Stadium Connectivity: Meeting Operational and Guest Needs

At the recent SCWS Saudi Arabia stadiums session, Simon Fletcher, CEO of Real Wireless, spoke about the role of wireless connectivity in stadium environments. Drawing from experiences with venues like Tottenham Hotspur FC, Wembley Stadium, and Everton FC, he highlighted the need to balance operational requirements with the visitor experience.

Key Connectivity Needs

Simon identified the essential connectivity needs for stadiums:

Operational:

  • Safety and security
  • Staff and emergency communications
  • PMR, cellular, Wi-Fi, and IoT integration
  • Event owner radio communications

Guest Experience:

  • Mobile ticketing
  • Wayfinding
  • Fan safety and security
  • Uploads and streaming social sharing
  • Mobile payments
  • Event information
  • Access to social media
  • Offers and deals

To meet these needs, Simon emphasised the importance of integrating wireless connectivity into a stadium’s digital strategy. He explained that by incorporating the right technologies, venues can address the demands of running a stadium with these essential needs but also provide the flexibility to adapt to future advancements.

Simon also highlighted how a well-designed wireless strategy enriches the digital experience for all stakeholders — including players, staff, guests, and partners. Enhanced connectivity enables essential services like mobile ticketing, streaming, and real-time communication, which are key to improving engagement and satisfaction. This approach ensures that stadiums are not just functional spaces, but dynamic environments that offer a modern, connected experience.

Central to this approach is the concept of a Wireless Fabric, a multi-layered connectivity solution that ensures the right connectivity solutions are adopted to meet the requirements of the digital strategy, using appropriate technologies such as Wi-Fi, small cells, and DAS. This ensures consistent and reliable performance tailored to different areas and needs within the venue. By adopting this approach, stadiums can operate more efficiently, deliver superior guest experiences, and position themselves as world-class connected venues ready for the future.

As Saudi Arabia looks ahead to hosting international events like the FIFA 2034 World Cup, it is clear that connectivity will play a crucial role in supporting these ambitions.

To achieve optimum service in these environments, it is advisable to have an independent expert involved early on in the planning stages. This is to develop the requirements that encapsulate the wireless fabric needs to deliver against the digital strategy, develop the specifications & support the tender process for different wireless technologies and provide independent oversight into the detailed design and delivery of each of the wireless technologies required.