bbcsport - Lightwell Blog

A low, wide angle view of the greenscreen studio used for the BBC's Tokyo Olympics coverage, in 2021. Designers and lighting director are in conversation, probably discussing the lighting that is being installed.

The Real World Behind The Virtual World

These photos illustrate the unseen phase of assembling the BBC's greenscreen virtual set for the Tokyo Olympics. This critical groundwork involved blending imagination with engineering. The design team, after extensive immersion, began to perceive the physical space as complete, even before the green vanished, paving the way for the seamless final product.

JimDec 18, 2025

View inside our virtual set concept, created for a pitch for BBC Sport

Behind The Scenes Virtual Production VirtualSet

One That Got Away: Our BBC FIFA Women’s World Cup Pitch 2023

Sharing designs that don’t win is part of celebrating the creative process. They remind us that innovation isn’t only measured by what reaches the screen, but also by the ideas that push boundaries along the way. Lightwell's designs for the FIFA Womens World Cup in 2023, was one such design.

JimDec 3, 2025

Scene from a virtual set design depicting a red Citroen van, sat in a snowy Parisian square

Unreal Engine Virtual Production VirtualSet

Winter is coming…

While summer’s still with us, creative teams are already looking ahead to the festive season and the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. We’ve been looking back on our work for the BBC’s 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics - a standout example of how virtual production can elevate live sports coverage through bold design and technical innovation.

JimSep 4, 2025

View of the virtual set created by Lightwell for BBC Sports coverage of the UEFA Womens Euros 2025. Gaby Logan sits in the presenters chair, across the desk from 3 guests. The space in which they sit is virtual, but creted to look like a modern, timber pavilion. Through the windows, we can see Lake Lucerne and mountains. This swiss landscape is also virtual.

Unreal Engine Virtual Production VirtualSet

BBC Sport’s UEFA Women’s Euros 2025 Studio: A Virtual Set with a View

I’ve just added the virtual set we created for the BBC’s coverage of the UEFA Womens Euros 2025...

JimJul 22, 2025

Design Unreal Engine Virtual Production VirtualSet

BBC Sport World Indoor Athletics 2025 Virtual Set

The BBC Sport, Pres 2 Virtual Studio design has been in action once again, this time for the...

JimMar 25, 2025

Opening wide shot of Match of the Day showing presenter Gary Lineker seated to the left, and guests Alan Shearer and Micah Richards on the right of the circular desk and rostra. The scene is predominantly blue with red accents. In the background is a night time skyline of an undisclosed city.

Design Unreal Engine

BBC Football Virtual Sets – Part 3 of 4, Match Of The Day

Match of the Day, BBC's premier highlights show, has run for 60 years, showcasing revamped studio designs and technology, attracting over 3 million viewers weekly.

JimDec 19, 2024

BBC Final Score Virtual Set created by Lightwell

Design Unreal Engine VirtualSet

BBC Football Virtual Sets – Part 2 of 4 Final Score

Final Score airs on Saturdays during the Premier League, covering live football updates without footage, featuring presenters and pundits updating ongoing matches from hidden monitors.

JimDec 12, 2024