Philadelphia Union, Subaru Park

Scope of Work: Design, Financial Modeling, Procurement and Oversight.
Product Categories: LED Display Systems, Scoring, Integrated Digital and Static Signage, Video Replay System (Control Room, Camera System, LED Front End Controls, etc.), Distributed Display System (IPTV).

AJP was contracted as Owner’s Representative and AV Consultant for large-scale technology for the Philadelphia Union’s state-of-the-art, 18,500-seat Major League Soccer stadium. The Union celebrated the announcement of their new naming rights sponsor with the unveiling of a new, high definition LED scoreboard over the west stands, and opened in the Spring of 2021 with Pitchside and Ribbon board LED Displays, a brand new broadcast production space, Video Replay System and IPTV system.

AJP started the project by working with Philadelphia to provide a full menu of potential AV upgrades, enabling the organization to pick and choose technology options to best suit their needs and budgets. AJP pricing models provided true product and integration costs—including details such as infrastructure and operational costs, internal management and administration fees, service and warranty costs, bonding and tax liability, etc.—giving the organization a crystal clear picture of possibilities along with financial realities.

AJP’s primary video board design is first the HDR-compatible videoboard in a Philadelphia sports venue and the first in any MLS soccer-specific venue. The “Subaru Park” branded display measures 109 feet wide x 32 feet high—a 281% increase in screen size and a 200% increase in resolution compared to the team’s old board. The new stadium was also outfitted with Pitchside LED displays at field level and LED Ribbon Board displays atop the seating bowl.

AJP’s scope included the AV design, procurement and construction oversight of an integrated TV system, with 200 new monitors placed around the stadium, including the main concourse.

For broadcast production, AJP worked closely with the Union’s production crew to re-imagine the production space. The Technical Operations Center was relocated, requiring a complete overall of MEP and Fire Suppression to meet the demands of the TOC. Walls were moved or removed. New walls, floor ceilings and windows were added, along with new mechanical systems to keep everything cool.

The decision was made early to create a full 1080P HDR system from the camera lens to the video board itself. This was achieved with (4) 4K CMOS Based HD cameras and the latest in camera wireless technology, with a 4K H.264 transmitter with pull paint capability. Multiple robotic cameras were employed for the press conference room and team entrance, along with several full HD weatherproof POV cameras, all using a fiber/SMPTE transport system connecting back to the TOC. The system involved a 3 M/E 36×25 switcher loaded with all features, with a 2×6 monitor wall, a dual channel CG and four channel clips. The replay system is a 12×10 system that houses the High Frame Rate Cameras along with the other production cameras.

The control room features workstations for all Front of House operations, as well as Director and Producer stations, and a complete shading station for control of the entire production facility. The TOC centers around a 128×128 router with full terminal gear. Recording of the program feed is accomplished using a four channel drive based HDD recorder. There is full IP-based intercom throughout the facility, including the IP based wireless belt packs to keep the production team mobile. To control all of the video assets around the facility, the LED Front End is a Ross Video Tessera System with Ross Dashboard workflow to allow for maximum flexibility.

The Philadelphia Inquirer, www.inquirer.com
May 9, 2021

UNION’S STADIUM NOW CALLED SUBARU PARK WITH NEW NAMING RIGHTS DEAL

It’s the first time that Subaru, whose U.S. headquarters is in Camden, has done a naming rights deal like this with any major league sports team worldwide.

The Union and Subaru announced a major new sponsorship deal Tuesday that will see the team’s stadium in Chester renamed as Subaru Park.

It’s the first time that the Japanese car manufacturer, whose U.S. headquarters is in Camden, has done a deal like this with any major-league sports team.

The financial value of the deal was not disclosed, but what is known is that it’s the first fully new sponsor for the stadium since the Union launched a decade ago. Previous sponsor Talen Energy was a spinoff of the stadium’s original sponsor, Allentown-based utility company PPL. The stadium’s name changed from PPL Park to Talen Energy Stadium after the 2015 season…MLS commissioner Don Garber came down from the league’s New York headquarters for the occasion, and said he was impressed by the deal.

“With all of the different partners that our teams have and the league has, I don’t think I’ve really met one that really is focused so much on giving back into the community,” Garber said, “and trying to find ways that their company can improve our environment, improve society and really make this country a better place.”

The Union also announced a trio of major enhancements to the stadium complex. The most prominent is a new video board over the west stands, where the old video board stood. It will span 109 feet by 32 feet, offering a 281% increase in screen size and a 200% increase in resolution compared to the old board. There will also be new LED ribbon boards at field level and atop the seating bowl, and more than 200 new monitors around the stadium, including the main concourse.

Under the River End stands, the Union will launch a high-end lounge called the Tunnel Club. It soft-opened last year, and is now fully operational for fans with some of the highest-end tickets. Also, the Union have built three new parking lots on land they bought across the train tracks from the stadium. If you drive a Subaru, you’ll have a shot at one of 30 free spaces in Lot B, next to the practice fields.