Hungary – When Europe’s two best club teams meet to compete for the most prestigious trophy in European club football, it’s not just the on-pitch proceedings that have to run perfectly. Behind the scenes, it is also essential to provide thousands of guests in the various hospitality areas with a first-class experience. For the dramatic 2026 final at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, several exclusive VIP areas were equipped with audio and lighting technology from LD Systems and Cameo. The Hungarian full-service provider MD Rental was responsible for the technical planning, integration and on-site operation. At the heart of the project was the LD Systems QUESTRA platform, which controlled all audio areas efficiently and almost invisibly in the background.
The requirements for the various hospitality areas were clearly defined: high-quality sound, atmospheric lighting and maximum operational reliability while also maintaining as low a visual profile as possible. “In a VIP hospitality setting, the technology must enhance the experience without being visually distracting. This is why discreet integration, ease of use and operation that is as unobtrusive as possible were at the heart of our concept,” explains Marcell Drobilisch from MD Rental.
QUESTRA as the central platform
For this reason, the team decided to build the system architecture on the LD Systems QUESTRA software platform. Via a dedicated, fully isolated VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) infrastructure, audio distribution, control and system management could be centrally linked together. At the same time, MD Rental integrated QUESTRA into the overarching operating environment via TCP and UDP commands, thereby creating a flexible control platform for all hospitality zones.
LD Systems NMP 32 DSP matrix processors from the TICA series were used as audio matrices, supplemented by one DIO 44 Dante interface each with 4×4 inputs/outputs. A QTP 8 touch panel was also used for on-site operation. Via the custom user interface, staff and technicians were able to access various preset configurations – such as Pre-Match and Post-Match – and individually control key parameters such as volume levels, sources and mute.
“With the QTP 8, we were able to streamline operation to focus on the functions that really matter. This enables quick adjustments on site, minimises the need for visible technical staff and ensures that the technology remains in the background – exactly as it should be in a premium hospitality environment.” says Drobilisch.
MAILA for the live sound
The most technically challenging hospitality area was the East VIP area, which had its own music stage. The task: to deliver high-quality live sound with uniform coverage, sufficient sound pressure and a design that was as low-profile as possible. Strict load specifications further complicated the planning as some rigging points were designed to bear a load of only around 100 kilograms. It therefore quickly became clear to MD Rental that MAILA was the ideal solution. The setup consisted of a stacked MAILA M system, five flown outfill clusters, each comprising four MAILA SATs and one MAILA SPA module, and an additional cluster comprising one MAILA SAT-X and two MAILA SPA modules. Thanks to its modular architecture, it was possible to precisely adapt the sound system to the geometry of the VIP area.
Whilst the focus in the East VIP area was on live sound, the emphasis in the West VIP area was on high-quality background sound. Here, MD Rental opted for LD Systems CURV 500 array systems, each comprising two CURV 500 S2 satellites and an SLA adapter, supplemented in the bass range by CURV 500 I SUB 10″ installation subwoofers. “In hospitality settings, the visual impression is almost as important as the audio quality,” says Marcell Drobilisch. “The CURV 500 enabled us to achieve an exclusive look whilst delivering outstanding speech intelligibility and music reproduction.” Signal processing was handled by a CURV 500 I AMP power amplifier and two IPA 424 T DSP installation amplifiers with Dante connectivity, one of which also served as the local audio matrix for the area.
“MAILA offered us the perfect balance of sound quality, coverage, modularity, weight and appearance. The system was not just a sound reinforcement solution, but a key component of the overall VIP experience,” acknowledges Marcell Drobilisch.
The other hospitality areas were also fitted with bespoke solutions. LD Systems MAUI 44 G2 column systems were used in the restaurant area. For the adjoining outdoor terrace, MD Rental opted for a fully wireless concept based on battery-powered ANNY 8 Bluetooth speakers, due to the limited cabling options. “With the ANNY series, we were able to provide efficient sound coverage for the outdoor area without having to lay additional cables, which kept the terrace looking tidy and also kept it safe,” explains Marcell Drobilisch.
Light for the stage and photos
Cameo lighting technology also played an important role in creating the atmosphere in the hospitality areas. In the East VIP Area, Cameo AURO SPOT Z300 and EVOS W3 moving lights were used to illuminate the stage in a flexible and dynamic manner – depending on whether it was being used for musical acts, announcements or other programme items. Particular attention was paid to the official photo areas. Here, Cameo F1 T tungsten-LED lights provided warm, natural lighting for the countless souvenir photos that guests took, including those with the coveted winner’s trophy.
“The Cameo lights offer an excellent balance of performance, reliability and ease of use. They deliver high-quality results without being unnecessarily complex, making them the perfect fit for the demands of modern premium events,”
Premium partnership
MD Rental has been relying on solutions from LD Systems and Cameo for several years now and is continually expanding its own portfolio. In addition to product quality, the company particularly highlights its close collaboration with the Adam Hall Integrated Systems team: “Working with Balázs Sólyomi was invaluable for this project. He supported us from the preparation stage right through to on-site implementation, whilst also providing important insights for future projects and investment decisions.”
Photos: © Daniel Vegel
