Harlem Globetrotters 100th Anniversary Light Show Tour

The Harlem Globetrotters are celebrating their 100th anniversary with a global tour that reflects the scale and legacy of their brand, hundreds of games each year, three touring squads, and a production built on audience interaction. Their show succeeds because fans feel involved, and the organization was looking for a new way to amplify that connection without adding complexity to an already demanding travel schedule.

CUE’s Light Show became the answer. It introduces a modern visual layer to the live experience without complicating operations. Fans simply scan a QR code in the venue, and their phones become part of the show—no app, no download, no onboarding barriers. Once connected, the phone flash and screens light up in sync with the music, creating a high-energy visual moment powered by the fans.

The teams play in constantly changing environments: different cities, different arenas, different acoustic conditions, and tightly timed show formats. Traditional audio-based triggers would require venue-by-venue testing, something unrealistic for a group performing this often and this widely. To solve that, the tour is using CUE’s Global Sync method, allowing each Light Show to be triggered with a single command that ensures consistent results at every event.

The CUE Platform also seamlessly supports the Globetrotters’ three-squad structure. On any given night, basketball games may be happening in several cities at once. The Light Show platform is divided into three touring environments—one for each squad—ensuring shows run independently without cross-triggering between venues.

“The Globetrotters have such a rich history of bringing people together, and helping them add something new to that experience has been incredibly rewarding,” said Anna Pence of CUE’s Client Success team. “Seeing the Light Show perform seamlessly at Madison Square Garden was very exciting. It has been a privilege supporting them as they bring this great event to arenas around the world.”

As one of CUE’s newest team members, this project marks a milestone moment for Pence. Before joining CUE, she spent years working in live production at the University of Georgia, experience that now translates directly into supporting large-scale entertainment properties like the Globetrotters’ international tour.

The tour opened at the world-renowned Madison Square Garden, where the Light Show helped set the tone for a historic season. And now, as the Globetrotters continue their anniversary tour around the world, this same experience will travel with them—bringing a unified moment of light, energy, and connection to arenas across the globe.