SPORTS & CEREMONIES 71
As another nail- biting World Cup draws to a close, we check out the pro AV tools that helped the host nations score an immersive fan experience unlike any other Words Oliver Webb
duration only served to demonstrate technology’s transformative impact on the global sport and fan experience landscape. And whether or not you agree with the controversial, and lengthy, half- time show during the final, it did provide one last chance for the innovations in live entertainment tech to make their mark. We’re here to highlight some tech moments that stood out to us, and understand what the audio-visual industry’s role might be for future major sporting competitions. FAN FESTS Ross Video played a central role at the World Cup this year – and was involved in just about every match and event. The company provided AV solutions and live production services for the in-stadium entertainment, across hospitality spaces and in fan zones at host cities. Jake Bronson, broadcast engineer at Ross Video, worked on-site in HyperMax-1, the 43ft expandable mobile production truck at Kansas City FIFA Fan Festival. The crew were on-site from the start of the tournament as the truck was the main central point for all the video and audio networking, with everything distributing from the truck to the main site. The FIFA Fan Festival was set up at the National WW1 Museum and Memorial, with lots of room for fans to
matches took place across 16 different venues in three countries for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The latest edition also saw a record 48 teams participating, with Curaçao, Cape Verde (everyone’s favourite underdog), Uzbekistan and Jordan all making their debuts on the world stage. FIFA reported a staggering 20 billion video views across different platforms. The tournament featured referee body cams, 3D digital player avatars for offside reviews as well as huge stadium upgrades. It was a World Cup packed with controversy and surprises. Keeping fans entertained throughout the chaos was a clear priority, and for anyone who has been to a sporting event in the US, it’s evident that this doesn’t just extend to football. During the hydration breaks (I won’t get started on my disdain for these), Opus’ Live Is Life blasted through the stadiums. On one occasion, players weren’t allowed to continue the match until the song had reached its course. Hosted at some of North America’s most iconic venues and stadia, the AV on display throughout the tournament’s
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