Gila River Arena to install HD videoboard by Coyotes’ home opener

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Coyotes game-day experience will be considerably bigger, considerably sharper and considerably louder this season. The team announced Thursday that it has partnered with the City of Glendale and arena manager AEG to purchase and install a high-definition videoboard at Gila River Arena to replace the standard-definition board that has been there since the arena opened in 2003.

The Daktronics, center-hung display system was purchased from another arena and is just a few years old. It will be supplemented by auxiliary displays. It will be ready for the home opener Oct. 6 when the Coyotes host the Anaheim Ducks. The Coyotes did not divulge what the board cost but it is believed the cost of a new board today would be in excess of $10 million.

“We are very grateful to the City of Glendale and AEG for partnering with us to create a more dynamic and engaging atmosphere at all of our Coyotes games with the videoboard,” Coyotes president and CEO Ahron Cohen said in a press release.

Per the release, the custom-designed video display weighs about 56,000 pounds and features an open and curved look with four convex, high-definition video displays along with two lower, sideline facing displays.

The two displays facing the sidelines are 24 feet high by 42 feet wide and feature 6-millimeter line spacing that provides 1080p HD imagery. The two displays facing the goals each measure 16 feet high by 27.5 feet wide and feature 6-millimeter line spacing to provide 720p HD imagery.

The center-hung board totals 2,896 square feet of active display area. Each of the displays can highlight live video and replays but can also be divided into multiple windows to show any combination of game information, statistics, animations, sponsor messages or more.

Two additional video displays will be angled out from the bottom of the center board for fans, players and coaches that are rink-side and close to the action. Each display will measure about 8.5 feet high by 16 feet wide and feature 6-millimeter line spacing. Those displays will supplement content shown on the main video displays.

“We know that our fans have a lot entertainment choices and we need to constantly strive to provide a great and enjoyable experience at all of our games,” Cohen said. “Through traveling around the league and seeing games at other arenas, there’s so much that teams can do to make the game come to life throughout the entire arena with a dynamic scoreboard. This will put us in the upper echelon in the entire NHL in terms of the best scoreboards.

“In addition to our improved fan experience, it will give us a great platform to showcase content from our corporate and community partners. The scoreboard also gives us the opportunity to do a lot of cool things outside of the game experience, such as away-game watch parties, movie nights, and a whole host of other applications. The sky is the limit.”

In addition to the desire to upgrade the board, a Coyotes official said the city and team wanted to replace the original scoreboard because its manufacturer is no longer providing technical and repair support and replacement parts are difficult to find.

“Through the NHL draft and free agency, the Coyotes’ front office has put together one of the most exciting and improved teams in the NHL,” Glendale City Manager Kevin Phelps said via the release. “With the scoreboard and a skilled young team that had one of the best records in the NHL from January on, I am more excited than ever for the start of the new season.”

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