Photo courtesy of Sports Labs

By Mary Helen Sprecher

Stadiums, in particular, have undergone drastic changes— though other sports

arenas have as well. Videoboards have brought animation, light and color to games, pumping up the interest and keeping spectators engaged during downtime. And LED lighting has eliminated glare and light overspill, making facilities better neighbors to the residences around them. Technology is running the show, strengthening security, helping to coordinate communication, and ultimately boosting the quality of the fan experience.

Photo courtesy of Paragon Sports Constructors, LLC

Some technologies are related to both athletes and facilities. This past year, Major League Baseball brought in the Automated Ball-Strike( ABS) Challenge System, powered by T-Mobile. The system had been in use in Minor League Baseball( MiLB) since 2022, and MLB actually test-drove it at Spring Training last year. But it was ultimately instituted following a poll of fans and approval by the Joint Competition Committee in September of 2025.

At the recent World Cup, FIFA used semi-automated offside technology( SAOT), goalline technology and artificial intelligence, all of which relied on connected match balls, dedicated tracking cameras and data algorithms to send precise positional information directly to live referees, who made all final calls in each match.

Photo courtesy of Sports Turf Company, Inc.

But sports fields are certainly not the first venues to experience robotic oversight. Tennis actually instituted electronic line calling, starting with various systems in the 1970s and‘ 80s; however, it was not until 2006 that the US Open became the first Grand Slam tournament to institute it.

However, it’ s not just at the highest levels of sports that technology has become prevalent. Player analysis technology is used at the youth level as a coaching tool. These systems( which also can be invaluable in recruitment camps and showcases) work by combining camera tracking, wearable GPS sensors and artificial intelligence to capture real-time data on each player.

Livestreaming has become ubiquitous, and can be found everywhere from Little League fields to international venues. Multiple governing bodies, in fact, have created sponsorship endorsements with various platforms.

Within sports facilities themselves, however, some developments have literally changed the game for athletes, and in many cases for fans as well:

Photo courtesy of CHA Sports

A total of 400 LED lights are set up in one-meter increments along the inside of a 400- meter running track. The lights are programmable to illuminate in sequence, allowing runners to pursue precise split times. The lights also act as a robotic opponent, encouraging athletes to keep up with or surpass them. In this sense, it can allow an athlete to train against an opponent, based on his or her running pattern. Within the marketplace, pacing systems are available in varying degrees of sophistication( and commensurate price points) to suit the needs of buyers, from high schools to elite training programs.

Some gyms( particularly those in arenas) have transitioned to sports flooring made of safety glass with embedded LED lights, allowing playing lines to be illuminated directly on the surface— which can also be used for messages from sponsors and other in-game activations.

Field care continues to advance as well. In some high-end facilities, below-ground moisture sensors can detect dryness in the soil and prompt the irrigation system to turn on, then to switch off when the soil has reached the necessary level of saturation.

Photo courtesy of Verde Design, Inc

Keeping grass fields playable in changing conditions has long been a challenge, particularly in the face of heavy use. The advent of underground HVAC systems has allowed groundskeepers to force warm air in to melt snow or ice in the winter; in warmer weather, such systems are able to push in cooler air to lower soil temperature and keep grass from becoming stressed. Additionally, these systems can remove water to help the field stay dry and avoid the potential for it to become a muddy, rutted mess.

The same technology nurseries have long used to keep commercial stock in good condition has now moved into the sports field industry. LED lights in stadiums are helping grass stay healthy and strong( particularly in shady spots).

Hybrid turf fields use a mixture of natural grass reinforced with synthetic fibers. Hybrid turf products are divided into two categories: permanent systems, where the upright fibers become part of the soil structure; and mat systems, which are similar to turf stabilization products, except that the fibers extend above

the infill layer. The synthetic fibers typically make up +/-5 % of the total canopy.

And in case you were wondering, most hybrid fields require care similar to that of traditional grass fields: Mowing, irrigating, fertilizing and pest management will make up most of the work; however, they may also need aeration, verti-cutting, power brooming, etc.

Photo courtesy of Ana Garnica on Unsplash

Note that hybrid turf fields require specific expertise to install; those who are interested in these systems should speak to a qualified field builder.

Photo courtesy of Dave Sherrill on Unsplash

Many stadiums have added playgrounds to keep younger fans engaged; in response to increasing concerns regarding falls, most playgrounds include some type of safety surfacing. And while mulch and wood chips are often used, synthetic surfaces are growing in popularity and prevalence

These surfaces represent more of an investment on the part of the facility owner; however, they generally last longer and are generally considered playable in

a shorter amount of time following rain. Rubber surfacing options include poured-in-place and rubber matting / tiles, as well as shredded rubber.( In some cases, synthetic turf is being used as well.)

ASTM publishes specifications not only for fall height regarding surfacing materials, but for accessibility standards of materials used. Those interested in the most current information should refer to ASTM for its standards for specific information on each type of surface with regard to its use in

playground installations.

Mary Helen Sprecher wrote this article on behalf of the American Sports Builders Association( ASBA). Recommended reading from ASBA is listed below; for information or to order, visit www. sportsbuilders. org and mouse over the top blue toolbar reading“ Resources:”

Courts & Recreational Surfaces: Construction and Maintenance Manual

Tennis Courts: Construction & Maintenance Manual

Running Tracks: A Construction and Maintenance Manual Sports Fields: Construction & Maintenance Manual Indoor Wood Sports Surfacing: Installation &

Maintenance Manual Pickleball Courts: Construction & Maintenance

Manual Padel Courts: Installation & Maintenance Manual