), and provide dedicated sponsorship opportunities that are highly visible to traffic flowing in and out of the arena. Their modular placement allows for flexible scheduling and tailored messaging based on the sport, event type, or audience demographic.
Athletic Director’s Vision
Ross Bjork, Ohio State’s senior vice president and director of athletics, highlighted the strategic intent behind the upgrade: “The enhancements to the video boards will deliver sharper visuals, allow for more dynamic content, and provide greater connectivity to the action.” His remarks underscore the university’s commitment to elevating the fan experience, leveraging technology to bridge the gap between on‑court/on‑ice performance and audience engagement. By improving visual fidelity and expanding content versatility, the arena aims to attract higher attendance, boost in‑game spending, and strengthen its reputation as a premier destination for collegiate sports.
Timeline and Implementation Schedule
All installation work is scheduled for completion by September 2026, aligning with the start of the 2026‑27 basketball and hockey seasons. This timeline allows for thorough testing, calibration, and integration with existing arena systems such as sound, lighting, and network infrastructure. Phased deployment—starting with structural mounting, followed by electrical wiring, LED panel installation, and finally software configuration—ensures minimal disruption to ongoing events while maintaining a clear path to readiness for the upcoming season.
Impact on Fan Experience and Revenue Potential
The combined upgrades are poised to transform how spectators experience games at Ohio State’s venue. Larger, higher‑resolution screens reduce the need for fans to rely on personal devices for replays or statistics, fostering a more communal viewing atmosphere. The expanded ribbon and corner displays create additional “touchpoints” for sponsor messaging, potentially increasing the value of advertising inventory and opening new revenue streams. Enhanced visual appeal can also improve the arena’s attractiveness for non‑sporting events such as concerts, graduations, and conferences, thereby maximizing facility utilization.
Technological Considerations and Future‑Proofing
By selecting a 3.7 mm pixel pitch for the central boards, the project strikes a balance between image quality and power efficiency, a critical factor for large‑scale installations that operate for many hours each event. The convex design reduces the need for excessive curvature correction in software, simplifying content creation workflows. Moreover, the use of Daktronics’ proven control systems ensures compatibility with future upgrades—such as higher refresh rates, HDR capabilities, or integration with augmented‑reality overlays—allowing the arena to adapt to evolving broadcast and fan‑engagement trends without requiring a complete overhaul.
Conclusion
In summary, the Ohio State arena’s LED video‑board overhaul represents a substantial investment in visual technology, guided by expert partners and executed by a market‑leading manufacturer. The new center‑hung display, complemented by expansive corner panels, a full‑circumference ribbon, and numerous entrance ribbons, will deliver a markedly larger and sharper visual platform. With completion targeted for September 2026, the upgrades are set to debut alongside the 2026‑27 basketball and hockey seasons, promising heightened fan engagement, improved sponsor exposure, and a modernized arena environment poised for the next generation of collegiate sports entertainment.