ABU DHABI: When People&Co entrusted Creative Technology with delivering the Opening Ceremony of the Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026, the ambition was clear: to create an unforgettable experience at scale. What unfolded at ADNEC, supported by multiple venues across the UAE capital, was a meticulously engineered convergence of video, projection, lighting, and network infrastructure, designed to sustain impact from the first moment to the last.

At the core of the production stood a commanding curved LED wall measuring approximately 55.5 metres wide by 16 metres high, constructed from over 1,400 panels at a 3.9 mm pixel pitch and weighing a combined 19 tons. The scale of the structure demanded a purpose-built scaffold system engineered to follow the screen’s curvature, with CNC-cut templates ensuring precise panel alignment across the arc. Rigging teams worked in close coordination to integrate lighting and scenic elements above the wall, while dedicated access platforms enabled efficient installation, testing, and maintenance within a tightly controlled schedule.

Driving the visual canvas was a synchronised array of ten Disguise VX4+ media servers, managing nearly 60 million pixels across both the LED surface and projection mapping elements. Screen management was handled by a double-stacked BARCO Encore 3 system, supporting complex cueing across a content-heavy show environment where redundancy was built into every layer. Approximately 14 kilometres of fibre and video signal distribution interconnected the wider ecosystem, linking around 50 additional screens deployed across operational and public areas, alongside a full CCTV infrastructure for monitoring and control.

Projection mapping extended the visual narrative beyond the LED wall, with fourteen Panasonic PT-RZ31K laser projectors deployed across scenic elements. Detailed pre-production studies ensured accurate positioning, particularly critical given the late arrival of scenic structures, requiring rapid on-site calibration and alignment.

The lighting design was equally expansive, incorporating a broad mix of beam, profile, and effects fixtures suited to a large-scale stadium environment. Control was delivered via three GrandMA3 full-size consoles from MA Lighting, supported by a light-size desk for focus work, alongside an I/O node network and seven PU L units maintaining a live, roaming MA session. A pre-visualisation station operated in parallel with the live system, enabling programming decisions to be refined in advance—an essential capability given the complexity of the show.

A robust network backbone underpinned the entire production, built around Luminex infrastructure including Luminex 20T, Luminode 12, and Gigacore 10 switches. Atmospherics were delivered by MDG, with one touring unit deployed across multiple stadium positions and supported by twelve dedicated hazers. The Follow-Me tracking system, configured with main and backup redundancy, enabled simultaneous tracking of up to eight targets across the rig, ensuring precision in dynamic performance scenarios.

One of the production’s most demanding challenges lay in the integration of lighting within a large architectural arch. Working closely with scenic specialists Pitch Black, Creative Technology invested heavily in pre-production, prototyping bracket designs, refining fixture positioning, and validating movement tolerances to ensure seamless visual integration. Complex roof access requirements were resolved through what the team referred to as Pitch Black’s “Craning Endeavour” initiative, led by Steven Keddy; highlighting the often unseen engineering solutions that underpin large-scale productions.

A fully IP-based network connected ADNEC, Zayed Sports City, and additional venues, ensuring seamless communication and coverage across all operational zones. Luminex nodes facilitated low-latency signal transport, while a Riedel Communications Bolero system provided full-duplex, roaming wireless intercom, with carefully positioned antennas ensuring stable RF performance and uninterrupted connectivity. Remote monitoring and programming stations enabled centralised control and real-time diagnostics, with the Mubadala multi-room venue fully integrated into a unified, resilient network ecosystem.

Creative Technology’s involvement extended beyond the opening ceremony itself, having previously delivered the technical infrastructure for Walk to Mars, the UAE’s nationwide activation marking the 100-day countdown to the Games. Centred on a 12,800-pixel LED display powered by Disguise servers, the installation invited participants to collectively cover 54 million kilometres — the distance from Earth to Mars — while integrating dynamic lighting from Ayrton and Astera, immersive audio from d&b audiotechnik and L-Acoustics systems, and a communications network powered by Riedel and Motorola.

While productions of this magnitude are often defined by their scale—pixel counts, system dimensions, and equipment inventories—the execution at the Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026 ultimately hinged on precision, coordination, and reliability. From synchronised tracking and stable network performance to the seamless interplay of scenic, lighting, and video elements, Creative Technology delivered a cohesive visual experience that resonated with both scale and detail—ensuring the ceremony opened not just with impact, but with lasting impression.