5G and Wi-Fi: What is the Future of Stadium Connectivity?

Imagine being at the heart of the action at the Super Bowl or the DAYTONA 500, surrounded by the electrifying energy of tens of thousands of fans. In these moments, staying connected is crucial, whether you’re sharing the thrill on social media or accessing real-time updates. Both iconic events attract large crowds and serve as prime examples of how 5G and Wi-Fi technologies are employed to enhance the fan experience and enable smooth operations. 

There is always an ongoing debate about whether 5G or Wi-Fi is the superior technology, but in reality, both have their unique benefits and complement each other and will for the foreseeable future. The synergy between the two technologies enables fans at events such as the Super Bowl and DAYTONA 500 enjoy the best of both worlds. While 5G can handle the demands of a sprawling crowd, Wi-Fi handles robust connectivity within the stadium or venue, maximizing the fan experience and powering stadium technology like POS systems, biometrics, and more. 

Data overview

At the DAYTONA 500, connectivity metrics soared as excited fans shared the excitement and captured unforgettable moments. At the Super Bowl, analytics revealed large spikes in traffic during key moments. Analyzing these events reveals both the similarities and differences in how 5G and Wi-Fi were utilized to handle the massive demand for data. Understanding these differences not only highlights the strengths of each technology but also underscores their complementary nature in delivering an unparalleled fan experience. 

ExtremeCloud Business Insights played a crucial role in gathering data from both the Super Bowl and DAYTONA 500, showcasing the effective use of connectivity technologies in high-density environments. 

The DAYTONA 500 demonstrated the success of a wireless network built specifically for a dense crowd, with a staggering 31.4 TB of data transferred across 40,687 clients, and a peak of 17,432 clients. For reference, 31.4 TB of data is enough data to stream the entire DAYONA 500 race over 15,700 times in HD. The volume per client averaged 772.7 MB, reflecting the seamless connectivity that kept fans engaged throughout the event. Utilizing ExtremeWireless, the DAYTONA 500 achieved a 40% Wi-Fi adoption rate, highlighting the effectiveness of the solution in delivering reliable connectivity. 

Conversely, at Super Bowl LIX, where Extreme only provided network analytics, a total of 17.2 TB of data was transferred among 13,672 clients, with the peak number of clients reaching 7,507. Though many fans opted to use the broadband network, Wi-Fi analytics captured some impressive moments of connectivity, such as 11.2 Gbps during the teams' entrance onto the field and 10.4 Gbps during the halftime show.

5G vs. Wi-Fi overview

Carrier offload

Carrier offload plays a pivotal role in managing network congestion, particularly in high-density environments like stadiums. Wi-Fi offloads traffic from cellular networks, improving performance for both Wi-Fi and cellular users. This offloading is especially beneficial during peak usage periods, ensuring that fans receive the best possible connection without any hitches.

“If you are connected to the Wi-Fi, it actually overrides 5G today. If you are on Wi-Fi, you have to specifically go and turn your Wi-Fi off to be on 5G. It is supposed to be transparent to the fan. As you walk into the stadium, your device is going to pick up the best connection for you.” - Aaron Amendolia, Deputy CIO of the NFL 

Complementary technologies

5G and Wi-Fi serve complementary roles at major events, each bringing unique strengths to the table. Although 5G offers high-speed connectivity and extensive coverage, Wi-Fi continues to be crucial for stadium deployments because of its cost-efficiency and superior bandwidth capacity. The combination of both technologies helps create more comprehensive coverage, leveraging the strengths of each to enhance the overall experience for fans. 

“Is 5G going to win? Is Wi-Fi going to win? Is private LTE going to win? For us, we feel like the venue and the fans need all of it right now. Connectivity is paramount, and they all serve a purpose. 5G serves common fans in our ballpark and a typical fan who needs to consume content on their mobile devices using 5G for the most part. But if you want high-bandwidth content, you want to be streaming other events, you want that high-speed connectivity, that high-quality video, you need reliable connectivity. You are going to go to Wi-Fi. For the foreseeable future, we need all of it.” - Bill Schlough, SVP and CIO of the San Francisco Giants 

Benefits of Wi-Fi Scalability

Wi-Fi's scalability is one of its best features, allowing it to expand from a single access point to tens of thousands, accommodating venues of all sizes. This flexibility provided by Wi-Fi can handle varying levels of demand, from regular daily use to peak moments at major events like the highly anticipated Super Bowl kickoff or the thrilling flyover at the DAYTONA 500. It also enables venues like Brigham Young University’s LaVell Edwards Stadium to keep up with changing needs from season to season.

Enhanced visitor experience

Seamless Wi-Fi connectivity allows attendees to share their experiences in real-time via social media, access event-specific apps, and stay connected to friends and family. High-quality Wi-Fi enables uninterrupted streaming, quick downloads, and smooth browsing, significantly enhancing the visitor’s experience. Fans can immerse themselves fully in the event without worrying about connectivity issues.

Wi-Fi analytics

Wi-Fi analytics solutions, such as ExtremeCloud Business Insights, offer powerful tools for understanding network usage. By capturing data on user behavior, including connection points and application usage, venues can gain valuable insights. This information helps optimize network coverage, improve service delivery, and tailor marketing efforts, ultimately enhancing the visitor’s experience.

Wi-Fi analytics can also identify high-traffic areas and peak usage times, which aids in better resource allocation and crowd management. Understanding visitor demographics and preferences allows venues to offer personalized experiences, such as targeted promotions or customized content. This level of insight transforms how venues interact with their guests, providing a more engaging and personalized experience.

“On the business side, it’s about increasing information we can bring together about a fan, not just their transactional history, but their interaction history from a sales and marketing standpoint, and understanding what fans are after and what fans need.” – Brian Himstedt, CIO and VP of Technology and Business Analytics, Kansas City Royals 

The ultimate fan experience at major events

While both 5G and Wi-Fi are indispensable for enabling connectivity at major events, they serve different purposes and complement each other beautifully. The combination of both technologies provides a better coverage to help make sure that fans stay connected and enjoy a seamless experience. As Bill Schlough, CIO and SVP for the San Francisco Giants, aptly states, for the foreseeable future, we need all of it to meet the connectivity demands of today's modern venues. The collaboration of 5G and Wi-Fi technologies is not just a technical necessity but a celebration of how far we've come in enhancing the fan experience at iconic events like the Super Bowl and DAYTONA 500.

Learn more about Extreme Networks partnerships with NASCAR and the NFL.