There is no single correct setup. A community day with two courts needs less than a venue that streams every weekend. This guide describes three levels, what each one needs and what it cannot do. For sport-specific camera advice read the pickleball and padel guides.
Basic — community events
Equipment: a smartphone, a tripod with a phone clamp, a power bank or charger, and a stable internet connection. Software: Larix Broadcaster (iPhone and Android) or Moblin (iPhone) on the phone, sending video to your NextArena event page.
- Set the phone to landscape and turn on Do Not Disturb.
- Place it high behind the court, as in the camera guides.
- Test the connection at the court. Use Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
- Run scoring in NextArena so the event page shows the live score under the stream.
We do not suggest a general platform such as YouTube Live here. Its streams are hard for viewers to find and are not linked to your tournament page. A NextArena stream sits on your public tournament page.
Limits: the phone can overheat, run out of battery or be interrupted. Audio is basic. You have no local backup recording.
Intermediate — club tournaments
Equipment: a dedicated camera with clean HDMI output, a tripod or fixed mount, an HDMI capture device, a laptop or hardware encoder, a better microphone and a wired network connection. Software: OBS Studio, with scores shown on your NextArena event page.
- Build scenes in OBS: starting soon, live court and break.
- Run scoring in NextArena. The event page shows a live score bar under the stream.
- Record locally while you stream.
- Add a headset microphone for commentary.
Limits: you need one trained operator. The setup takes time to build and test. One laptop usually handles one court well.
Advanced — multi-court venues
Equipment: fixed cameras on each court, a wired network with enough upload for every stream, a central streaming computer or several encoders, and a place to monitor every feed. Software: OBS Studio or other production software, a platform that hosts several streams, and a way to manage them.
- Fixed cameras. Mount once and reuse for every event.
- Centralised streaming management. One page lists every stream, shows which is live and sets the official one.
- Multiple court feeds. One stream per court, each with a clear name.
- Integrated scoring. Use one scoring source so the stream and the draw agree.
- Branding and sponsor content. Add logos and sponsor slots to the watch page.
- Dedicated network. Keep streaming traffic apart from guest Wi-Fi.
Limits: this level needs planning, installation and staff time. It costs the most and takes the longest to set up.
Comparison table
| Basic | Intermediate | Advanced | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Community events, first streams | Club tournaments, regular events | Venues with several courts |
| Main equipment | Phone, tripod, internet | Camera, capture device, laptop, microphone | Fixed cameras, network, central streaming |
| Software | Larix Broadcaster or Moblin to NextArena | OBS Studio to NextArena, with live score bar | OBS or production software, NextArena stream management |
| Advantages | Fast and cheap to start | Better picture, audio, backup | Every court covered, repeatable, branded |
| Limits | Battery, heat, interruptions, no local backup | Needs an operator and test time | Planning, installation and staff time |
| Network | Wi-Fi or cellular | Wired where possible | Dedicated wired network |
| People | One | One operator, optional commentator | An operator per feed or a control room |
Costs
We do not list prices here. Prices change by country, retailer and model, and a guess would mislead you. Instead, list the cost types for each level and get current quotes:
- Basic: tripod, phone clamp, power bank. A phone you may already own.
- Intermediate: camera, capture device, laptop or encoder, microphone, cables, spare batteries.
- Advanced: cameras and mounts for each court, network cabling and switches, encoders or computers, installation, and staff time.
- Platform fees: some platforms and tools charge for hosting or storage. Check each platform's current pricing.
Choosing a level
Ask three questions. How many courts must viewers see? Who will operate the stream? How often will you stream? One court, one volunteer and one event a year suits Basic. A regular club event suits Intermediate. Several courts every week suits Advanced.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to stream a tournament?
A smartphone on a tripod, a stable internet connection and a free phone app such as Larix Broadcaster or Moblin streaming to your NextArena event page. You may already own all of these.
When should I move from a phone to OBS Studio?
Move when you want better audio, a dedicated camera or a local backup recording. These need a laptop or encoder.
Do I need a dedicated network for streaming?
Not for a basic setup. For several courts, a separate wired network avoids competition with players and guests. Plan upload bandwidth per stream.
How many people do I need to run a stream?
One person can run a basic stream. An intermediate setup works best with one operator and, if you want commentary, one commentator. Multi-court venues need an operator per feed or a central control room.
Does NextArena replace cameras and OBS?
No. NextArena hosts the stream, records it and shows it with your tournament. You still need a camera and a streaming app such as OBS, Larix Broadcaster or Moblin.