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LED PITCH PERIMETER BOARDS UEFA LED technical specifications for club competitions (valid as of July 2024)
Introduction and UEFA Champions League
LED pitch perimeter boards LED technical specifications for UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and UEFA Women’s Champions League
2024-2027 cycle
During the 2024-2027 cycle, UEFA will operate LED pitch perimeter advertising boards to all matches in each UEFA Champions League season from the Play Off round until the Final. In the UEFA Europa League, UEFA will continue its operation and use LED pitch perimeter advertising boards at all matches as of the group stage and this will now be the same for the UEFA Conference League. For the UEFA Women’s Champions League, all matches as of the Quarter Finals should be delivered with LED pitch perimeter boards. For all competitions, UEFA plans to use as many existing club LED pitch perimeter boards as possible however, technical specs will be different between UEFA Champions League (incl. Club Finals and SuperCup) and UEFA Europa League, UEFA Europa Conference League and UEFA Women’s Champions League as shown below.
Wherever stadia or clubs which are due to host matches in these competitions acquire a LED system meeting the minimum criteria outlined below, UEFA will survey the system and power set-up once in place, with a view to using it for those matches. Clubs or agencies can also request advice from UEFA ahead of any system purchase or rental deal, although it is the responsibility of the club or agency to make sure any system meets the specifications provided. Full approval from UEFA can only be given once a system can be surveyed on-site. System reviews and acceptance visits will be conducted by UEFA’s independent LED pitch perimeter boards consultant agencies O’Neill Modern Media (OMM) and ATMOS.
UEFA Champions League
New for the UEFA Champions League, at all rounds from the Play-off stage onwards, UEFA would like to use as many club LED pitch perimeter systems as possible according to the technical specs below incl. the operator and technicians. Wherever a club LED system could be used, UEFA will survey the system and power set-up in advance. Once a system is considered suitable and a rental fee has been agreed (incl. technicians and operator), an agreement will be offered by UEFA, in which the system owner takes responsibility and liability for the delivery of a fully functioning system for each match period from midday MD-2 to midday MD+1. As no external overlay supplier (like the previous UEFA Champions League cycle) will be appointed, the club’s LED play out system/software should be used by the usual club’s LED operator. In this case, UEFA would send out a supervisor to assist the Club operator with the playout of UEFA’s partner and corporate messages as long as it is needed.
Set-up Systems which meet the specifications must be set-up in such a way as to conform to UEFA’s needs. This means one continuous system, at least 246m long and 90 cm high, with fully closed corners and no gaps. Boards must be fully visible from the main camera position, ideally running under the crossbar of each goal, or if need be, over the crossbar, but in no cases should the cross-bar bi-sect the board artworks. Content should be fully legible under floodlights, and a system test to match artwork colours and calibrate the host broadcast main camera to those colours will be required on MD-1 in the evening under full match light conditions, whenever possible.
UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League
Controller Unit & Playout Software New for this cycle is the introduction of a minimum requirement for Playout software. As clubs who have an approved LED system will be responsible for the overall delivery of a UCL match, the Playout software which handles the artwork for the LED boards will need to be capable of a few key operations. For example: to be able to PAUSE the running order if there is a penalty during the match, this is needed as to not distract the player taking the penalty. Equally, once the penalty has been taken, the running order must be able to continue from the same moment of the initial pause.
Power Where pitch side power capacity and security of supply can be guaranteed, UEFA will use the club’s existing house power. Consumption costs are to be covered by the clubs. Where the existing house power capacity is not sufficient, or where there is no back-up power source at Semi-Final and Final venues, then UEFA will, at its own cost, bring in a dedicated twin-pack generator to guarantee the operation of the boards.
External systems In the event that a club is unable to provide a LED advertising system meeting the required technical or set-up specifications then UEFA shall provide and install an appropriate system and shall deduct EUR 25’000 per match for such provision from the distribution due to the club for its participation in the competition. Removal of any noncompliant system will be the responsibility of the club and at the cost of the club: the appropriate clean stadium principles continue to apply. In either case, UEFA will cover operational staff costs and costs for artwork adaptation or management.
UEFA Europa League & UEFA Conference League
In UEFA Europa League, at all rounds from the group stage onwards, UEFA would like to use as many club LED pitch perimeter systems as possible according to the technical specs below incl. the operator and technicians. Wherever a club LED system could be used, UEFA will survey the system and power set-up in advance. Once a system is considered suitable and a rental fee has been agreed (incl. technicians and operator), an agreement will be offered by UEFA, in which the system owner takes responsibility and liability for the delivery of a fully functioning system for each match period from midday MD-2 to midday MD+1. As no external overlay supplier (like the previous UEFA Champions League cycle) will be appointed, the club’s LED play out system/software should be used by the usual club’s LED operator. In this case, UEFA would send out a supervisor to assist the operator with the playout of UEFA’s partner and corporate messages as long as it is needed.
Set-up Systems which meet the specifications must be set-up in such a way as to conform to UEFA’s needs for this competition. This means a minimum of 200m covering the touchline and goallines incl the goals and a minimum height of 80 cm. Boards must be fully visible from the main camera position, ideally running under the cross-bar of each goal, or if need be, over the cross-bar, but in no cases should the cross-bar bi-sect the board artworks. Content should be fully legible under floodlights, and a system test to match artwork colours and calibrate the host broadcast main camera to those colours will be required on MD-1 in the evening under full match light conditions, whenever possible.
UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League
Controller Unit & Playout Software New for this cycle is the introduction of a minimum requirement for Playout software. As clubs who have an approved LED system will be responsible for the overall delivery of a UEL/UECL match, the Playout software which handles the artwork for the LED boards will need to be capable of a few key operations. For example: to be able to PAUSE the running order if there is a penalty during the match, this is needed as to not distract the player taking the penalty. Equally, once the penalty has been taken, the running order must be able to continue from the same moment of the initial pause.
External systems Should a stadium not have a system which, at UEFA’s sole discretion, matches UEFA’s required standards, UEFA’s external overlay supplier will bring, install and operate an external system for each such match equal to or better than the quality levels indicated below. Such an operation will be fully at UEFA’s cost. However, clubs are responsible for the cost and operation of removing any existing boarding: for all matches, the appropriate clean stadium principles continue to apply.
Power Where pitch side power capacity and security of supply can be guaranteed, club’s existing house power should be used. Consumption costs are to be covered by the clubs. Where the existing house power capacity is not sufficient, or where there is no back-up power source at Semi-Final and Final venues, then UEFA will, at its own cost, bring in a dedicated twin-pack generator to guarantee the operation of the boards.
UEFA Women’s Champions League
In UEFA Women’s Champions League, at all rounds from the Quarter Finals onwards, UEFA would like to use as many club LED pitch perimeter systems as possible according to the technical specs below. Wherever a club LED system could be used, UEFA will survey the system and power set-up in advance. Once a system is considered suitable and a rental fee has been agreed (incl. technicians and operator), an agreement will be offered by UEFA, in which the system owner takes responsibility and liability for the delivery of a fully functioning system for each match period from midday MD-2 to midday MD+1. As no external overlay supplier (like in UEFA Champions League) will be appointed, the club’s LED play out system should be used by the usual club’s LED operator. In this case, UEFA would send out a supervisor to help the operator with the playout of UEFA’s partner and corporate messages as long as it is needed. Set-up Systems which meet the specifications must be set-up in such a way as to conform to UEFA’s needs for this competition. This means a minimum of 200m covering the touchline and goallines incl the goals and a minimum height of 80 cm. Boards must be fully visible from the main camera position, ideally running under the cross-bar of each goal, or if need be, over the cross-bar, but in no cases should the cross-bar bi-sect the board artworks. Content should be fully legible under floodlights, and a system test to match artwork colours and calibrate the host broadcast main camera to those colours will be required on MD-1 in the evening under full match light conditions, whenever possible.
Controller Unit & Playout Software New for this cycle is the introduction of a minimum requirement for Playout software. As clubs who have an approved LED system will be responsible for the overall delivery of a UWCL match, the Playout software which handles the artwork for the LED boards will need to be capable of a few key operations. For example: to be able to PAUSE the running order if there is a penalty during the match, this is needed as to not distract the player taking the penalty.
Women’s Champions League and key dimensions
Equally, once the penalty has been taken, the running order must be able to continue from the same moment of the
initial pause.
External systems
Should a stadium not have a system which, at UEFA’s sole discretion, matches UEFA’s required standards, UEFA will
setup static boards or bring in a LED system. In this case clubs are responsible for the cost and operation of removing
any existing boarding: for all matches, the appropriate clean stadium principles continue to apply.
Power
Where pitch side power capacity and security of supply can be guaranteed, club’s existing house power should be
used. Consumption costs are to be covered by the clubs. Where the existing house power capacity is not sufficient,
or where there is no back-up power source at Semi-Final and Final venues, then UEFA will, at its own cost, bring in a
dedicated twin-pack generator to guarantee the operation of the boards.
KEY DIMENSIONS
UCL and club competition UEL/UECL/UWCL
finals (incl, SuperCup)
Pixel pitch (3-in-1 SMD) 12.5mm or less 16mm or less
Length Min 246m, closed corners Touchline and goalline to
near 6m line, open corners
allowed (total min of 200m)
Display height (screen only) Min 90cm Min 80cm
Max 120cm Max 120cm
Refresh rate Min 2.800 Hz Min 1.800 Hz
(Still photography must be clearly
visible with an exposure of 1/2000
at 10% brightness level of the LED
system)
OPTICAL
UCL and club competition UEL/UECL/UWCL
finals (incl, SuperCup)
Horizontal viewing angle min 140°, ideal 160° Goalline boards need to be
visible from the 16m camera
(to ensure full visibility of goal-line
boards from 16m and 5m cameras,
with good visibility even from
corner flag)
Optical and mechanical specifications
Vertical viewing angle min 60° min 60°
Luminance min 5500 Nit, ideal 6000 Nit preferred
Pixel-by pixel fine-tuning,
adjustable using software preferred
on-site
Systems pre-calibrated to
white at 6000K; preferred
MECHANICAL
UCL and club competition UEL/UECL/UWCL
finals (incl, SuperCup)
At least 1 spare cabinets in
set-up, location freely preferred
configurable.
Quick-changeable modules.
Module / cabinet change
time <1 min, without
preferred
affecting running system –
i.e. hot-swappable.
Mechanism for access gates
at several locations (if
required), with no signal preferred
interruption.
Safety / emergency exit
gates at several locations
possible (if required), with
signal interruption accepted
in case of emergency use.
Mechanical connectors to
align the system and
minimise gaps between preferred
cabinets.
Mechanical specifications
Black non-glare finishing on
faceplate, and black/dark
neutral colours on cabinet.
No Brand name (or covered
with black sticker/tape)
Weather-protection to IP-65
(front) and IP-54 (back)
standard.
Foot stands must be safely
covered with rubber
protection.
Impact protection for LEDs
and players.
Rubber louvers front and
top to protect cabinets from
impact and players from
injuries.
Rubber padding to fill any
gaps between pitch and
system.
Maintenance and failure
records available.
preferred preferred
Transport casing designed
for efficient storage and
shipping (for transportable
systems).
Complete system can fit into
one standard European 40’
truck (for transportable
systems).
Electrical specifications
ELECTRICAL
UCL and club competition UEL/UECL/UWCL
finals (incl, SuperCup)
European-voltage system
(220-240V / 380-415V,
50Hz).
CEE standard power
connectors for 400V,
alternative power lock
connectors in main power
distribution.
Professional power
connectors like Neutrik
powerCon TRUE1 with IP 65 (other connectors brands accepted
protection. if CE certification is reached)
Heavy, high flex rubber
cabling for outdoor use preferred
(cable type: H07RN-F).
All exposed cabling (incl.
data cabling) must be
protected. Power and Data
on separate cables
Min one breaker (16 A or
less) incl. one RCD 30mA per preferred
(Power loss must be limited to 27m
4m.
per breaker/RCD)
(Power loss must be limited to 4m)
Adjustable RCD 300mA on 30mA accepted if no other
final 125A/63A circuits 3P + RCD are installed between
N including surge stadium main source and
LED
protection.
EMC protection to highest low voltage European
EU standards and standard CE certification is
regulations. sufficient
CE, ROHS, EN, TÜV certifications required for
certifications required plus local technical standard(s) to
Electrical and control specifications
additional required local operate the system in the
technical standard(s) to relevant venue where it will
operate the system in the be used.
relevant venue where it will
be used.
quick-changeable power-
supplies installed within preferred preferred
each LED module.
systems should avoid having
power distribution boxes up
against the rear of the LED
systems: such boxes should
be set back from the preferred preferred
systems so as not to be in
the way of system
maintenance or
photographers / TV camera
positions.
CONTENT CONTROL – DATA INTERFACING
UCL and club competition UEL/UECL/UWCL
finals (incl, SuperCup)
Individual control of
brightness, gamma, colours
of every single preferred
module/cabinet.
Default graphics (auto-
switch feature) installed and
enabled (set to static shared- preferred
rotation) in case of total data
connection loss with server.
In the event of a single
cabinet change, current preferred
data, colours, brightness
Content control and data interfacing
information must be stored
in the cabinets.
System viewed and operated
as one single screen by
control software.
Control signal connection
via two redundant feeding
points. Fibre optic data
cabling from dedicated preferred
controller locations to the
two return side corners.
Data ring loop configured; if
one connection fails an
automatic switch activates
data source from the preferred
opposite section.
Neutrik Ethercon data
connectors or similar
adequate brands with RJ-45
IP 65 protection. (other connectors brands can be accepted if
reach the CE certification)
Neutrik optical single mode
fibre optic cabling (IP 65
(other connectors brands can be accepted if
rated) preferred. CE certification is reached. Double mode
also accepted)
Remote data monitoring
and analysis. preferred preferred
Dual signal servers each on
UPS.
Converter between fibre and
RJ45 on UPS (if not on
system power) preferred preferred
System back to full spec
control after pitch power
loss in < 25 sec.
External controller software
overlay possible; even preferred
number of sending cards
Content control and power
preferred, with symmetrical
set-up (e.g. 2, 4 or 6).
POWER
UCL and club competition UEL/UECL/UWCL
finals (incl, SuperCup)
Safe, secure and
demonstrably reliable pitch-
side power required for
system.
Fully backed-up power / two preferred preferred
independent power sources. (for SF and F essential)
Potential to implement and
connect a fully redundant
twin-pack generator if preferred
existing power is not
sufficient or not considered
reliable enough by UEFA.
PLAYOUT SOFWARE
UCL and club competition UEL/UECL/UWCL
finals (incl, SuperCup)
Ability to pause the Running
order (for a penalty) and
then continue at the same
moment.
Basic colour controls in
order to calibrate colours to
a HB Camera
Ability to include a UEFA
Competition Centre Board
which is a continuous
Content specifications
element throughout all UEFA matches To play 20 second slots without interruption grouped together in different phases (Pre-match, 1st half, Half-time, 2nd half & Post-match) In case you have further questions, please send an email to signage@uefa.ch
