If you want your event content to punch through daylight, distance, and distraction, large LED screen hire is the smartest way to get there. From mobile jumbotrons for festivals to modular video walls for conferences, today’s LED displays are bright, scalable, and surprisingly flexible on logistics.
Why go LED (not projection)?
LED offers serious brightness for outdoor day use and well-lit venues. Modern trailer-mounted and modular walls are designed to stay vivid in full sun. They offer scalable sizes from compact 12’×7′ all the way to arena-grade surfaces, with modules that can be arranged in almost any aspect ratio. Mobile units also allow fast, tidy deployment when you choose options with on-board power, signal gear, and mast lifts.
Popular formats for large LED screen hire
Mobile/trailer LED screens (often called jumbotrons) are great for town squares, sports, festivals, and pop-ups when you need speed and elevation with minimal footprint. Typical sizes you’ll see on nationwide fleets include 12’×7′, 15’×8′, 17’×10′, and 23’×13′, all designed for outdoor viewing and quick setup. Premium trailers can include on-board generators, edit suites, and even stage options for a turnkey package.
Modular LED video walls are ideal when you need custom shapes, ultra-wide canvases, or a screen that fits into a stage set. Built from half-metre tiles, your wall can be virtually any size in 0.5 m increments. They can also be built curved or around corners for immersive designs.</p>
Pixel pitch, viewing distance, and clarity
Pixel pitch is the millimetre spacing between LEDs. Smaller numbers mean a sharper image up close. For indoor audiences seated 3–7 metres from the screen, around 2.5–4 mm is best. For outdoor crowds viewing from farther back, around 3.9–6 mm is common. Some hire firms suggest matching pitch to metres of viewing distance (for example, around 3 mm for 3 metres). Don’t overspend on a super-fine pitch if your nearest viewers are 10 metres or more away, as the LEDs will blend visually anyway.
How much does large LED screen hire cost?
Pricing varies by size in square metres, pixel pitch, indoor or outdoor specification, structure, crew, and hours on site. Many UK-based services quote between £400 and £1,000 per square metre for LED walls (hire only), plus delivery and installation. Indoor projects for short durations can start around £2,500 and scale to six figures for very large, complex builds. Mobile LED trailers are often priced as packages that include screen, power, operator, and delivery.
Indoor vs outdoor
Outdoor cabinets are weather-rated and brighter, while indoor walls emphasise fine pixel pitch and low fan noise. Indoors may require truss or ground stacking; trailers bring their own mast and ballast for outdoor sites. Processing equipment is key—ask for proven video processors to ensure smooth scaling and accurate colour reproduction.
Choosing the right size and height
First, estimate audience distance. If your nearest viewers are 5–10 metres away, a 4 mm wall will look crisp; if they’re 20–40 metres away, a 5–6 mm wall is usually fine. Decide your content ratio: live camera feeds look best in classic 16:9, while sponsor loops may favour ultra-wide. Outdoor audiences see better when the bottom of the screen is 2–3 metres off the ground. Trailer rigs can go high quickly and rotate for better sightlines.
What to ask a large LED screen hire supplier
Ask for the exact screen size and pixel pitch, as well as the true active area in metres or feet. Check the brightness rating in nits and the refresh rate, especially for use with cameras or in bright daylight. Clarify what’s included—processors, scalers, playback, communications, PA, and on-board power. Ask about crew numbers, build/strike times, and weather contingency plans. See if they offer content formatting help or provide an operator during showtime. Confirm coverage area to ensure they can service your location.
Real-world uses
Watch parties and sports screenings benefit from bright, elevated trailers that draw a crowd and maintain clean sightlines. Festivals and concerts often use a pair of large side-stage screens to extend the front row to the whole audience. Brand activations and exhibitions use modular walls for creative shapes and immersive storytelling. City events and marathons favour rugged outdoor units for durability and visibility.
Budgeting checklist
- Target size: ___ m (W) × ___ m (H)
- Pixel pitch target: ___ mm
- Indoor / Outdoor
- Mobile trailer or modular build?
- Height to bottom of screen: ___ m
- Content sources: HDMI / SDI / Media server / Camera feeds
- Audio required?
- On-site operator included?
- Build/strike times: ___ / ___
- Power plan: venue power / generator / trailer on-board
FAQs about large LED screen hire
- How far away will it still look sharp? Match pixel pitch to viewing distance. For outdoor crowds 20+ metres away, 5–6 mm works well.
- Can we run it in full daylight? Yes—outdoor LED walls and mobile jumbotrons are designed for bright conditions.
- Can we curve the screen or wrap a corner? With modular tiles, yes.
- What if we need a complete package? Look for suppliers offering delivery, setup, operation, and power for simplified logistics.
Key takeaways
For visibility, flexibility, and speed, large LED screen hire beats most alternatives—especially outdoors. Start with audience distance and screen height, pick the right format (trailer or modular), and partner with a provider that brings the processing, power, and people to run a smooth show