From Scoreboards to Video Displays - The Evolution of Stadium Visual Technology
The evolution of visual technology in NPB stadiums began with manual scoreboards. Until the 1960s, score displays relied on staff manually replacing number plates behind the scoreboard. Electronic scoreboards were introduced in the 1970s, and the installation of a Diamond Vision at Seibu Stadium (now Belluna Dome) in 1985 pioneered large video displays. Subsequently, the transition from CRT to LED technology progressed, and ultra-high-definition 4K displays appeared in the 2010s. The largest display in current NPB stadiums belongs to ES CON Field HOKKAIDO, which opened in 2023. The main display area reaches approximately 600 square meters and is utilized not only for game footage but also for real-time data display and entertainment content delivery. Notably, the role of displays has expanded from information presentation to production equipment. Video productions between innings, special effects for home runs, and interactive content for audience participation have made displays an indispensable element of stadium atmosphere creation.
The Wave of Communication Infrastructure and Cashless Adoption
The foundation of smart stadiums is high-speed communication infrastructure. In stadiums where 30,000 to 40,000 spectators simultaneously use smartphones, regular cellular networks alone become congested. Major NPB stadiums began installing high-density Wi-Fi around 2018, and by 2023, free Wi-Fi was available at all 12 stadiums. 5G deployment has also begun, with PayPay Dome establishing a 5G area in 2020 and conducting real-time multi-angle video streaming experiments. Progressing alongside communication infrastructure was the cashless transformation within stadiums. ES CON Field HOKKAIDO adopted a completely cashless policy from opening, accepting no cash payments whatsoever. While this decision drew mixed reactions, it delivered clear benefits in improved concession turnover rates and reduced wait times. Cashless payment ratios at other stadiums have been rising annually, with NPB's overall cashless payment ratio reportedly exceeding 60% in the 2024 season. Mobile ordering systems allowing fans to order food and beverages from their seats and pick up at designated locations are also expanding.
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AR and VR Opening New Viewing Experiences
At the cutting edge of stadium technology are innovations in viewing experiences utilizing AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality). NPB began proof-of-concept experiments for AR-enhanced viewing services around 2022. AR applications have been developed that display pitch trajectories and batted ball speeds in real-time on screen when a smartphone camera is pointed at the field. The SoftBank Hawks are promoting their Super Stadium concept at PayPay Dome, aiming to provide viewing experiences with AR glasses. VR technology is attracting attention as a remote viewing service for fans who cannot attend the stadium. Services are being experimentally offered where game footage captured by 360-degree cameras can be viewed through VR headsets, allowing fans to experience stadium atmosphere from home. An even more advanced initiative is free-viewpoint video technology. This technology synthesizes footage from dozens of cameras installed in the stadium, allowing viewers to watch the game from any angle. Joint experiments between NTT and NPB are underway. If commercialized, this technology would enable viewing from previously impossible perspectives, such as from behind the pitcher or from the batter's eye view.
Smart Stadium Challenges and NPB's Outlook
While the evolution of stadium technology enriches the viewing experience, it also highlights several challenges. First is the digital divide. For elderly fans and those unfamiliar with digital devices, cashless systems and app-dependent services present high barriers. Improvement requests from senior citizen groups have been submitted regarding ES CON Field's complete cashless policy. Second is the concern about diluting the essence of watching games through excessive technology dependence. The observation that increasing numbers of spectators spend time looking at smartphone screens rather than directly watching the play in front of them is common to both MLB and NPB. Third is the technology gap between stadiums. There is a significant difference in available services between state-of-the-art venues like ES CON Field and PayPay Dome and aging stadiums over 30 years old. NPB's future challenge is positioning technology as a means rather than an end, utilizing it to amplify the essential appeal of watching baseball. How to reconcile cutting-edge technology with the primal joy of watching live baseball at the stadium will determine the true success of smart stadiums.
Books on AR/VR and sports viewing are also helpful references