In sporting events, people have always been inclined to keep track of the score. Scoreboards are a must-have, from indoor arenas and gymnasiums to outdoor fields and stadiums.
That said, outdated and manual scoreboards are no longer practical. If you want to create a more powerful impact on your sports venue, upgrading to ultramodern digital scoreboards such as these LED boards can bring you maximum return on investment (ROI).
In this article, you’ll learn the basics of a digital scoreboard and the numerous benefits of upgrading to one.
What Is It A Scoreboard?
Scoreboards are large boards that display scores publicly in a game. Generally, most levels of sports, from high school competitions to professional sports games, use at least one scoreboard for keeping scores, displaying statistics, and showing time.
The Evolution Of Scoreboards
Developed in the late 1800s, the first scoreboards were nothing more than a score tally on a piece of paper or chalkboards. These scoreboards were used to track the progress of horse races and other sports.
Then came the hand-operated scoreboards. These bulky scoreboards needed to be manually updated after each point. Unfortunately, they were challenging to read from afar, particularly in outdoor sporting venues.
Over time, as sports became more competitive and organized, digital scoreboards replaced their manual predecessors in the 1900s. These scoreboards offer a more visible and permanent display and semiautomatically update the score. However, its early use was limited to a few sporting organizations due to its price tag and bulky size.
Fortunately, newer digital scoreboards have become more accessible and convenient. Today, the most advanced scoreboards are those equipped with LED technology, offering far better benefits than early digital scoreboards but without the hefty price tag.
Types Of Digital Scoreboards
When looking for a digital scoreboard for your sporting venue, you’ll come across two types:
- Fixed-Digit Or Numeric Scoreboards
Numeric or fixed-digit scoreboards are old-school digital scoreboards. With this type, only a part of the scoreboard can be digitally controlled. Often, this includes the actual score, team player or player names, key stats, and maybe print-style sports logos or sponsor messages.
Everything else will be fixed. Due to their simplicity, a numeric digital scoreboard is cheaper and easier to control. They are often installed permanently at a sports ground, either on a building or freestanding. However, smaller numeric scoreboards can be moved between courts or fields or stored away when unused.
- Video Or LED Scoreboards
A LED scoreboard is the latest innovation in scoreboard technology. Although LED boards are more expensive than numeric ones, they offer a better in-game experience. They look better and can display any content you want, including live-action replays.
You can think of them as huge TV screens in sports venues. Please note that LED scoreboards will require sophisticated setups and software to run. However, it will all be worth it in the long run.
The Benefits Of Modern Digital Scoreboards

Digital scoreboards, especially LED scoreboards, offer numerous benefits that manual scoreboards can’t match. Here are some of them.
- Seamless Viewing And Clear Display
The most significant benefits of a digital scoreboard are that it provides a seamless viewing experience. Modern LED scoreboards often have frameless edges and increased luminosity for wider viewing angles.
Also, LED displays aren’t affected by ambient lighting, meaning that any lighting condition won’t affect what’s displayed on the screen. Having a light of its own, LED technology creates far brighter, crisper, and clearer images than other types of scoreboards.
With their superior image clarity, LED scoreboards are a must-have for specific environments such as outdoor sporting venues.
- Content Flexibility
Unlike their predecessors, digital scoreboards offer better content flexibility. Even numeric digital scoreboards allow you to change specific content on the board. Meanwhile, LED scoreboards provide the ultimate flexibility. You can change the layout or colors of the event, display videos, sponsor announcements, ads, sports betting details, or any content you want, especially for nonsporting events.
- Multimedia Capabilities
Aside from displaying scores, modern digital scoreboards also come with multimedia capabilities that can further enhance the game-watching experience for fans.
For instance, music and other audio-visual effects can be played through the scoreboard. This makes it a true all-in-one entertainment system, adding overall excitement and a fun atmosphere to the event.
- Easier Installation And Operation
Digital scoreboards, especially LED boards, are lightweight and have thin structures. This makes installing and setting up these large screens on sporting sites easier. Moreover, they’re also easier to dismantle and transport from one sporting venue to another.
Digital scoreboards can be semi- or fully automatic. With such operations, you can save time and manpower on manually updating the score. It also helps prevents errors and mistakes during the game.
- Longevity And Cost-Efficiency
Digital scoreboards, especially LED systems, don’t come cheap. However, it can pay for itself in the long term. LED technology is known to be long-lasting. LED scoreboard displays are designed to last much longer than traditional scoreboards, saving you money and time.
Most manufacturers claim their outdoor digital scoreboards can last up to 10 years. That’s 10 years of practice, sports tournaments, and other special events. In addition, LED scoreboards typically have low-maintenance requirements. Also, the capabilities of an advanced LED scoreboard can reduce the cost of events, requiring you to rent or purchase extra equipment, such as spotlights.
- Prices Of Digital Scoreboards
Generally, basic digital scoreboards are affordable. Portable digital scoreboards can cost less than a hundred dollars. However, for LED scoreboards, you can expect to shell out hundreds to thousands of dollars.
The final price of your digital scoreboard will depend on several factors, including the size of the screen, type, additional hanging provisions, control unit connection, and installation location.
Takeaway
There’s no denying that digital scoreboard technology is fast becoming the new standard for eye-catching and engaging displays in sporting venues. A high-quality digital scoreboard can enhance the overall in-game experience, keeping the audience engaged and bringing life to any sporting site.