University of Illinois Moves Forward with College Sports’ Largest Digital Scoreboard

The University of Illinois in Champaign, Ill., recently announced a series of upgrades to Gies Memorial Stadium that will include the largest scoreboard in college sports, according to a news release. The university is collaborating with Anthony James Partners (AJP) for the project, which will include planning design, support, and construction services. The project also entails stadium audio and broadcast system upgrades.

The new scoreboard will measure 69 feet high by 250 feet wide, measuring in at more than 17,300 square feet of LED surface. Its 10mm pixel pitch and 16.1-million total pixels create a 195% increase in resolution from the existing technology. Completion is scheduled before the beginning of the 2026 college football season. According to the news release, it will replace the stadium’s existing South End Zone display.

“This project exemplifies AJP’s commitment to combining innovative design with next-generation audio technology,” said Jack Covert, Anthony James Partners’ Vice President of Audio Engineering. “Gies Memorial Stadium’s new system will deliver the clarity, power, and excitement today’s fans expect from a premier college football venue.”

Stadium-wide improvements also include 16 additional LED displays totaling more than 26,700 square feet scattered across the stadium. Alongside the upgraded technology, the stadium will undergo structural and infrastructure coordination to accommodate the main scoreboard’s size.

The university chose Daktronics to provide the LED display after a “competitive procurement process,” the news release reports.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Rowan University, HPE Partner on New Learning Initiative

    Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J., recently announced that it has expanded its partnership with enterprise technology provider HPE to improve research capabilities and hands-on learning opportunities, according to a news release.

  • Johns Hopkins Starts Construction on New Residence Hall, Dining Facility

    The Homewood Campus of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md., recently began construction on a new residence hall and dining facility, according to university news. The work involves demolishing the existing Alumni Memorial Residence Hall I, which was built in 1923, to make room for the new facility.

  • S4L Announces 2026 Education Design Showcase Winners

    Spaces4Learning is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2026 Education Design Showcase! Now in its 27th year, the annual awards program honors innovative solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction across K–12 and higher education.

  • Designing Third Spaces That Do What AI Can't

    In 2026, education is evolving faster than ever. With AI reshaping everything from lesson planning to personalized instruction, schools and universities are turning their attention to what AI can’t replicate: spaces that foster collaboration, community, and creativity.