When a football club or local authority requests a scoreboard quote, the offers it receives can be difficult to compare. Each may be based on a different size, display type and set of extras. This guide brings together the decisions worth making before you ask for a quote. With those details agreed, you can compare more than prices: whether spectators can read the scoreboard from the stands, whether the person on duty can operate it on match day, and whether it will still meet your needs in years to come.

What to decide before requesting a quote

Before asking for a quote, clarify five things: where the scoreboard needs to be readable from, which type suits your needs, where it will be installed, who will operate it and how much you plan to invest.

• Viewing distance: the furthest spectator seats and the team benches.
• Display type: a numeric scoreboard or a video scoreboard.
• Installation: the supporting structure, power supply and cabling.
• Operation: who will use it on match day and what initial guidance they will need.
• Budget and purchasing route: club funding, sponsorship or public procurement.

Give suppliers these details and it becomes easier to obtain a clear, relevant quote. Otherwise, each supplier will make different assumptions, leaving you with offers based on different specifications.

Size, viewing distance and sunlight

The right scoreboard size depends on how far away people need to read it, rather than the club’s visual preferences.

Measure the distance from the proposed scoreboard position to the furthest spectator area, and ask the manufacturer for the recommended viewing distance for each digit height. That gives you a practical basis for comparing offers. To illustrate how digit height affects overall size, a football scoreboard with 30 cm digits may measure around 200 × 100 × 9 cm, while a version with 40 cm digits may measure around 200 × 130 × 9 cm.

These dimensions help you assess whether the available space and proposed supporting structure suit the installation. Ask which viewing distance each option is designed for. A scoreboard that is too small to read clearly from the opposite side of the pitch is a poor investment, but an unnecessarily large one can be too.

At an outdoor ground, orientation matters as well. A scoreboard that becomes difficult to read from the opposite stand in direct late-afternoon sunlight will not do its job properly. Ask about brightness and readability in those conditions before approving the location.

Numeric scoreboard or video scoreboard?

A numeric scoreboard is sufficient if you only need to display the score and match time. A video scoreboard is worth considering if you also plan to show messages, sponsor content or replays, with the appropriate software and video setup.

The choice comes down to intended use. Video scoreboards differ from traditional scoreboards mainly in what they can display, but also in what you need to install and manage. They require more preparation and someone to look after the content. Make this decision early, because it affects everything else: size, installation, controls and price.

Installation and power supply

Before choosing a model, decide where it will go and what infrastructure is available. The supporting structure, electrical supply and cable routes influence the installation as much as the scoreboard itself.

Ask what the quote includes: mounting brackets or supports, installation, electrical connection and commissioning. Establish who will carry out each part of the work and what maintenance will be needed afterwards. Also check whether the scoreboard could be struck by a ball. If so, ask what impact protection is included and whether additional protection is necessary. It is better to resolve this before installation than after the first match.

Who will operate it on match day?

A club volunteer often operates the scoreboard, so the controls should be straightforward to learn, with clear initial instructions.

Even a well-specified scoreboard is of little use if the volunteer on duty on Sunday morning cannot operate it. Ask how it is controlled, whether through a console, remote control or computer, how long it takes to learn, and what happens if the control system fails during a match. Also ask what support the manufacturer provides if a problem arises, and how updates are handled.

Customisation: team names, crests and dimensions

Adding team names and crests makes the scoreboard part of the club’s identity rather than a generic display.

At Pixelcom, we can incorporate names and crests, apply club graphics and advertising vinyl, and manufacture scoreboards to custom dimensions. We supplied a customised football scoreboard for C.F. Albocàsser in Spain in 2024. Whichever supplier you choose, ask for the quote to specify what customisation is included and what costs extra, as these details can easily fall outside the initial price.

What affects the price?

The price of a football scoreboard depends mainly on five factors: size, display type, weather protection, the control system and installation.

A larger display means more components to manufacture and assemble. A video screen also brings content preparation and management requirements. At an outdoor ground, the scoreboard needs to withstand rain, sunlight and dust, which affects its specification and cost. Controls and installation, including the structure, cabling and commissioning, make up the rest of the total, alongside customisation.

That is why a single standard price will not suit every ground. The useful approach is to request quotes based on the decisions above and compare them item by item.

Buying on behalf of a local authority or public body

If the buyer is a local authority or public body, the purchasing process and payment arrangements need to be agreed alongside the equipment specification.

Pixelcom works with more than 50 public bodies in Spain and accommodates Spanish public-sector payment arrangements. For a project in another country, confirm the applicable purchasing and payment requirements with the supplier. In any case, request a technical datasheet and an itemised quote for your procurement documentation.

What information to prepare when requesting a quote

To receive a quote suited to your football ground, prepare five details: the maximum viewing distance, the proposed location, your preferred scoreboard type, the customisation you need, and photographs showing the dimensions of the installation area.

This gives suppliers a clear brief and makes their offers easier to compare. You can explore Pixelcom’s football scoreboards through the product link above or request a quote from our team. We can help you work through any decisions you still need to make.