A Simple Game Day Guide for Beginners
Live sporting event production can feel overwhelming at first. Football, basketball, hockey or soccer, all games can be fast paced and action packed at times, and when they aren’t, it’s your turn to keep the crowd’s energy up. The good news is that a great game day experience does not require a massive crew or complex systems. With planning, organization, and the right graphics, even a small team can deliver a professional and exciting presentation.
This guide walks through the basic phases of a live sporting event production, from the moment fans arrive to the final graphic after the game ends. Along the way, you will see examples of in-game and scripted animations that can be used to enhance your event and keep fans engaged.
As Fans Arrive
Game day production starts long before the first whistle. As fans enter the venue, your visuals set the tone for the entire experience. This is the time to build excitement, make announcements, and clearly communicate who is playing. Perhaps most importantly its an excellent opportunity for you to maximize ROI and get your sponsor’s names, logos and offers out there for people to see.
Common graphics during this phase include animated team logos, announcement slides and matchup graphics. Any of these slides can become sponsorship opportunities but getting a matchup sponsor may be especially effective as both sets of bleachers will be excited to see their team’s logos displayed in lights. We have a variety of options that can all be customized to your schools’ colors, mascot and sport.
[Football Helmet Animation]
[Cyclone VS Animation]
Finally, this pregame time is also a great opportunity to test your system and confirm that everything is working before the game begins.
Before the Game Starts
As tipoff or kickoff approaches, your content should become more focused and informative. This is when fans expect to learn who is playing and when the action will start.
Scripted elements—like a starting lineup graphic—are one of the most important elements in this phase. These animations introduce players, build anticipation, and energize the crowd. Many productions also use countdown clocks to clearly show how much time remains until the game begins. At this stage, having your graphics organized and queued ahead of time is critical. A simple checklist and a clear order of operations can make this process smooth, even for a small production team.
[Neon Lineup]
[Comix Tipoff]
Game Time
Once the game begins, your production shifts from Scripted elements into live response mode. This is where preparation really pays off.
Scoring moments are the most impactful “in-game” graphics you will run. Touchdown, goal, three pointer, or home run animations should be ready to play instantly. These moments drive crowd energy and make your event feel exciting and polished.
[Make Noise]
[Star Three Points]
[Halftime Sponsor]
During breaks in play, you can use fan engagement graphics such as noise meters, crowd prompts, or quick sponsor animations. A score bug or scoreboard layout should remain visible or easily accessible so fans can always see the score, time, and period.
Finally, halftime is another key moment for you to take advantage of sponsorship opportunities. Finding a title sponsor for the halftime show, upcoming theme night promotions, or a play of the game will keep fans engaged while the teams are off the floor or field, while at the same time maximizing you’re the ROI on a LED video board.
Post Game Show
When the final buzzer sounds, your production is not quite finished. Post game graphics help wrap up the experience and leave a positive lasting impression.
A final score graphic is essential and should be clear and easy to read. From there, you can transition to thank you sponsor messages, upcoming event promotions, or general closing visuals as fans exit the venue. This phase is often overlooked, but it is a valuable opportunity to reinforce partnerships, promote future games, and end the night on a professional note.
[Thank You]
[Sponsor Animation]
Conclusion
Running a live sporting event production does not have to be complicated. By breaking game day into simple phases and preparing your graphics in advance, you can create a smooth and engaging experience for fans, athletes, and sponsors. Whether you are managing a high school gymnasium, a small college arena, or a semipro venue, the right animations and a clear plan can dramatically elevate your game day presentation. Check out the other Gameday Guides here to help you build confidence, find inspiration, and take the next step in improving your sports production.