It all began in Japan in the 1980s with an invention that would change the live sports experience forever. Together, two competing electronic companies – Mitsubishi Electric and Sony – created an integral part of the modern day stadium. In 1980, the MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles showcased “Diamond Vision”, a large cathode ray tube television that was considered the first true video board installed at a sports venue and the largest non projection video display ever created at the time. Five years later, the term “JumboTron” was coined by Yasuro Kuroki, the Creative Director at Sony who also invented the Walkman. In 1986, the first permanent indoor arena jumbotron was hung at HemisFair Arena in San Antonio, the now defunct home of the NBA’s Spurs. Fast forward to the present day, where most arenas and stadiums throughout the world have a center-hung jumbotron or at least some videoboard. But to keep up with the changing times, there are three great examples of some truly unique designs in the sports world.

Climate Pledge Arena

Climate Pledge Arena opened in 2021 as a complete overhaul of the historic KeyArena at Seattle Center. One of the most notable new features of the resurrected building are the two triangular videoboards – the first and only of their kind – located on each side of the ice. They’re higher up than the traditional center-hung scoreboards found at other hockey venues, drastically improving sightlines. Together, they give Kraken fans a unique six-sided perspective of the action as they cheer on the NHL’s newest franchise.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta opened in 2017 as the replacement of the Georgia Dome, becoming the new home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and also for the expansion MLS franchise, Atlanta United FC. The venue has also played host to the SEC Championship, College Football National Championship and Super Bowl. In the future, the FIFA World Cup and Final Four are slated to be held at MBS. The stadium’s 360-degree Halo Board was the first of its kind and gives fans in all corners and levels of the stadium a glimpse of of the action.

Intuit Dome

The newest pro sports venue, opening in fall 2024, the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California is the newly christened home of the LA Clippers. The team finally found a home of their own after sharing digs with the rival Lakers for decades. The Intuit Dome introduced the first and largest double-sided halo board in an arena, taking up nearly an acre of space. When rolled out, it’s three times the size of the Hollywood sign. The video board doesn’t just show stats or instant replays, but also allows fans to play console-style video games on the big screen against other players thanks to buttons next to each seat – truly a first of its kind in sports.

40 years ago, jumbotrons were the beginning of a new age in sports, but now the bar has been raised, bringing bigger and more unique designs to arenas and stadiums across the country.