Stadiums are undergoing digital transformation, integrating technologies such as 5G, IoT, AI, augmented reality, and digital twins to become more connected and efficient. These technologies support enhanced fan engagement through features like real-time statistics, personalized content, and interactive gaming, while also improving operations through smart crowd management, edge computing, and predictive maintenance. Additional services such as cashless payments, location-based tools, and AI-powered navigation contribute to greater convenience and safety. Together, these developments enable stadiums to function as smart environments that support seamless communication, data-driven decision-making, and interactive experiences. This integrated approach combines on-field technologies with a digital infrastructure to improve both spectator experience and venue operations.
Private 5G (P5G) has the potential to play a central role in this transformation. It offers greater performance than traditional Wi-Fi and more flexibility than public 5G networks, particularly with the advancement of Open RAN standards and increased use of cloud and edge computing. While still in the early stages of adoption, P5G shows clear potential for use in fan engagement, operational control, security, and the real-time handling and distribution of media content.
Online content published since 2022 that related to P5G for stadiums was collected and filtered using proprietary web crawling, AI, and NLP tools, yielding a corpus of 75 relevant impressions (ALL CONTENT). Of this, 73 focused on company activity in the sector (RICH CONTENT), identifying 117 companies. Approximately 8.0 % of the content in the corpus referenced multiple industry verticals in addition to stadiums, with an average of between 2 and 3 other industries mentioned in this content.
The chart compares the content corpus for P5G for stadiums against other industry verticals to gauge relative market momentum. The analysis indicates that stadiums are currently a niche market segment for P5G.
Natural language processing (NLP) and AI tools were used to identify companies mentioned in the content corpus, measure their prevalence (BREADTH), and evaluate how frequently they appear alongside other companies (DEPTH). Of the 117 companies identified, the ranking of the top 10 is shown in the chart below.
Verizon is deploying P5G networks in stadiums, such as the new Highmark Stadium, and several NHL arenas to enhance the fan experience and improve venue operations. They own and manage the Distributed Antenna System (DAS) for high-capacity wireless coverage, enabling seamless mobile use, real-time video analytics, secure communications, and operational efficiencies. Verizon's P5G supports applications such as coach-to-coach dialogue, crowd analytics, cashierless retail, and accessibility solutions for fans with disabilities. These networks deliver dedicated bandwidth separate from public Wi-Fi, ensuring reliable, low-latency connectivity critical for smooth stadium operations and immersive fan engagement.
NLP and AI techniques were used to identify and classify keywords and phrases in the content corpus into 23 topics. Their frequency was measured (BREADTH) and their inter-relationships analyzed (DEPTH). The chart below shows the top 10 topics.
The most prominent topics in online content today are compute and communications, fan and audience experience,. We expect the same themes to prevail for the foreseeable future.
Most stadiums are equipped with extensive Wi-Fi networks, along with small-cell and distributed antenna systems (DAS) to support public 4G/LTE and 5G services. This analysis, however, focuses specifically on stadiums that have implemented P5G, either through dedicated infrastructure using licensed spectrum or via dedicated network slices provisioned on public 5G networks. Notable deployments are outlined below.
The King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, Belgium's largest, with nearly 50,000 seats, regularly hosts national football matches, the Belgian Cup final, and major concerts. During the 2025 Belgian Cup Final, the stadium hosted a successful P5G proof-of-concept trial led by Sony, NEP Europe, and Citymesh for DPG Media. The P5G network supported two live broadcast workflows: direct cloud uploads using Sony FX3 cameras, and remote production with Sony FX9 units connected to media edge processors and outside broadcast (OB) vans. Despite a packed stadium, the system delivered high-quality, low-latency video transmission without congestion, showcasing the potential of P5G as a reliable, high-performance alternative to traditional broadcast infrastructure.
In February 2024, Verizon announced a multi-year agreement with the National Hockey League (NHL) to deploy P5G networks across NHL arenas in the United States and Canada. Verizon Business is currently piloting these networks in select venues, with plans to expand to all arenas in future seasons. The P5G infrastructure is designed to enhance game day operations, supporting use cases such as wireless iPads for officials' replay reviews, video coaching, and real-time communication between coaches and video staff. By leveraging 5G and Mobile Edge Computing (MEC), the networks reduce latency and enable immersive, interactive experiences. Additional applications include improved services for spectators, enhanced in-game efficiency for match officials and coaches, and support for next-generation broadcast capabilities.
Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark's largest football venue with a capacity of approximately 38,000, is home to FC Copenhagen and the Danish national team, and regularly hosts major concerts and events. In a landmark trial, the stadium served as the site for a P5G deployment led by Ericsson, 3 Denmark, TV 2, and Sony, demonstrating the use of a 5G standalone (SA) mmWave network for live sports broadcasting. The trial combined 20 MHz of C-band and 800 MHz of mmWave spectrum to deliver ultra-high bandwidth and low latency, supporting four 5G broadcast cameras and a drone camera, all of which required sustained high uplink performance. This wireless setup enabled mobile, cable-free live video production with greater flexibility and security, even in a densely populated stadium environment. The system was designed with enough capacity to scale to full arena TV production, showcasing how P5G can transform live sports coverage while potentially reducing costs by minimizing the need for large onsite crews and tethered equipment.
The Orange Vélodrome in Marseille is France's second-largest stadium, seating around 67,400 spectators. Home to Olympique de Marseille, it hosts major football and rugby matches, concerts, and other large-scale events, featuring a modern roof and fully renovated stands. The stadium’s P5G network, operated by Orange’s TOTEM, is a dedicated system built on a Distributed Antenna System (DAS). Running on 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz spectrum with support for dedicated network slices and AWS edge computing, the network delivers optimized, low-latency services to different user groups via micro-slicing. It supports secure team communications through push-to-talk apps, facilitates cashless concessions, and enables efficient video production with remote camera control. By reducing the need for on-site technical infrastructure and enabling real-time media workflows and faster transactions, the P5G network significantly enhances both event operations and the spectator experience.
The Stade de France in Paris is the country's largest stadium, with a capacity of around 80,700. Initially built for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, it regularly hosts major sporting events, concerts, and served as a central venue for the 2024 Olympics. For the Olympics, the stadium was allocated dedicated radio spectrum to support the deployment of a P5G network tailored for the event. Operated by Orange and using equipment from vendors such as Cisco, the network was designed to meet the demanding needs of broadcasters, offering ultra-low latency, high-speed uploads, and enhanced security for live streaming and media production across more than 120 Olympic sites.
SAP Garden in Munich is a state-of-the-art 11,500-seat indoor arena located in Olympic Park, serving as the home of EHC Red Bull Munich hockey and FC Bayern basketball. Completed in 2023, the venue features innovative seating and three ice rinks. A P5G network, deployed by O2 Telefónica, was installed to deliver high data speeds, low latency, and guaranteed bandwidth, particularly for professional broadcast cameras and real-time analytics. Operating on the 3.6 GHz frequency band, the network provides seamless coverage across indoor and outdoor areas, including locker rooms, basement levels, parking, and supply zones. It enhances both operational efficiency and the fan experience, enabling advanced digital applications such as flexible live broadcasting and on-site smartphone integration.
Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, Germany's largest football stadium with over 81,000 seats, is renowned for its iconic “Yellow Wall” and is home to Borussia Dortmund. In April 2025, the stadium hosted a P5G proof-of-concept trial focused on media production, particularly live TV broadcasting. The non-public, standalone 5G network, deployed using Ericsson equipment and operating in the 3.7–3.8 GHz spectrum band, delivered high-speed, ultra-low latency connectivity exclusively for wireless cameras and broadcast teams. Portable "dot antennas" provided targeted coverage in key areas of the venue, enabling stable, interference-free video streaming and real-time production workflows. Although temporary, the trial demonstrated the strong potential of P5G networks to support secure, flexible, and efficient media operations at large-scale sporting events.
Aviva Stadium, a modern 51,700-seat venue in Dublin, Ireland, is home to the national rugby and football teams. In June 2025, the stadium announced the deployment of a P5G network to operate alongside a public 5G neutral host system, developed in partnership with Vodafone Ireland and infrastructure provider Shared Access, which secured spectrum in the 3.4–3.8 GHz band to support the rollout. The private network offers high-speed, low-latency connectivity tailored for critical functions such as venue management, security, staff communications, and real-time analytics. It enables advanced applications, such as augmented and virtual reality, for fan engagement, and supports live streaming and broadcast production with dedicated, congestion-free bandwidth during significant events. The system also integrates sustainable digital electricity solutions to enhance energy efficiency and supports accessibility tools, including vision enhancement for visually impaired spectators. Operating in parallel with public 5G, the private network is purpose-built for secure, resilient performance across all operational and event-driven use cases.
HaMoshava Stadium in Petah Tikva, Israel, is a modern 11,500-seat football venue completed in 2011, serving as the home ground for both Hapoel Petah Tikva and Maccabi Petah Tikva. During the 2021–2022 period, the stadium launched a P5G network aimed at enhancing fan experiences and improving operational efficiency. Developed in partnership with local technology firms—Tibar (infrastructure and investment), Runel (P5G platform), and Stadicom (application management)—the network provides fast and reliable connectivity throughout the stadium. It supports real-time features, including live video streaming from player-mounted cameras, multi-angle viewing, and in-game statistics. Fans benefit from immersive elements like 3D replays and interactive apps, while staff gain improved communication tools and streamlined operations. The network also acts as a testbed for startups experimenting with next-generation 5G sports technologies.
RAI Amsterdam, a major convention and exhibition center located in the city's Zuidas district, features 22 conference rooms, 11 halls, and over 1.1 million square feet of exhibition space, hosting approximately 600 events annually. In early 2024, it became one of the first large event venues in Europe to deploy a P5G network, developed in partnership with NTT Data and Cisco. The network, which debuted at the Cisco-Live event, delivers fast, secure, and reliable connectivity far beyond traditional Wi-Fi, enabling advanced use cases such as real-time interactive video streaming, crowd and visitor flow management, and the operation of drones, cleaning robots, and autonomous vehicles. Operating on the mid-band spectrum in the 3.4–3.8 GHz range, specifically 3400–3450 MHz and 3750–3800 MHz, under local enterprise licenses, the network offers high capacity and low latency, making it ideal for large-scale venues. This deployment not only enhances operational efficiency and the visitor experience but also positions RAI Amsterdam as a leading smart venue and innovation hub in Europe.
Estadio da Luz, Portugal's largest football stadium and home to S.L. Benfica, is located in Lisbon and has hosted numerous major UEFA finals. Since 2021, it has operated a purpose-built P5G network, installed by NOS (the network operator), featuring dedicated infrastructure designed to deliver high-speed, reliable wireless connectivity for large-scale sporting events. Beyond enhanced broadband, the network enables real-time capabilities, including multi-angle camera feeds, instant match statistics, live video streaming, and immersive AR/VR experiences. It also provides secure, high-performance communications for stadium staff and team analysts, supporting game management, broadcast production, and operational coordination. Together, these features enhance both the fan experience and the stadium's overall efficiency.
Estadio Jose Alvalade, a 50,000-seat stadium in Lisbon built for the UEFA Euro 2004 tournament, has been the home of Sporting Clube de Portugal since its opening in 2003. In 2021, it deployed a P5G network in partnership with NOS, similar to the deployment at Estádio da Luz. The network enables advanced capabilities, such as high-definition, low-latency live broadcasting with multiple 5G camera feeds, real-time video streaming via mobile transmitters, and immersive fan experiences, including live holographic player interviews. Fully isolated from NOS’s public 5G infrastructure, the private network provides exclusive control, dedicated bandwidth, and enhanced security, supporting stadium operations, media production, and interactive event services.
Camp Nou, located in Barcelona and home to FC Barcelona since 1957, is the largest stadium in Europe, with a seating capacity of approximately 99,300. In mid-2024, the stadium partnered with Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE) to deploy a P5G network alongside its existing public 5G infrastructure. The P5G network is intended to support core stadium operations, real-time data analytics, and fan-facing digital services. It is integrated with the venue’s broader technology systems to improve connectivity, network performance, and operational reliability.
Abanca-Riazor Stadium is a 32,490-seat venue in A Coruna and has been home to Deportivo de La Coruna since 1944. It also hosted matches during the 1982 World Cup. In 2020, the stadium partnered with Telefonica to deploy a P5G network operating on both 3.5 GHz and millimeter wave frequencies, utilizing a combination of standalone (SA) and non-standalone (NSA) core technologies. The network supports high data rates and low latency, enabling applications such as multiple ultra-HD video streams and robotic camera control for live broadcasts. Edge computing is integrated to support automated TV production using AI, as well as interactive features for fans, including augmented reality heat maps and real-time services like KissCam.
Wembley Stadium, a 90,000-seat venue in London and home to the England national football team, is known for its iconic arch, introduced in 2007. In early 2025, the stadium launched a PG standalone (SA) network in partnership with EE. Built on a fully independent 5G core, separate from legacy 4G infrastructure, the network delivers high throughput, ultra-low latency, and increased capacity, tailored to meet the demands of large-scale events. It provides stable, high-performance connectivity for spectators, supporting seamless live streaming, real-time social media use, and enhanced digital fan experiences, even during peak crowd activity. Behind the scenes, the P5G-SA network powers essential stadium operations, including secure transaction processing and live broadcast workflows.
SailGP Portsmouth, a major onshore sailing race venue at Southsea Common, hosts around 20,000 spectators for high-speed F50 catamaran events. In July 2025, the site deployed a P5G network led by BT Group in collaboration with Ericsson and Nokia. The system featured two dedicated 5G standalone (SA) network slices built on BT\'s EE 5G core, configured explicitly for critical race operations, including real-time voice communications, telemetry, onboard video feeds from the 12 F50 catamarans, and live camera streaming for race officials. The private network was integrated with public 5G slices to support secure point-of-sale systems and immersive fan experiences, including a 360-degree AR/VR zone. Sony contributed to live broadcast trials using low-latency, high-capacity uplinks to stream HD video globally. With ultra-low latency and multi-gigabit throughput, the network enabled real-time data processing, race adjudication, and seamless media coverage.
Selhurst Park, a 25,000-seat football stadium in Croydon, London, has been the home of Crystal Palace FC since 1924 and is renowned for its traditional design, the iconic Holmesdale Stand, and a passionate fan base. On September 21, 2024, the stadium launched a P5G network during the Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United match. Designed and installed by Shared Access using dedicated radio spectrum, the network provides ultra-low latency and reliable coverage across the venue. One of its key applications is supporting the GiveVision headset system, which streams live, stereoscopic match footage in real time to fans with visual impairments, offering an immersive experience without broadcast delay. The network is actively monitored and managed through the Neutroon platform to ensure consistent, high-performance operation.
In early 2025, Project ARANA, led by Weaver Labs, was announced as an initiative demonstrating advanced private 5G capabilities at the 30,500-seat MK Dons Stadium, home of Milton Keynes Dons Football Club. Supported by £3.6 million in UK government funding, the project combines OpenRAN technology with AI-driven network management to provide reliable connectivity for fans and event organizers. By integrating OpenRAN into an advanced edge computing environment, the solution enables application providers to use APIs to manage network services and deliver AI-powered analytics, real-time streaming, and immersive fan experiences, creating new business model opportunities for the stadium. Developed in collaboration with industry and academic partners, Project ARANA is positioned as a reference model for commercial 5G deployment in stadiums.
Truist Park is a 41,500-seat baseball stadium near Atlanta and has served as the home of the Atlanta Braves since its opening in 2027. In July 2025, the venue hosted a P5G deployment by T-Mobile during the MLB All-Star Week. The network uses a standalone 5G infrastructure with ultra-low latency and network slicing to support various operational and broadcast functions. It enabled the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system for real-time pitch tracking and supported a 55-camera live production setup for Fox Sports, which included wireless cameras, drones, and umpire body cameras. The network also provided dedicated communication channels for MLB staff and first responders through T-Mobile’s T-Priority service. In addition to media and operational use, it supported features such as 360-degree drone footage and facial recognition entry for staff, with coverage extending into the adjacent Battery Atlanta entertainment district.
The Buffalo Bills' new Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, is a 62,000-seat open-air football venue scheduled to open in 2026. As part of its infrastructure planning, the stadium has partnered with Verizon, which will serve as the exclusive wireless telecommunications provider and a founding partner. Verizon will install a P5G network in parallel with a neutral host Distributed Antenna System (DAS) that supports multiple mobile carriers. The P5G network will support key stadium operations, including coach-to-coach communications, ticketing, and point-of-sale systems, providing low-latency, high-throughput connectivity. It is designed to accommodate up to 60,000 spectators and will include coverage for surrounding areas such as parking lots and tailgating zones. The deployment will use a combination of midband, C-band, and high-band mmWave spectrum to support reliable, high-capacity wireless services.
Implementing P5G in stadiums presents several challenges, particularly due to the significant upfront investment and the technical complexity involved. Most venues are already equipped with extensive WiFi infrastructure and, in many cases, distributed antenna systems that support public 4G, LTE, and 5G services. This existing infrastructure can make it difficult to justify the cost of deploying a separate P5G network unless the benefits are clearly defined and measurable. Access to suitable radio spectrum adds another layer of difficulty, especially in regions where dedicated licenses are limited. In such cases, stadium operators may need to rely on virtual network segments provided by public 5G carriers, which introduces additional technical and integration challenges.
For the market to grow, stadium owners need to see a clear return on investment that creates competitive pressure to adopt the technology. Achieving this requires strong collaboration with experienced technology partners who can deliver solutions that go beyond basic connectivity to unlock new revenue opportunities and improve operational efficiency. The success of P5G also depends on the development of a mature application ecosystem. Advanced capabilities such as real-time video streaming, interactive fan experiences, intelligent crowd management, and data-driven venue operations rely on a range of compatible applications and services. Without this broader ecosystem, even technically successful deployments may fall short of delivering the business value needed to support wider adoption.
P5G represents a promising foundation for the next generation of smart stadiums, offering secure, high-capacity, low-latency connectivity that supports both advanced fan experiences and more efficient venue operations. As demonstrated by early deployments across Europe, North America, and beyond, P5G enables a wide range of transformative use cases, from immersive media and broadcast production to real-time analytics, crowd control, and staff communications. These projects highlight the potential for P5G to enhance both the commercial and operational value of stadiums, particularly when integrated with edge computing, artificial intelligence, and modern digital platforms.
However, widespread adoption remains contingent on overcoming key barriers, including high deployment costs, spectrum availability, and the maturity of supporting ecosystems. To succeed, stadium owners must view P5G not simply as a connectivity upgrade but as a strategic enabler of new revenue models, operational resilience, and competitive differentiation. Realizing this potential will require continued innovation, strong partnerships with technology providers, and a commitment to building the application frameworks that turn connectivity into meaningful value. As these elements align, P5G is likely to become a defining feature of digitally advanced sports and entertainment venues in the years ahead.
Phil Marshall's involvement in the mobile industry began in the late 1990s with research into CDMA-based spectrum sharing and advanced radio propagation modelling. He later moved into network construction and operations, working across 1G, 2G, and 3G networks in New Zealand, Mexico, and Indonesia, before covering 4G and 5G as an industry analyst. He is now actively researching the evolution toward 6G.
Marshall also brings deep experience in artificial intelligence and natural language processing, fields he has worked in for many years. More recently, he has combined these capabilities to develop Tolaga’s Web Analytics Platform.
Marshall is a dual citizen of the United States and New Zealand and currently resides in Auckland, New Zealand.
Contact: philip.marshall@tolaga.com