How to Put Fans on the Big Screen at Your Venue
Three simple methods to get fan photos on your stadium or arena big screen,from DIY QR code platforms to professional broadcast setups. We'll show you what equipment you need, how it actually works, and what it costs.
The Quick Answer
To put fans on the big screen, you need three things:
- An existing screen, LED board, projection screen, or arena monitor (you probably already have this)
- Internet connection, Standard venue WiFi is fine
- A fan cam platform, Software that lets fans submit selfies and you display them live
That's it. You don't need a dedicated camera operator, expensive hardware, or fans to download anything. The simplest way is a QR code platform like Go Fan Cam, which starts at $30 and works with vMix, OBS, or any broadcast software.
What Equipment Do You Already Have?
Before we talk about methods, let's be clear: if you have a big screen at your venue, you already have 80% of what you need.
Display
LED boards, projection screens, or arena monitors. Any video display connected to a control room or broadcast deck.
Broadcast Software
vMix, OBS, TriCaster, Wirecast, or similar. Something that can accept a browser source URL.
Internet
Standard venue WiFi or wired connection. Fans need to scan a QR code; you need to moderate photos.
Optional: Signage
Print or digital displays showing the QR code. Many venues display it directly on the big screen.
If you have these basics, you can launch fan photos on the big screen in under an hour.
The 3 Main Methods to Get Fans on the Big Screen
There are three proven approaches. Each has trade-offs in cost, ease, and control. Let's walk through each.
Method 1: Broadcast Camera + Operator
Traditional. Expensive. High control.
How It Works
You hire a camera operator to film fans in the crowd, then cut those clips into your broadcast feed. The operator manually selects which fans to zoom in on.
Cost
$400–$800 per event (operator wages) + camera equipment (if not already owned). If you want a dedicated camera operator for each event, multiply by event frequency.
Pros
- • Full editorial control over which fans appear
- • High production value; professional-looking video
- • No technical setup required from fans
Cons
- • Expensive ($400–$800 per event)
- • Operator-dependent; quality varies
- • Limited coverage; you can only film a small portion of the crowd
- • Slower turnaround; clips aren't live
Method 2: Fan Selfie Platform with QR Code
Self-serve. Fast. Scalable. Modern.
How It Works
Display a QR code on the big screen (or on perimeter signage). Fans scan it on their phones, take a selfie in the browser, and submit. You approve or reject photos in real time. Approved photos display on the big screen instantly via a browser source link.
Cost
Day Pass: $30 per month per cam. Pro Plan: $99–$299/month. League Plan: Custom pricing. One-time setup: 30 minutes.
Pros
- • Pricing: $30 per month per cam
- • Instant live display; photos appear within seconds
- • Works with vMix, OBS, TriCaster, any broadcast software
- • No app download required for fans
- • Real-time moderation; you control what displays
- • Scalable; unlimited submissions
- • Photos framed with your club/sponsor logos
Cons
- • Dependent on fans knowing to scan the QR code
- • Requires WiFi for submissions
- • You have to actively moderate submissions
Method 3: Social Media Wall (Hashtag Pull)
Passive. Branded. Content aggregation.
How It Works
Create a unique hashtag (e.g., #YourClubName). Fans post photos to Instagram or X (Twitter) using that hashtag. A social media wall platform aggregates those posts and displays them on the big screen.
Cost
Free to ~$300/month (depending on platform). Requires paid social media integration.
Pros
- • Fans use familiar apps (Instagram, X)
- • Organic social media amplification
- • Less moderation needed; rely on platform guidelines
Cons
- • Lower participation; not all fans use Instagram or X
- • Slower turnaround; posts lag behind real time
- • Less control; public posts that may not fit your brand
- • Requires social media API access and platform fees
For most venue operators, Method 2 (QR code fan cam) is the best balance of cost, speed, and control. You get real-time fan engagement without hiring crew, and you approve every photo before it displays.
Step-by-Step: How to Set Up a QR Code Fan Cam
Here's exactly how to get fans on the big screen using a QR code platform like Go Fan Cam. Total setup time: 30 minutes.
Sign Up & Configure Your Frames
Create a Go Fan Cam account and choose your plan (3-day trial (free), Pro $99–$299/month, or League). Upload your club logo and sponsor logos. These will frame the fan photos.
Pro tip: Customize your frame colors to match your club brand. Sports fans recognize their team colors instantly.
Get Your QR Code & Browser Source URL
Go Fan Cam generates a unique QR code that never changes. You get this on day one and reuse it for every session. You also get a browser source URL that displays approved photos on your big screen.
Example: Browser source URL looks like gofancam.com/screens/your-venue-123
Display the QR Code on Your Big Screen
Display the QR code on your LED board, projection screen, or perimeter signage. You can display it full screen or in a corner during breaks, delays, or downtime.
Tip: The bigger and clearer the QR code, the more fans will scan it. Test the code from the back of your venue to ensure it's scannable.
Add the Browser Source to Your Broadcast Software
Open vMix, OBS, TriCaster, or your broadcast software. Add a new "Browser Source" and paste the Go Fan Cam URL. Size and position it on your big screen layout. Test it.
Works with: vMix, OBS, TriCaster, Wirecast, StreamYard, Switcher Studio, and any software that supports HTML/web sources.
Start Moderating in Real Time
As fans scan the QR code and submit selfies, you'll see them in a moderation queue. Approve or reject each photo with one tap on your phone or laptop. Approved photos display on the big screen instantly.
You control everything: Face visibility, positioning, duration on screen. Reject any photo that doesn't meet your standards.
That's it. You're now displaying live fan photos on the big screen.
What It Looks Like to the Fan
Here's the fan experience when they scan the QR code at your venue.
1. They See the QR Code on the Big Screen
During a break or delay, your big screen displays the QR code with a message: "Scan to see yourself on screen!"
2. They Pull Out Their Phone & Scan
Fan opens their camera app, points at the big screen, and scans the QR code. Their phone automatically opens a web page,no app download required.
3. They Take a Selfie & Submit
The Go Fan Cam page opens their phone's front camera. They snap a selfie (in portrait mode), review it, and hit "Submit." Done.
4. They See It on the Big Screen (If Approved)
If you approve the photo in your moderation queue, it appears on the big screen within seconds, framed with your club and sponsor logos. The crowd goes wild.
The entire process takes 15–30 seconds per fan. No friction. No friction. No app. Just instant gratification.
What It Looks Like on Your Big Screen
The photos display with professional framing and branding. Here's what your audience sees.
Fan Photo Display Layout
Example of how approved fan photos appear on the big screen:
[Fan photo display area with club logo at top, fan selfie in center, sponsor logos at bottom]
Photos auto-rotate through approved submissions
What You Can Customize
- • Club logo and colors
- • Sponsor logos and placement
- • Photo rotation speed (2–10 seconds per photo)
- • Display size and aspect ratio
- • Background color/image
- • Text overlay ("Fan Cam on Presented by [Sponsor]")
The framing is professional and on-brand. Your fans feel like they're part of the broadcast, not just a random photo. The logos reinforce your sponsorships every time a photo displays.
Cost Comparison: Which Method Is Right for You?
Let's be honest about what you'll actually spend.
| Method | Setup Cost | Per Event | Annual (20 events) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Camera Operator | $0–$2k (equipment) | $400–$800 | $8,000–$16,000 |
| QR Code Fan Cam (Day Pass) | $0 | $30/mo | $980 |
| QR Code Fan Cam (Pro Plan) | $0 | $99–$299/month | $1,188–$3,588 |
| Social Media Wall | $0–$500 | $25–$300/month | $300–$3,600 |
Bottom line: If you're running 20 events per year, a QR code fan cam saves you $7,000–$15,000 annually compared to hiring a camera operator. Even the Pro plan ($1,188–$3,588 annually) is a fraction of the cost.
Common Questions About Fan Cams on Big Screens
Do fans need WiFi to scan the QR code? What if my venue WiFi is slow?
Yes, fans need WiFi or mobile data to upload their photo. Most venue WiFi is fine for this. If your WiFi is unreliable, Go Fan Cam allows offline submission,fans can take their photo now and upload it later if needed.
What if a fan submits an inappropriate photo? How quickly can you reject it?
You moderate photos in real time. You see submissions in a queue and can approve or reject with one tap. Rejected photos never display on the big screen. You have full control.
Can I use my existing big screen without upgrading hardware?
Yes. If your big screen is connected to broadcast software like vMix, OBS, or TriCaster, you can add the Go Fan Cam browser source immediately. No hardware changes needed.
Will the QR code change for each event, or can I reuse the same one?
With Go Fan Cam, the QR code never changes. You get one on day one and reuse it for every event. This makes it easy to print it on signage or display it permanently on your big screen.
Can my sponsor's logo appear on every fan photo?
Yes. Go Fan Cam lets you upload multiple logos and position them on the fan photo frame. Every approved photo displays your club and sponsor branding. It's a revenue opportunity,sponsors love seeing their logo on thousands of fan photos.
How do I motivate fans to actually scan the QR code? Will people participate?
Fans love seeing themselves on the big screen. Research shows fan camera participation is 15–25% of your crowd when you actively promote it. Tips: Make the QR code large and visible, announce it on the PA system, show approved photos immediately (within 30 seconds), and make it a fun moment. Many venues do "Fan Cam Breaks" during timeouts or halftime.
Related Resources
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The Short Version
- Three methods exist: Broadcast camera (expensive, traditional), QR code fan cam (fast, affordable, modern), social media wall (passive, branded).
- Most venues should use a QR code fan cam. It's the fastest, cheapest, and most scalable option.
- You need: An existing big screen, internet, and a fan cam platform. That's it.
- Cost: $30 per month per cam or $99–$299/month. Compare that to $400–$800 per event for a camera operator.
- Setup time: 30 minutes if you have broadcast software (vMix, OBS, TriCaster).
- You control everything: Real-time moderation, branding, sponsor placement.
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