Redefining the Arena Experience: IEM Melbourne 2025
When ESL brought Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) back to Rod Laver Arena for 2025, they required more than a supplier – they needed a principal partner capable of complete end-to-end realisation. WOOHAH was proud to serve as the Principal Contractor, overseeing the design, engineering, and flawless delivery of one of the world’s most complex esports ecosystems.
Despite a grueling schedule that demanded a full arena install in just days, our team executed the project with total precision, delivering the show ahead of schedule.
A Masterclass in Esports Engineering:
- The Visionary Stage: We provided full stage design and realisation, including a custom scenic solution featuring high-shine flooring and neon-contoured edging. This included the highly specialised integration of gameplay desks, a complex and tried and tested solution that does not compromise game play or game play standards.
- Massive LED Scale: The visual landscape was anchored by a colossal 24m x 12m 2mm LED Screen, supported by 200sqm of 2mm LED integrated into scenic elements and 10 ROE CB5 LED strips for real-time player data.
- World-First Technology: In a global premiere for esports, we utilised Ghostframe technology, allowing us to display different content simultaneously to various broadcast outlets worldwide – a feat of engineering that provided unprecedented value for sponsors and media.
- Complex Signal Architecture: We managed a sophisticated integration with an OB hub located kilometers away from the venue, ensuring ultralow-latency transmission for a global audience. The “brain” of the show was powered by a powerhouse fleet of 9 x Disguise GX3 Media Servers fully programmed and operated by the WOOHAH in-house team.
- Dynamic, Autonomous Lighting: Our extensive lighting rig was fully integrated with the gameplay, featuring autonomous cues that reacted in real-time to in-game events, heightening the drama of every match.
- Specialized Audio Design: Leveraging our advanced knowledge of esports-specific acoustics, we delivered an audio solution optimised for the unique frequencies and communication needs of elite gaming.
- Agile On-Site Content: To keep pace with the bracket, we provided an on-site video editing suite. This allowed for the real-time creation of gameplay graphics and team intros that shifted dynamically based on match results, ensuring every team lineup and victory reel was up-to-the-minute.
- The 35-Tonne Logistics Mission: As the principal technical liaison to the venue, we managed and coordinated 35 tonnes of flown AV equipment, overseeing every aspect of the engineering and safety protocols.
From Technical Direction and AV Project Management to our elite team of Operators and Technicians, IEM Melbourne 2025 was a testament to WOOHAH’s ability to turn an ambitious vision into a world-class reality.
