Diamondbacks' New Video Boards Obstruct Fans' Views at Chase Field

Ribbon boards installed to enhance fan experience have instead blocked sightlines in upper-deck seats.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:28pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball stadium field obscured by angular, overlapping shapes representing the new video boards, conveying how the technological additions have disrupted the traditional sightlines for fans.A cubist interpretation of the sightline issues caused by new video boards at Chase Field, highlighting how technological upgrades can disrupt the core fan experience.Phoenix Today

The Arizona Diamondbacks' recent installation of new ribbon boards at Chase Field, intended to improve the game-day experience, has instead obstructed the views of fans in the upper-deck 300-level seats. The large video boards now block the lower portion of the field, hindering fans' ability to clearly see the action on the field.

Why it matters

This controversy highlights the tension between teams' desires to modernize stadiums with new technology and the need to preserve the core fan experience of being able to easily view the game from one's seat. It raises questions about how teams should balance fan engagement with maintaining unobstructed sightlines.

The details

The new ribbon boards wrap around the field from foul pole to foul pole, creating a visual barrier that blocks the lower portion of the 300-level seats in the upper deck. Fans who previously had a clear view through a slender railing now face a wall of green, with parts of the foul territory hidden behind the boards. The obstruction is most acute for front-row 300 section fans, but the impact extends to those a few rows up as well, dulling their ability to fully experience the flow and geometry of the game.

  • The new ribbon boards were installed at Chase Field prior to the 2026 MLB season.

The players

Arizona Diamondbacks

The MLB team that plays its home games at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.

Derrick Hall

The president of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who acknowledged the team did not anticipate the sightline issues caused by the new video boards.

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What’s next

The Diamondbacks have said they will work to relocate affected fans and offer refunds, but it remains to be seen if they will make more permanent changes to address the sightline issues.

The takeaway

This episode highlights the need for sports teams to carefully balance fan engagement and modernization efforts with preserving the core fan experience of unobstructed views of the action on the field. It serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of prioritizing technology upgrades over basic fan comfort and satisfaction.