Elevating Game Day: How Sky Elements Brought Drone Shows to Oracle Park

From Innovation to Tradition.

San Francisco has become known for two things — technology innovation and environmental protection. These themes are woven into the city’s culture, and the San Francisco Giants wanted to bring them to life in their game-day entertainment. The choice was simple — a Sky Elements drone show. Replacing a few traditional fireworks shows at Oracle Park, Sky Elements delivered world-class drone shows that aligned perfectly with the city’s values.

This case study highlights the benefits of this shift, showcased through two spectacular events: one in collaboration with Blue Moon and another centered around a family-friendly night at Oracle Park.

'Once in a Blue Moon' Drone Show

On August 19, 2024, the Giants hosted a special postgame drone show in collaboration with Blue Moon Brewing Company. Coinciding with a rare blue supermoon, the event featured 450 drones aninmated to enhance the already amazing moon and highlighted the sponsor's branding. The unique combination of a rare supermoon and a drone show may be a once in a lifteime experience. 

Family Movie Night: A Crowd Favorite

Later that month, on August 30, the Giants presented a drone show themed around beloved family movie characters. Fans were treated to drone show recreations of iconic figures like Woody from Toy Story, Joy from Inside Out, and Lightning McQueen from Cars. The show concluded with the Giants' mascot, Lou Seal, making a grand appearance in the sky, leaving attendees of all ages in awe.

Fireworks Vs Drone Shows

For decades, fireworks have been a staple at baseball games — hot dogs, beer, and fireworks have been part of the tradition. But as times change, so do the ways we celebrate. We are now at a crossroads where two new developments are redefining entertainment:

Drone Shows: Sky Elements has transformed drone shows into an immersive, unforgettable experience.

Environmental Responsibility: Fireworks, while iconic, come with drawbacks — air pollution, noise pollution, and leftover debris.

With a growing focus on sustainability, the San Francisco Giants wanted an option that reflected their commitment to the environment without losing the wow factor. Partnering with Sky Elements allowed them to achieve both.

What Drones Do Different

Drone shows have quickly become the newest baseball tradition across MLB, and Sky Elements has proudly led this innovation. Each stadium offers unique advantages for drone shows, and the Giants took full advantage of theirs.

Oracle Park: The Giants used China Basin Park as the launch site for their drone shows, avoiding the need for a costly fireworks barge while providing fans with a perfect view from their seats.

Dodger Stadium: Known for noise complaints from fireworks, Dodgers fans now enjoy stunning drone shows without disrupting the neighborhood’s peace.

Angel Stadium: Drone shows have become a fan-favorite for theme nights, featuring designs like the Millennium Falcon for Star Wars Night or Santa’s sleigh for Christmas in July.

One of the most significant advantages of drone shows is their ability to integrate sponsors directly into the performance. Logos, branding, and themed designs can be seamlessly woven into the display.

Sponsoring a Drone Show

Sponsoring a drone show is one of the most cost-effective ways for teams or event hosts to add unforgettable entertainment. It’s a win-win situation: the host reduces costs, while the sponsor gains brand exposure to a live audience.

The San Francisco Giants capitalized on this by partnering with Blue Moon for one of their shows. Blue Moon saw a unique opportunity — a real blue moon was visible over Oracle Park, and they wanted to take advantage of it.

If you’re not familiar, a “blue moon” isn’t when the moon looks blue but rather when there are two full moons in one month. Blue Moon’s idea was simple but brilliant — fly their logo with a drone show alongside the real blue moon. Sky Elements turned this vision into reality, delivering a one-of-a-kind experience for fans.

Sponsors of drone shows have endless options for customization. From displaying a logo at the end of the show to designing a custom sequence that ties directly to the sponsor’s brand, the possibilities are endless. This makes drone shows an incredibly versatile and engaging marketing tool.