Every NHL game kicks off with that electric pregame buzz, the arena hums as fans pour in, anticipation building. But for years, that lead-up time at Amerant Bank Arena looked like it does in most places: a few host segments, static graphics, and the usual sponsor slides. Then came intros, the hype video, and puck drop.
Dylan Thomas, Production Manager of Game Presentation for the Florida Panthers, saw more. “We wanted to make the experience more interactive and keep fans engaged during what was traditionally downtime in the pregame.”
So they flipped the script.
By integrating Tagboard’s interactive graphics system, the Panthers transformed their pregame from passive filler to full-on fan engagement. What used to be the calm before the storm is now an interactive warm-up show that brings fans into the action the moment they walk through the doors.
“Tagboard has redefined our pregame experience by transforming fans from passive viewers into active participants in fun and engaging ways.”
Here’s what that looks like in action:
- Prediction Polls: Letting fans flex their hockey IQ by forecasting the first goal-scorer. These became the biggest engagement driver of the season.
- Fashion Fit Checks: Player walk-in looks are a staple across sports, an opportunity to see players outside of their pads, helmet, and jersey. The Panthers decided to take that content and gamify the experience.
- Scan & Share: Fans submitted their own gameday fits and photos, creating a communal moment for the Panthers’ back-to-back Stanley Cup crowd.
- Live Stats & Sponsored L-Bars: Highlighting real-time stats and sponsored content in a dynamic way that keeps fans informed and entertained. Template driven for game-to-game efficiency.
“This early engagement sparks the overall engagement throughout the rest of our game,” said Thomas. “Engagement steadily increased over the course of the season, which shows us that fans are eager to participate when given the opportunity. These activations made it clear that fans enjoy being part of the pregame experience rather than just watching it unfold.”
The Results Speak Loudly:
- 4.5 scans per second during Gameday Fit Polls throughout the playoffs.
- 130+ scans in under a minute for Prediction Polls. Both Gameday & Prediction polls were the single biggest drivers of engagement, giving fans a direct voice in the activations.
- 20X increase in interactive graphics taken live each game. Consistent engagement during different points of the pregame window, proving fans don’t just watch, they want in.
- New inventory created that are fully sponsored or used as part of pitches to potential partners, directly tying fan engagement to revenue opportunities.
Why It Works:
Tagboard turned downtime into a dynamic driver of energy and engagement. Fans weren’t just warmed up, they were activated. Internally, the production team saw the shift too. The pregame felt sharper. Fresher. Way more fun.
Time Savings? Game-Changer.
With templated graphics and quick-update L-Bars, the Panthers slashed their prep time. No more designing from scratch. Just plug in updated stats, swap a logo, and go.
The biggest time-saver has been the premade templates we use with the L-Bar. Instead of creating new designs from scratch, our team only needs to update the data, which keeps the content fresh but production time efficient.
Dylan Thomas – Production Manager
Monetization Win
What started as a fan-first play turned into a revenue engine. Sponsors were integrated into activations, and new partner packages were built around Tagboard-driven content.
“Tagboard has opened new doors for sponsorship. We’ve been able to integrate partners into specific activations and also pitch Tagboard-driven content as part of new partnership opportunities,” said Thomas. “This has created an additional layer of inventory that benefits both fans and partners.”
Bonus Win: Real-Time Insights
Thanks to Tagboard’s analytics backbone, the Panthers now know which activations land hardest, when engagement spikes, and how to fine-tune the experience across games.
“We’ve learned when fans are most likely to engage, which activations resonate most, and how participation shifts based on timing,” said Thomas. “These insights not only help us optimize our pregame show but also inform decisions for other areas of our game presentation.”
Bottom Line: While their GM built a Stanley Cup winner on the ice, Thomas and team built a winning show around it, proving that when you tap into previously untapped content opportunities, engagement (and revenue) follows.