The Future of Perimeter Advertising & LED Boards

Published on
by Izzy Fawcett

Perimeter advertising is fast becoming one of the most technologically advanced frontiers in sports marketing. As live events embrace digital transformation, the pitchside board is evolving into a dynamic platform for storytelling, data-driven engagement, and global personalisation.

From AI-enhanced LED displays to virtual overlays tailored for different audiences, the perimeter is no longer just a boundary - it’s a bridge between brands and fans in real time.

Perimeter advertising has long been a fixture of live sports - the colourful banners that wrap around pitches, courts, and arenas are as much a part of the spectacle as the athletes themselves. (Read more about perimeter advertising here)

But as technology reshapes the way fans consume sports, perimeter advertising is undergoing one of its most dramatic evolutions yet.

The future promises not just visibility, but interactivity, personalisation, and global reach like never before.

Below we explore some of the key advancements in the space and the impact they might have for brands and rightsholders.

LED Developments

One of the most significant developments in Perimeter Advertising, will be the continued advancements in the existing technology. LED perimeter technology is rapidly improving, with pixel pitches shrinking from the standard 10mm to sharper 6mm black SMD systems. These advances deliver clearer, higher-contrast visuals on TV broadcasts, greatly enhancing brand visibility. As LED hardware becomes more affordable, more LED advertising assets are expected to appear within broadcast views to maximise commercial opportunities for clubs, brands and rightsholders.

The next generation of systems is even more sophisticated with the use of AI-driven ad rotation, real-time performance analytics, and motion-tracking technology that adjusts brightness and colour based on camera angles.

This adaptability means every fan, whether watching in the stadium or on a screen, gets the optimal visual experience. And for advertisers, it opens new levels of data-driven targeting.

Virtual advertising can also cheapen the entry point, allowing customisation but at the cost of the commercial integrity and perception of the competition and its competing clubs, which is something brands would need to weigh up.

Virtual Perimeter Advertising for Global Audiences

Alongside the advancements to existing LED perimeter technology, we also expect Virtual Board Replacement (VBR) to become increasingly prominent. VBR is already used across some sports, leagues and tournaments, including the Bundesliga, UEFA EURO 2024, the NBA, and the NHL, but advancements in the space are expected to see technology expanding beyond the main camera feed to appear across more broadcast angles and increasing on-screen presence during matches.

Brands and rightsholders are seeking more creative LED and VBR executions, using both regionalised content and dynamic, data-driven advertising. Regionalisation can range from language variations to tailoring different sub-brands or campaigns for specific markets.

Meanwhile, dynamic advertising technology allows live, match-dependent message changes, such as revealing a special discount only after a key player scores, without disrupting the production workflow.

Integration with Data and Fan Engagement

The future of perimeter advertising isn’t just visual - it’s interactive. With the rise of smart devices, QR codes, and AR-enabled broadcasts, perimeter boards can become gateways for real-time engagement:

  • QR-based offers that appear dynamically during key moments in play

  • Second-screen experiences, where fans scan a board to unlock live stats, exclusive content, or merchandise discounts

  • AI-powered analytics that track viewer engagement across platforms, feeding data back to advertisers instantly

This transformation turns a passive visual into an active part of the fan journey.

Sustainability and Cost Efficiency

With LED hardware in stadiums becoming more prevalent, there will be a significant push for more eco-friendly and energy efficient LED systems.

Leading global venues are keen to ensure energy costs remain as low as possible during non-matchdays. So to resolve this, rather than displaying black content when hardware is not in use, IP-controlled power-management systems that enable the ability to turn hardware off will become the industry-standard technology.

As the top clubs continue to invest in best-in-class technology, older LED systems will continue to move between different stadiums, enabling all clubs, regardless of division, to have the opportunity to implement LED hardware at their venues.

What's Next: Immersive and Personalised Branding

The next decade could bring fully immersive perimeter environments, blending augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR). Fans watching through AR glasses, such as Ray-Ban Meta glasses, or digital platforms might see context-aware ads - brands that adapt to the scoreline, player actions, or even fan sentiment detected on social media.

Imagine a perimeter board that celebrates with fans after a goal, flashes player highlights, or changes color based on team momentum. As personalisation and emotion-driven marketing grow, perimeter advertising will become a storytelling tool rather than just a revenue stream.

In the near future, the question for brands won’t just be “Where is my logo?” but “How does my message interact with every fan - in real time, on every screen, and in every market?”

The perimeter is no longer just the edge of the field - it’s becoming the frontier of innovation in sports marketing.

If you'd like to find out more about LED solutions for your brand or sports organisation, please reach out to [email protected] and a member of our team of experts will be in touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Perimeter advertising refers to the strategic placement of advertisements along the edges or perimeters of a sports field or playing area during live broadcasts or events.

Commonly seen in sports like football, American football, and rugby, perimeter advertising utilises boards, banners, or digital displays situated around the playing surface.

These advertisements often showcase sponsor logos, brand messages, or promotional content and are strategically positioned to capture maximum visibility during televised or streamed broadcasts.

Perimeter advertising serves as a prominent and dynamic method for brands to gain exposure to a large audience, both in-stadium and through broadcast viewership.

The visual impact of perimeter advertising enhances brand recognition, reinforces sponsorships, and contributes to the overall commercial ecosystem of sports, providing a valuable platform for sponsors to connect with sports enthusiasts and consumers.

Virtual advertising, also known as augmented reality (AR) advertising, is a technology-driven form of advertising that involves integrating computer-generated imagery (CGI) or virtual elements into live or recorded content.

This can include inserting digital advertisements, logos, or branding into the broadcast of sporting events, TV shows, or other media.

In the context of sports, virtual advertising is often used to customise advertisements based on the audience's location, creating a more targeted viewing experience. This technology allows advertisers to tailor their messaging for different regions or demographics without physically altering the on-site advertisements.

Virtual advertising enhances brand visibility, enables dynamic content delivery, and provides a more personalised and engaging experience for viewers.

The cost of advertising at football stadiums can vary widely based on several factors, including the size and popularity of the stadium, the specific location of the advertising space, the duration of the advertising campaign, and the level of exposure it offers. Here are some general considerations:

Location: Prime locations such as near the pitch, close to the TV-visible areas, or at high-traffic sections generally command higher prices.

Type of Advertising: Whether it's static signage, LED boards, or digital displays can influence costs. Digital and dynamic advertising spaces tend to be more expensive.

Team Popularity: The popularity and success of the soccer team can impact costs. Advertising in a stadium where a popular team plays may be more expensive.

Event Type: Costs may vary depending on whether it's a regular league match, a cup final, or an international game.

You can find out more about perimeter advertising in the Premier League here.

The TV perimeter boards in the stadium can run your advertisement in different rotations. A range of displays can be used for your advertisement according to the mode. The length of each rotation is typically 30 seconds. The LED perimeter video board technology offers you diverse and versatile types of animation, which can be regularly adapted to your communication campaign using state-of-the-art technology.

Full rotation

Only one sponsor is visible on the entire perimeter board area. This type of rotation creates an uncluttered, homogeneous image with high contact intensity and long communication opportunities.

4:4 rotation

The TV perimeter board area is divided into four sections, and four sponsors are visible within a single rotation. This type of rotation generates visibility and contacts with an optimal combination of quality and quantity.

2:2 rotation

The TV perimeter board area is divided into four sections, with two sponsors each occupying two sections in a single rotation. This type of rotation also generates visibility and contacts with an optimal combination of quality and quantity.

Multisession

With this type of display, up to 14 sponsors are featured in perimeter board sections of equal size at the same time. The focus is on the brand’s logo or slogan. This rotation guarantees high contact figures as each sponsor is visible in every sequence.

Sponsorship and advertising are two distinct but related concepts in the realm of sports marketing.

Sponsorship involves a broader and often ongoing relationship between the brand and the sports entity (team, event, athlete). Sponsors align themselves with the entity and may receive various rights and benefits beyond just visibility.

It aims to build a positive association between the brand and the sports entity, leveraging the entity's image, values, and fan base to enhance brand perception. It tends to involve visible branding but extends beyond traditional advertising. Logos may appear on jerseys, venues, and in promotional materials, providing continuous exposure.

Sponsorships are often long-term, lasting multiple seasons or years. The relationship is sustained over time to build brand affinity. They foster relationships with the sports entity's community and fan base, contributing to long-term brand loyalty. They also provide opportunities for deeper engagement through activations, events, and collaborations beyond traditional advertising channels.

Sponsorship deals often include exclusivity clauses, preventing direct competitors from securing similar sponsorship deals with the same entity. Additionally, they involve negotiated deals that may include a combination of cash, in-kind contributions, and additional benefits beyond simple visibility.

Advertising is typically transactional, where a brand pays for specific ad placements to reach the target audience. The relationship is often short-term and focused on the delivery of a particular message.

It is primarily focused on delivering a specific promotional message or call-to-action to drive immediate engagement, sales, or brand recall. Campaigns are generally shorter in duration, focusing on specific promotional periods or events. Engagement is surface level, delivering a message to the audience without the extended relationship-building seen in sponsorship. The focus is on immediate impact, aiming to capture attention and drive a specific response in a shorter time frame.

Advertising typically involves paid placements in designated spaces, such as TV commercials, billboards, or digital platforms, for a specified duration. It tends to involve a straightforward payment for ad placement based on factors like audience reach, timing, and platform

There is no inherent exclusivity, as multiple brands can advertise during the same event or platform. 

While sponsorship and advertising share the goal of promoting a brand within the sports context, the depth, duration, and nature of the relationship distinguish the two approaches in sports marketing. Many successful sports marketing campaigns integrate both sponsorship and advertising strategies for a comprehensive impact.

SPORTFIVE is a global sports marketing agency that specialises in sports rights, marketing, and entertainment. We work with sports organisations, clubs, and brands to create and optimise commercial opportunities in the sports industry. SPORTFIVE is involved in various aspects of sports business, including the sale of broadcasting rights, sponsorship and partnership management, stadium naming rights, and other marketing initiatives.

SPORTFIVE creates innovative, engaging solutions that are worthy of the incredible sports, athletes and partners we work with, and the passionate fans who follow them. Campaigns are built collaboratively, based on trust and transparency, and enabled by a deep understanding of the industry, the agency’s global reach, digital intelligence and creative courage.

The result is gamechanging sports partnerships that redefine standards in the sports and entertainment space. 

SPORTFIVE believes in the power of five - bringing brands, rights holders, media platforms, fans and ‘us’ together through sport.

SPORTFIVE is a global sports marketing agency that operates in the sports and entertainment industry. The agency specialises in various aspects of sports marketing, including the sale of sports media rights, sponsorship and partnership management, and the creation of marketing strategies for sports organisations, teams, and events. They work with a wide range of clients, including sports leagues, clubs, and brands, helping them maximise their commercial potential in the sports market.

SPORTFIVE is known for its expertise in negotiating and managing broadcasting rights, which involves securing deals for the distribution of sports content through various media channels. Additionally, they are involved in the management of sponsorship agreements, helping sports entities form partnerships with brands for mutual benefit.

SPORTFIVE is a global sports marketing agency that specialises in various aspects of the sports and entertainment industry. The agency works with sports organisations, teams, and brands to optimise commercial opportunities.

One of SPORTFIVE's key areas of focus is the sale and management of sports media rights, including broadcasting and digital distribution deals. They negotiate and facilitate partnerships, sponsorships, and naming rights for sports entities, helping them enhance their brand value and revenue streams.

Additionally, SPORTFIVE provides expertise in marketing strategies, assisting clients in building strong connections with their target audiences. Their comprehensive approach spans across the sports business landscape, from media rights to sponsorship management, contributing to the overall growth and success of their clients in the dynamic world of sports marketing.

Beyond the Match
The SPORTFIVE Magazine

What are you looking for?

Our Topics


Read Insights and Success Stories for specific sports


Back to Home

loading spinner