LED screens from China: technology that can take a footballer's hit

LED screens from China: technology that can take a footballer's hit. Large Chinese made LED displays have been installed at numerous stadiums of the FIFA 2026 World Cup, showcasing the real R&D capabilities of Chinese companies. When sport and technology meet on the same field, more than a spectacle is born — confidence is born.

Ten centimetres thick, a ball striking at 100 km/h, funnel shaped screens above the stands, and a system that never goes dark even under bright sunlight. Chinese LED screens at the 2026 World Cup are not just advertising boards. They are proof that Chinese manufacturers have evolved from equipment suppliers to creators of intelligent solutions that shape the stadium atmosphere.

The perimeter LED screens at the stadiums, made by a company from Shenzhen, Guangdong Province in southern China, consist of tiny LED bulbs and are only 10 centimetres thick. At the same time, they are both strong and flexible: robust enough to withstand high speed ball impacts during matches, and flexible enough to prevent injury even in a direct collision with professional footballers.

Wen Longjiang, an engineer at the Huizhou branch of Absen Optoelectronics, explained: "Want to see how much impact force our machine can simulate using professional footballers' strikes? An extreme test — hitting the screen at 100 kilometres per hour. That's already a huge impact energy. Many of our structural elements, including the face panel and the base, far exceed FIFA's requirements."

The LED screens are lit by LED bulbs placed just a few millimetres apart. But ensuring both structural strength and safety for fast running players requires a full R&D platform for mechanical and material analysis. The company's successful bid to supply the event was backed by solid research and development capabilities. At this year's World Cup, funnel shaped screens installed above the stands at the stadium in Vancouver, Canada, designed to give spectators a better view, must remain clearly visible even under bright outdoor lighting and must never suffer power outages.

Ding Chunbin, President of Shenzhen Absen Optoelectronic Co., Ltd., spoke about the installation challenges: "A football stadium covers a huge area, and due to the ceiling design, some sections do not have sufficient load bearing capacity. So both the lightweight design and the final installation were extremely challenging. Essentially, we had to conduct research and take step by step action simultaneously." Lacking prior experience with such projects, the overseas service team worked around the clock in three shifts alongside domestic R&D and production teams. Even before the project approval deadline, this giant funnel shaped screen was successfully and securely suspended above the stadium in Vancouver.

The company, specialising in LED technology, has had a long standing partnership with the World Cup spanning more than a decade. But this year, they are no longer just equipment suppliers. Now they shape the stadium atmosphere. Their integrated solution, combining sound, light and electrical systems, has been a major breakthrough at this year's World Cup. It proves that Chinese LED manufacturers can not only produce equipment but also deliver the intelligent functions behind it.

Wang Haiping, General Manager of the global brand department at Shenzhen Unilumin Group Co., Ltd., said: "To be honest, we have relatively strong competitive advantages in hardware, since our entire supply chain is based in China. But winning the bid for such a major event gives us confidence that in the future, we can increasingly become true system solution providers."

The FIFA 2026 World Cup, which kicked off on 11 June at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium, runs until 19 July. This year, hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada, a record 48 teams are competing in 104 matches. LED technology has long ceased to be just a way to provide illumination.

At the 2026 World Cup, it has become a full fledged part of the show. Chinese manufacturers have evolved from component suppliers to creators of integrated solutions that can withstand 100 km/h ball impacts, remain visible in sunlight and never fail at the crucial moment. Behind this are years of research, dozens of engineering solutions and the confidence that "Made in China" is synonymous with quality and reliability. And when millions of fans watch the screens, they see not just a picture — they see a future that has already arrived.

As reported by CCTV+, Chinese LED manufacturers continue to expand their presence at the world's largest sporting venues, strengthening China's position as a global technology leader.