BROOKINGS, S.D. – A new 11-display centerhung system graces Food City Center in Knoxville, Tenn., as Daktronics has partnered with the University of Tennessee to design, manufacture and install a total of 24 LED displays. When basketball returns to the third-largest on-campus basketball arena for the 2025-26 season, the new system will be in place and ready to inform and entertain fans at every event.
“An essential part of our partnership with Food City is the chance to reinvest in the fan experience, and the upgrades to the video boards are nothing short of impressive,” Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White said. “We are proud to have the most dedicated fan base in all of sports, and we are unwavering in our commitment to continually elevate their experience.”
Centerhung Display Details
Four main video displays each measure nearly 15 feet high by 24.5 feet wide. Four corner wedge displays fit between the main displays for a seamless experience. Each of those displays measures nearly 15 feet high by 5 feet wide. The main displays are each capable of variable content zoning allowing each to show one large image or multiple zones of live video, instant replays, statistics, game information, graphics, animations and sponsorship messages.
Below the main displays, a ring display measures more than 3 feet high by 103 feet in circumference. This provides supplemental graphics and information to the main displays. On the underside of the centerhung, two displays are angled toward the sidelines to appeal to those people sitting closer to the court. Each underbelly display measures nearly 6 feet high by 20 feet wide. All centerhung displays feature 5.9-millimeter pixel spacing.
“The University of Tennessee is on the cutting edge of innovative trends in collegiate athletics, so continuing the Daktronics partnership is a natural progression of maximizing the fan experience and providing a massive home court advantage,” Daktronics regional sales manager Josh Francois said.
Additional Display Details
Each corner of the arena features a corner board, four in total, to bring additional views of replays, stats and messaging. Each measures nearly 11 feet high by 18 feet wide and features a 5.9-millimeter pixel spacing.
Circling the seating bowl, a 360-degree ribbon display is mounted to the seating fascia. This display measures approximately 2.5 feet high by nearly 880 feet in length and features a 10-millimter pixel spacing. Along the sidelines, 6 scorers tables can be organized in any configuration to meet the needs of the university. Four display measure roughly 2.5 feet high by 10 feet wide while 2 measure 2.5 feet high by 6.5 feet wide. All six feature 3.9-millimeter pixel spacing. These displays deliver additional sponsorship opportunities while also delivering supplemental game information and graphics.
Outside the arena, two marquee displays welcome fans and guests. Each measures 9.5 feet high by 25.5 feet wide and features 10-millimeter pixel spacing. These versatile displays can be used to promote upcoming events, show live games, entice fans with classic highlights and provide many other messaging opportunities for the university.
Daktronics has grown with the sports industry from the company’s beginnings in 1968. Today, the company has LED video display installations at hundreds of colleges and universities across the United States. For more information on what Daktronics can provide for the collegiate market, visit www.daktronics.com/college.
About University of Tennessee
Founded Sept. 10, 1794, in Knoxville, Tenn., as Blount College, the University of Tennessee began playing sports in 1891. Over the last century-plus, Tennessee has developed into one of the nation’s premier athletic departments. Home to the Volunteers and Lady Volunteers, all clad in the University’s distinguished and recognizable Big Orange, UT has produced 24 team national championships, nearly 200 individual national championships and well over 200 conference titles. Tennessee student-athletes excel not only in the competition venue, but also in the classroom and the community.
About Food City Center
The prolific Tennessee basketball programs, which own a combined 48 SEC titles, compete in Food City Center. The facility, which opened in 1987, was rebranded in 2023 as part of a multi-year naming-rights agreement with longtime Tennessee Athletics corporate champion Food City. Numerous renovations, including the new state-of-the-art centerhung, were an integral component of the partnership.
About Daktronics
Daktronics helps its customers to impact their audiences throughout the world with large-format LED video displays, message displays, scoreboards, digital billboards, audio systems and control systems in sport, business and transportation applications. Founded in 1968 as a USA-based manufacturing company, Daktronics has grown into the world leader in audiovisual systems and implementation with offices around the globe. Discover more at http://www.daktronics.com/.
