Combat Zone MMA – SNHU Arena Live Production

We provide live production support for Combat Zone MMA at SNHU Arena — a recurring arena show that brings high-energy combat sports to Manchester several times a year.

This isn’t a concert. It’s fast-paced, unpredictable, and built around live video. Everything needs to work — cameras, switching, lighting, audio, streaming — all in sync from the first walkout to the final bell.

Video Is the Backbone

This show is heavily video-driven.

We provide:

• PTZ cameras covering the cage

• One handheld RF camera for walk-ins and coverage between rounds

• A few extra cameras on tripods for extra angles

• Switching on a Blackmagic ATEM Constellation

• Dedicated vMix system for playback

• Separate graphics machines for overlays and sponsor content

Program out from the Constellation feeds both the arena jumbotron and the web stream. For streaming, we route through an ATEM Mini to add bug overlays before pushing out via RTMP. It’s one clean signal flow that serves both the live crowd and online viewers at the same time.

Flown Truss & Lighting

Over the cage, we fly a 40’ x 40’ truss in a “+” configuration, with an additional 40’ straight run for cable management back to distro and video.

Lighting package includes:

• Truss:

  • 8 Chauvet Rogue R2 Spots

  • 12 Chauvet Rogue R2 Washes

  • 2 ETC ColorSource Spot Jr Zooms

  • 8 client-provided 4x4 matrix washes

• Floor

  • 4 ETC ColorSource Spot Jr Zooms on pipe and base

  • Various client provided fixtures along walkout

Lighting is designed for audience impact first — dramatic walkouts, custom gobos, bold color looks. Some of that flair doesn’t always show up fully on broadcast, but in the room it absolutely lands.

We provide the rigging hardware, working alongside certified riggers and arena staff to get everything safely in the air.

Audio for Broadcast & House Integration

Audio ties into the arena’s house system, but we handle all the production-side mixing.

We provide:

• RF handheld mics for the MC

• Broadcast headsets for four ringside commentators

• Two Yamaha audio consoles

  • QL1 dedicated to the live broadcast mix

  • DM3 handling mic routing and house integration

• Tie-ins with the event DJ

It’s a clean separation between house reinforcement and broadcast control, which keeps everything flexible and stable.

Load-In to Show Time

Load-in starts Friday at 8am. By 4pm, truss, cameras, lighting, and control positions are built and tested.

Saturday prep starts at noon. Show runs from late afternoon through around 10:30pm, and we’re typically out by midnight.

It’s a tight turnaround — our core crew, overhire techs, riggers, and arena staff all working together to make it happen.

A Recurring MMA Arena Production

Combat Zone MMA is a recurring production at SNHU Arena, and each show builds on the last. We refine camera positions, streamline signal flow, adjust lighting looks, and keep improving the workflow every time.

It’s a high-energy production that showcases what we can do at arena scale — live, fast, and under pressure.

---