Case Study: European League of Football (ELF)

Two screens featuring the European League of Football logo, part of a live stream broadcast with VIZRT Arena software

OnAir-Graphics provides VIZ Live Graphics for European League of Football (ELF)

European League of Football (ELF): OnAir-Graphics Delivered Comprehensive Broadcast Graphics and Innovative Scouting Tools

The European League of Football (ELF) is a rapidly growing professional American Football league in Europe, founded in 2021.

It is characterized by its innovative approach to broadcasting and the use of modern technologies to make the complex game accessible and exciting for a broad European audience.

OnAir-Graphics was a key partner for the ELF, providing extensive broadcast graphics for this prominent league. Our work included not only the complete creation of Vizrt scene builds but also the development of an innovative scouting tool. This enabled the visual presentation of American Football at the highest level, from regular season games to the grand final.

Cloud-Based Production for Dynamic Football Broadcasts

As your partner for graphic solutions, OnAir-Graphics’ expertise was a crucial building block for the quality of these sports broadcasts. American Football places unique demands on broadcast technology, requiring complex plays, constant position changes, and precise timing elements to be displayed in real time. We prioritized maximum reliability and professionalism to meet these dynamic challenges. A core component of our work was the entire graphics production being handled in the AWS cloud. This cutting-edge broadcast technology provided us with a flexible and scalable solution to create dynamic and precise live graphics. Through our Vizrt integration, we ensured a seamless and highly accurate display of all relevant information—from scores and downs to player statistics and tactical indicators. We provide viewers with essential information and visually enhance the broadcast with game-specific statistical data.

Real-Time Data Integration and the Innovative Referee Scouting Tool

A central aspect of our work was real-time data integration, which is vital in American Football for understanding complex plays and the fast flow of the game. In modern TV transmissions of football, viewers today expect much more than just the live picture; they want to delve deep into strategy, analyze every yard gained, and comprehend player and coach decisions with minute precision. To achieve this, we deployed a groundbreaking, multi-layered system that made data directly usable from the sidelines:

  • Proprietary, Europe-wide Scouting System for Referees: We specifically developed a browser-based software solution for the ELF, used by referees directly on-site in stadiums across Europe. This tool enabled referees to control game clocks and countdowns, scores, and downs & distances in real time. These entered data were then transmitted via the internet to our local software instance in Munich, which received and internally evaluated the data, thereby controlling the Vizrt Engine and thus the on-air graphics. A particular highlight of this integration was the sophisticated control of the On Air graphics: The game clock and information within the game clock were precisely controlled and transmitted by the referees from their respective stadiums. The virtual Line-of-Scrimmage, however, was dynamically controlled by our operator in Munich. This interplay allowed for highly precise and partially fully automated display of critical game elements.

These data-driven graphics served as a crucial complement to the live visuals. They provided additional information and context that helped decipher complex plays, analyze tactical decisions, and grasp the game’s dynamics even more effectively. This enriched the live viewing experience for audiences through precise sports analytics, allowing them to immerse themselves even deeper into the world of European American Football.

Your Partner for Comprehensive Graphic Solutions: From Design to Production

At OnAir-Graphics, we specialize in delivering visually appealing and informative content through our On Air graphics and streaming graphics that optimally capture the excitement of American Football. Our experience in the ELF highlights how our expertise contributed to elevating sports events.

We offer a full spectrum of services for comprehensive graphic solutions:

  • On Air Design Creation and Animation with Vizrt: We develop visually striking and dynamic graphic packages, perfectly tailored to meet the specific demands of American Football broadcasts.
  • Graphic Control System Development: Our specialized solutions capture and process all relevant statistical data, make it available to the graphics operator, and enable precise, real-time on-air display.
  • Modern Vizrt Hardware Rental: We provide the necessary high-performance equipment to ensure smooth and reliable productions.
  • Provision of Experienced Vizrt Operators: Our network includes highly qualified professionals with extensive experience who guarantee the seamless deployment of graphics on-site.
  • Responsive 24/7 Support and On-Site Technical Service: When needed, we are available around the clock with our fee-based 24/7 online support. Optionally, we also offer a dedicated Graphics Guarantee on-site. This experienced expert supports your graphics team with their expertise, ensures technical support directly at the production location, and acts as a crucial interface between the various departments to ensure both smooth production and optimal support for the on-site graphics operators. For hardware defects, we react promptly, striving to facilitate replacement within 24 hours to secure the continuous flow of your production.

We look forward to supporting future American Football events with our graphic solutions.

Would you like to explore how we can visually optimize your next sports broadcast?

About this project:

Sport type: European League of Football

Client feedback:

"OnAir-Graphics delivered a highly effective solution that seamlessly integrated live, on-site data graphics into our live stream, significantly enhancing the viewing experience."