UNC Upgrades Stadium With New LED Displays

For the 100th anniversary of Kenan Stadium, Daktronics is installing a total of 11 new LED displays at UNC, providing more than 10,000 square feet of digital space for videos, statistics, replays, and new fan experiences.

Rendering of the upgraded Kenan Stadium featuring new LED video boards and ribbon displays designed to enhance the game-day experience for UNC fans. Image: Daktronics

Delivering a new game-day experience to Tar Heels fans at Kenan Stadium, Daktronics of Brookings, South Dakota, partnered with the University of North Carolina (UNC) in Chapel Hill to manufacture and install 11 LED displays totaling more than 10,000 square feet – roughly one square foot for every five seats in the stadium – and more than 14.7 million LEDs. Two main video displays mirror each other at the ends of the stadium, while sideline ribbon, west end super ribbon and east end ribbon displays round out the LED installation taking place in 2026.

"We are excited to recognize 100 seasons of Kenan Stadium by honoring the program's alumni, elevating the fan experience from pregame to postgame and enhancing our historic facility,” said Steve Newmark, executive associate director of athletics at UNC. “As we cheer on the 2026 Tar Heels, we will also commemorate the past while continuing to build toward the future."

Main Video Display Details

Two main video displays will be installed, one on the east end and one on the west end. Each will measure 31.5 feet high by 106.5 feet wide and feature 8-millimeter pixel spacing to deliver crisp, clear imagery with wide-angle visibility to appeal to fans in every seat of Kenan Stadium.

“We’re honored to be working with the University of North Carolina on this video display project,” said Corey Williams, Daktronics sales representative. “The new displays will enhance an already amazing game-day experience for Tarheel fans, and to be a part of the 100th year of football at Kenan Stadium is very special.” 

These main video displays are capable of variable content zoning, allowing the school to feature the right mix of content to ensure an exciting, memorable game-day experience. Each can display one large image or multiple zones of content ranging from live video and instant replays to game information and statistics to graphics and animations. They can also highlight sponsors and partners with messaging and branding.

Ribbon Display Details

Nine ribbon boards will be installed around the seating bowl of the stadium. This includes two west end super ribbons, a north and a south sideline ribbon, two east tunnel ribbons, two east lower ribbons, and one east upper ribbon. The west super ribbons are approximately 4 feet high, while all the other ribbons are roughly 2 feet high.

Each ribbon display will also feature 8-millimeter pixel spacing for excellent clarity and contrast. Combined, these ribbons add 1,450 linear feet of digital displays to supplement content and statistics on the main displays and to highlight sponsors around the seating bowl of Kenan Stadium.

All of these displays feature Daktronics’ industry-leading environmental protection, ensuring each operates as expected in the North Carolina outdoors. (stadiaworld, 22.05.2026)