The first question most clubs and brands ask about perimeter LED is how many metres they need. The second is where to place it around the pitch. Neither can be answered by feel, because the length depends on the pitch size, the clearances the laws require around the grass, and the cabinet width the installer uses. This article follows that order: measure the pitch, subtract what cannot be used, then divide into cabinets.
Measure the pitch before counting metres
The Laws of the Game set the touchline at 100–110 m and the goal line at 64–75 m for international matches. The general range is wider: 90–120 m and 45–90 m. Two stadiums in the same division can differ by ten metres in length, so there is no single metre figure for every ground.
Take a 105 × 68 m pitch: the grass perimeter is 346 m. That is a reference point, not the length of LED to order.
The clearance around the grass has a standard too. The AFC Stadium Regulations, 2026 edition, require the field-of-play surface to extend at least 1 m beyond the touchlines and 2 m beyond the goal lines before changing to a different surface type, and the change must not happen right at the line. That strip is where players keep running, not where equipment sits.
What the laws say about placement
The Laws of the Game are explicit: no advertising on the field of play, inside the area enclosed by the goal nets, in the technical area or the referee review area, and none on the ground within 1 m of the boundary lines from the moment the teams enter the pitch. Upright advertising, which is exactly what perimeter LED is, must be at least 1 m from the touchlines, as far from the goal line as the depth of the goal net, and at least 1 m from the goal net.
One point often missed: no advertising on the goals, nets, corner flagposts or flags. The safety side of that 1 m mark is covered separately in perimeter LED and player safety.
How to count the metres
Four steps.
- Measure the real length of each side to be fitted, along the cabinet line rather than along the painted marking.
- Subtract the gaps that must stay clear: the player tunnel mouth, both technical areas, the referee review area, emergency exits, pitchside camera positions.
- Divide the remaining length by one cabinet width to get the cabinet count, always rounding up.
- Add a few spare cabinets for the season, because outdoor equipment does fail.
The table below uses a 105 × 68 m pitch as an example. The figures are simple division, not a standard:
| Layout | Line length (m) | 1.6 m cabinet | 0.96 m cabinet |
|---|---|---|---|
| One touchline, main stand side | 100 | 63 | 105 |
| Both touchlines | 200 | 125 | 209 |
| Both touchlines plus behind both goals | 290 | 182 | 303 |
The cabinet decides where the metres round off
The order has to be a whole number of cabinets, so pick the hardware before fixing the length. Manufacturer datasheets currently publish two common size groups for perimeter LED:
| Specification | Long panel group | Square cabinet group |
|---|---|---|
| Published size | 1600 × 900 mm | 960 × 960 × 75 mm or 1000 × 1000 × 75 mm |
| Pixel pitch | P10 | P3.91 to P10 |
| Published brightness | 5,500–6,000 nits | 6,000–10,000 nits |
| Refresh rate | 7,680 Hz | from 7,680 Hz |
| Weather protection | IP65 | IP66 front and rear |
| Weight | not published | 27.5–32.5 kg per cabinet |
The 1.6 m panel group gives fewer joints over the same line length. The 0.96 m square group is more flexible where the line is broken into segments. Another maker publishes 29 kg per square metre for its perimeter range, with rubber pads and a soft module mask to reduce impact, and boards that can be pushed aside to open an exit.
Lay it out for the objective, not just for the metres
The same number of metres is worth different things in different places.
- Touchline in front of the main stand: inside the main camera frame for most of the match, usually taken first.
- Opposite touchline: appears on reverse-angle shots and fills the blind side.
- Behind the goals: on camera often during shooting situations. The AFC regulations state that photographers in principle work behind the advertising boards behind the goals, so this zone reaches both broadcast and press photography.
- Corners: easily blocked by the corner flagpost and cameras, so leave them for last.
Hoan Vu has worked in advertising since 2001 and became a joint stock company in 2010. The company currently runs perimeter LED at four grounds, Hang Day, Lach Tray, Binh Phuoc and Pleiku, alongside six clubs and around 84 matches a season. Every match has a technical crew operating on site, and each match is closed with an acceptance report including photos and video. Measuring the line and subtracting the clearances is done on site during the survey, so the metre figure reported back is the length that can actually be fitted. Service details are on stadium LED solutions.
Frequently asked questions
Can a pitch smaller than international size take perimeter LED?
Yes. The length depends on the real line after the required clearances are subtracted. The laws allow a pitch from 90 m long, so a smaller ground still has enough line for one run in front of the main stand.
One touchline or both?
It depends on the objective. One run in front of the main stand already sits inside the main camera frame for most of the match. Both touchlines add reverse-angle coverage, but the line length and cabinet count double.
How does cabinet width affect the metres?
The width sets the smallest step the line can take. A 1.6 m cabinet gives fewer joints. A 0.96 m cabinet fits broken segments more closely, but the total number of units and connections is higher.
Conclusion
The metre figure for perimeter LED comes out of three measurements: the real line length, the clearances the laws require, and the cabinet width chosen. Follow that order and the quotation still holds when the crew reaches the ground. For a measurement and a layout for a specific stadium, please leave your details or call the hotline 0964 73 74 73 and a survey crew will follow up.
Hoan Vu designs, installs and runs match-day LED, with co-investment options.
