One of the newest trends that fans attending sports arenas and stadiums are noticing are new LED lighting systems that make the game look incredible. That switch from antiquated metal-halide lights to LED technology began in 2012 when a young upstart company, Ephesus Lighting installed the first LED sports lighting system at the Onondaga County War Memorial AHL hockey arena in Syracuse, New York. Less than four years later, that same company’s lights illuminated Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
The initial attraction to LED lights for facility managers was an estimated 70% savings on energy costs. But the widespread acceptance of the technology, which is currently employed by nearly one-third of professional sports venues became a reality when team executives understood it’s the ability to enhance the fan experience.
“The $550+ million renovation of Hard Rock Stadium enhanced the fan experience to a new level,” explains Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium Senior Vice President of Stadium Operations Todd Boyan. “We have been pleased with the switch to Ephesus LED lights as they present a more cost-efficient solution in improving our event presentation for football, soccer, concerts and the many of the world-class events the facility now hosts.”
In addition to stadiums making the switch to LED, it’s also become standard for new stadiums to be built with LED lighting systems. The NFL’s two newest stadiums and host sites for the Super Bowls LII and LIII, US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia were both built with LED lights. Additionally, Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, the new home of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks will debut this fall with LED lights.
The enhanced controllability of the lights is a benefit for these stadiums to allow for entertaining light shows – whether they be player introductions, scoring celebrations or halftime shows. In 2015, Katy Perry’s halftime performance at Super Bowl XLIX was extended beyond what was initially planned when the producers learned the LED lights would allow them to immediately black out the arena and return the light levels instantaneously.
“Professional and college sports venues understand how LED sports lighting can improve their game presentation and enhance their operations with dramatic energy savings and minimal maintenance,” said Lee Davis, General Manager of Eaton’s Ephesus Lighting business. “The acceptance at the professional level has also paved the way for thousands of high school and municipal sports fields all across America are to experience the benefits of an LED sports lighting solution.”
In Syracuse, where it all began, that same AHL minor league hockey arena is going through a massive renovation. The War Memorial, home of the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch and the site of the filming of the classic film Slapshot, will open their 2018-19 season on October 13 under the next version of the LED sports lighting – Eaton's new Ephesus Lumadapt LED Sports Lighting System. The new lighting systems are part of the War Memorial’s extensive renovation that also includes suites and video boards.
“The LED lights have been a big part of the phenomenal transformation of this old barn into a great venue to play and watch professional hockey,’ said Howard Dolgon, owner of the Syracuse Crunch. “For fans, the LED lights have enhanced the experience with a better game presentation, crystal clear video replays on our scoreboard and entertaining light shows for goal celebrations. Additionally, our players, especially our goalies immediately noticed the improved lighting to track the puck. We’re excited to experience how the new lights will make our games even better.”
Whereas most LED sports lighting solutions are simply independent LED fixtures connected by the control system, the technology behind the new Lumadapt system is more like a computer network. The intelligent cloud data approach connects the entire system, thus allowing each user to customize the lights to their stadium/arena by uploading new features, functionality, and upgrades, much like a smartphone.
The fully-integrated system can expand with a wide range of a-la-carte options such as RGBA color, beam tuning, color temperature tuning, remote health/status monitoring and a dynamic scene builder with the capability to make personalized lighting scenes. As functionality is updated and new functionality is developed, it will be available as an upgrade or update of their system. This level of adaptability can reduce the initial investment by allowing customers to select from a suite of features as needs change or budgets expand.
As teams compete with the comforts of home and HD television, and try and find new ways to keep fans coming to the games, this new technology goes a long way to protect the environment while providing an amazing light show in the process.
