When people think about WiFi access, they often think about connecting their phones or laptops to networks at home, work, or somewhere like a coffee shop. However, an often overlooked situation is the logistics of curating WiFi systems for live events with a high volume of attendees, such as concerts and music festivals.

For concerts and other live events, WiFi access is crucial for both performers and audiences alike. Venues have adapted their approach and now install WiFi systems and smart technologies that can handle the large numbers of users and network traffic expected during a major event.

Read on to discover the many ways in which WiFi is being used at concerts, both indoors and outdoors, and to learn about some of the considerations venues need to make when curating their own WiFi infrastructures and smart technology systems.

• Why Do Venues Need WiFi Services?
  • WiFi Is a Necessity for All Live Events
  • WiFi Services Allow More Monetization Opportunities
  • WiFi Services Can Help Venues Run Efficiently
• How Can Venues Provide Sufficient WiFi Coverage?
  • High Bandwidth
  • Multiple Skillfully Placed Access Points
  • Appropriate Channel Width
  • Captive Portals

Why Do Venues Need WiFi Services?

A venue’s primary source of income comes from booking successful events. In order to establish a loyal and returning customer base, venues must offer quality services that meet the needs of the promoters, performers, and attendees.

After all, happy customers are repeat customers. One of the best ways to keep your customers happy is to provide them with strong and stable WiFi access. Here are four reasons why your venue needs reliable WiFi services.

WiFi Is a Necessity for All Live Events

Most people nowadays love to share their life experiences on multiple social media outlets. Sharing photos and videos has become one of the strongest motivations for people to attend live events. Part of the draw of an artist or a concert includes the social capital attendees will gain from participating in the live event.

Music Fans are Willing to Pay for Live Coverage

Nowadays, people are willing to pay for live streams of events – from music performances, to Twitch gaming streams. As a tool to promote a larger audience, live streaming can provide a wonderful gateway for fans to participate, even when they are physically unable to attend – as the whole world learned during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Live Sports Events Require Massive Data Use

The average American consumes 3.64GB of data per day. Users within stadiums consume similar amounts of data — however, when you go to a live sporting event, the number of users increases exponentially. Stadium Tech Report found that on average, each user at Super Bowl LIV in Miami consumed 595.6 megabytes of data over the course of the game — adding up to 26.42 terabytes of total data consumed.

As you can see, having a reliable and stable WiFi connection is now a requirement for all types of live events. Performers and live coverage event promoters expect it, and attendees demand it.

WiFi Services Allow More Monetization Opportunities

A common practice among many businesses is to offer customers the ability to log in to their WiFi networks in exchange for some personal information, or to watch an advertisement clip. The revenue opportunities that venues can take in during an event attendees’ WiFi login process is a major factor to consider.

Opportunity to Collect Customer Data

When customers log in to your venue WiFi, you can collect useful contact information like their name and email address. The data is extremely valuable, as it allows you to quickly create a database of potential customers you can reach out and market to for future events, provided you seek customers’ consent before doing so.

The login process is a perfect opportunity to engage with your attendees and gain insight into their profiles and interests. Through the consumer login process, and consistent with your privacy policy, which you should make available to customers, you can gather information such as the types of devices used to connect to WiFi and leverage the interests of individuals to target advertising for upcoming events. This process is also helpful in creating and supporting and anticipating guests’ needs.

With this data, you can offer more personalized content and experiences to enhance the entire live event experience.

Offer Partnerships With Event Promoters

Events and artists make a big chunk of their revenue from selling merchandise. The WiFi login portal page for your event is an excellent platform from which to advertise and sell merchandise.

There’s partnership potential where a venue might help the artist or event planner to market and sell their merchandise through its WiFi login page — a great way to generate additional revenue for the venue while also providing value to the event promoter.

Cross-Selling and Upselling Events

Another way to monetize your venue WiFi is cross-selling and upselling current and future events. Today, most event sales and purchases are accessible online — so if someone is attending a concert at your venue, you can use the opportunity to upsell them on VIP tickets or exclusive online merchandise. Or, if they’re attending a conference, you can cross-sell them on future events that might interest them.

Increased Marketing Partnership

By offering WiFi services, you are opening up your venue to increase marketing partnership opportunities. Businesses always look for new and innovative ways to reach their target audiences. You can provide businesses with the ability to brand their login page, advertise their products and services, and even offer coupons and discounts.

WiFi Services Can Help Venues Run Efficiently

Every business owner knows that controlling costs is one of the keys to running a successful operation. There are many different ways to save money by pairing various smart technology functions with your venue’s WiFi system.

IoT Enablement Smart Technology Tracking Features

When a customer connects to a venue’s WiFi network, the venue can track that customer’s movements and behavior. This information can help venue managers understand what areas of the venue are used the most, what times of day are busiest, and even how long customers spend in each area.

Using Tracking Features to Improve Customer Experience

The information gathered from tracking a customer’s location can be used to adjust and improve the overall customer experience. For example, if a venue sees a high amount of foot traffic in one area compared to another, they may decide to move some of their furniture or displays around to encourage more traffic in the less popular area.

On the other hand, if they see that customers are only spending a few minutes in one area but much longer in another, the venue may decide to add more seating or make other changes to encourage customers to spend more time in that location.

Helping Venues Save Money

WiFi services can also help venues save money by reducing energy costs. Many newer routers and access points come with energy-saving features that can make a big difference to your bottom line.

For example, some devices will automatically power down when they’re not in use or go into standby mode when there’s no activity. These features could lead to savings on your electric bill each month.

How Can Venues Provide Sufficient WiFi Coverage?

One of the most common complaints from event attendees is that they can’t get a good WiFi signal. It is crucial for venues to consider how they can ensure strong, reliable WiFi that can handle many users at once. There are many factors that are essential for a venue to be able to provide good WiFi coverage.

High Bandwidth

One of the most important factors for good WiFi coverage is high bandwidth. Higher bandwidth means more data can be transferred per second, which is essential for many users who may be streaming video or working on tasks requiring a lot of data transfer.

Multiple Skillfully Placed Access Points

Another vital factor is multiple skillfully placed access points. Having multiple access points ensures that there are no dead spots in the coverage area and that all users can connect to the network regardless of where they are in the venue. This feature is crucial for outdoor concert WiFi installation in particular, due to the fact that it can be challenging to place access points in optimal locations while ensuring they remain protected from the elements.

Appropriate Channel Width

For multiple access points to work well together at a venue, they must be configured with appropriate channel widths. Channel width refers to the amount of spectrum available by the Access Point. A wider channel width means more data can be transferred, and the network can support more users. Wide channels are crucial to allow for the transfer of large amounts of data and the high numbers of users at event venues.

Captive Portals

Finally, captive portals are essential for ensuring only event-goers have access to your network. Captive portals are landing pages that are displayed to users when they try to connect to a network. They typically require users to log in or register before they can gain access to the internet. This system prevents outsiders from hijacking your bandwidth and ensures your WiFi connection is dedicated to only your event attendees, performers, and employees.

Update Your WiFi System Professionally

A strong WiFi system is no longer a luxury for businesses — it’s a necessity. In areas like stadiums, arenas, and other concert halls or venues, people constantly use their devices for everything from work to streaming entertainment, sharing their experiences, and connecting with others. If your venue doesn’t have a reliable WiFi system to accommodate those needs, you risk losing out on potential customers.

We understand that every business is different, so we work with each of our partners to create a tailor-made solution that meets their specific needs and budget. Whether you need to upgrade your existing system or install a new one from scratch, we can help to generate a solution. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

Protect Fans in Stadiums Using Innovative IoT Safety Technology

The use of IoT technology in stadiums can play a significant role in promoting fan safety at sporting events and other live performances. By implementing capable IoT technology, stadiums can take considerable steps to improve and promote venue security amidst common concerns.

Using IoT Technology to Diminish Fan Safety Issues in Stadiums & Venues

Live events at stadiums require a great deal of coordination to ensure events proceed without any technical problems and that the safety of spectators is not compromised. Unfortunately, there are several ways that things can go wrong, putting everyone in the stadium at risk.

Game Disruption Due to Fights in the Stands

One of the most common disruptions during sporting events are fights that break out among fans in the stands. While security personnel can do their best to keep an eye on things, it often takes more work to spot a potential fight before it happens. As a result, safety at sporting events has always been a concern for stadium managers.

How IoT Technology Can Protect Against Fights in Stands

IoT solutions like video surveillance and crowd analytics can help stadium personnel identify potential fights before they start. Video surveillance cameras equipped with facial recognition software can identify known troublemakers in a crowd and alert security to their presence.

Crowd analytics can also use data from various sources, including social media, weather reports, and ticket sales, to predict when and where problems are likely to occur. By being proactive and using IoT technology to identify potential threats, stadium personnel can help prevent fights from happening in the first place.

Game Disruption Due to Fans Rushing the Field

Another common disruption during live events is when fans rush to the field or the stage during the event. While this may seem like harmless fun, it can often lead to severe injuries for both fans and players. In some cases, it can even lead to property damage as fans try to tear down equipment in their excitement.

How IoT Technology Can Protect Against Fans Rushing the Field

By installing sensors around the perimeter of the field, court, and stage, stadium personnel can be alerted as soon as someone tries to breach the security barrier. This gives them time to intervene and stop the person before they enter the “safety zone” where the performance or the game occurs. Additionally, by using data from previous games, crowd analytics can predict when and where fans are most likely to try and rush the field so that security can be increased in those areas.

Game Disruption Due to Audience Accidents

Accidents happen. But when they happen at a sporting event or live performance, they can often disrupt the game and cause delays while emergency personnel respond. Safety during events is difficult to manage because of the many people in attendance. In the past, it was up to the surrounding audience to notify security or emergency personnel of an accident. But with IoT technology, that’s all about to change.

How IoT Technology Can Protect Against Audience Accidents

With IoT technology, stadium personnel can quickly identify when someone has fallen and needs assistance. IoT-enabled sensors can be placed throughout stadium concourses and stairwells that detect when someone has fallen down. This information is then relayed to a central command center where emergency personnel can be dispatched immediately. This safety feature helps ensure that accidents are dealt with quickly and frees up security personnel who would otherwise have been called upon to respond.

Game Disruption Due to Weather Emergency Events

Mother Nature doesn’t always cooperate with event planning. Severe weather strikes during a live event can often lead to delays or even cancellations as spectators seek shelter from the storm.

How IoT Technology Can Protect Against Game Disruption to Weather Emergency Events

With IoT technology, stadium personnel now have a way to monitor weather conditions in real-time and take action accordingly. By installing sensors around the stadium that measure wind speed, precipitation levels, and lightning activity, venue staff can get an early warning when severe weather is on its way. This information can then be used to decide whether to delay or cancel the event — decisions that could help keep spectators safe from harm’s way.

Game Disruption Due to Illegal Entrances

A major problem that stadium owners face is illegal entrances. This refers to people who either sneaked into the stadium without paying, bought forged tickets, or purchased tickets but have yet to sit in their assigned seats. Not only does this cause problems for venue security, but it also disrupts the game for paying fans trying to watch from their seats.

How IoT Technology Can Prevent Illegal Entrances to Stadiums

One of the most common stadium safety tips is incorporating IoT technology to track people as they enter the stadium. By installing sensors at all entrances, security personnel can quickly identify anyone who has entered the stadium without a ticket. The facial recognition information can then be used to eject the individual from the premises.

Game Disruption Due to Slow Audience Entry

Another problem that often plagues stadium owners is slow audience entry. This occurs when fans take their time entering the stadium, causing congestion and delays. This can be inconvenient for fans trying to get to their seats in time.

How IoT Technology Can Prevent Slow Audience Entry

IoT can help with this problem by providing real-time data on crowd density. Fans can be processed quickly and efficiently by having multiple electronic check-in points and online verification options. It not only helps to reduce congestion, but it also helps to improve security by allowing stadium personnel to track who is entering the premises. Venue owners can also leverage electronic signage to help first-time attendees find their seats more quickly and efficiently.

Game Disruption Due to Parking Lot Congestion

The parking lot is often one of the most congested areas of a stadium on game day. It can be the primary reason preventing fans from getting to their seats in time. Having all audience vehicles stuck in a car-to-car traffic jam in search of available parking spots can also increase the risk of causing car accidents.

How IoT Technology Can Prevent Game Disruption due to Parking Lot Congestion

IoT technology can alleviate this problem in several ways. By installing automatic license plate scanners at all parking lot entrances and exits, patrons can enter and exit venue lots without stopping to purchase and validate their parking tickets. Online reservation systems can also help fans find and reserve parking spots in advance. This not only helps to reduce congestion, but the feature also helps to improve security by allowing stadium personnel to track who is entering and exiting the premises.

In addition, security cameras can provide real-time data on parking lot conditions. By installing sensors in the parking lot, stadium personnel can quickly identify areas of congestion and direct fans to available parking spots. All these features eliminate vehicles from idling in the parking lot and help minimize the risk of accidents.

Game Disruption Due to Cyber Attacks

With more and more devices connected to the internet, stadiums are increasingly vulnerable to attacks from hackers. These attacks can disable scoreboards, concession stands, and other critical systems, such as WiFi log-in portals, blocked online verification processes, and electronic check-in stations. These attacks prevent an event from beginning on time and put customers’ personal data at risk — the FBI even advised athletes at the 2022 Beijing Olympics to bring a temporary cell phone to avoid cyber attacks including data theft and installation of malware.

How IoT Technology Can Protect Against Cyber Attacks

To avoid this problem, stadium owners can use IoT technology to monitor their systems for signs of intrusion. Having multiple layers of web security protections, such as WPA3 encryption, antivirus programs, firewalls, and a secure two-factor log-in portal to access the stadium’s WiFi system can significantly reduce the risk of a successful cyber attack.

Other Benefits of IoT Technology for Stadiums

In addition to the safety benefits, IoT can bring several other advantages to stadiums. They can help elevate the customer experience by providing interactive experiences, such as digital signage that can guide fans to their seats or offering order-ahead and in-seat concessions ordering.

IoT can also help stadiums save money by reducing energy consumption through smart lighting and temperature control systems. In the long run, these benefits can help stadiums improve their bottom line and become more sustainable businesses. And most of all, it can also help generate extra income and provide data to improve better usage of the venue space.

The Leading IoT Technology Provider to Stadium Events

We understand that the safety of your fans is always a top priority. That’s why we offer a variety of IoT technology solutions specifically designed for stadiums and other large venues. From managed WiFi to self-service kiosks, we have the answers you need to keep your fans safe and informed.

With over 40 years of experience in the hospitality and entertainment businesses, we have the knowledge and expertise to help make your stadium a safe and enjoyable place for everyone. Our team of experts will work with you to assess your specific needs and develop a customized solution that meets your unique requirements. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help make your stadium safety a priority for your fans.

Designing Stadium WiFi to Support Smart Stadium Advancements

Providing WiFi at a sporting event is no longer a luxury; today, smart stadiums are defined by their access to the internet and the unique experiences that connectivity provides to guests. For stadiums to excel with modern consumers, they need to leverage smart WiFi designs, built by professional technicians.

When considering upgrading your stadium WiFi system, it is important to explore not only the technical solutions to providing stronger connectivity to fans, but also how to leverage that connectivity to drive positive experiences and increased revenue.

Why Do Stadiums Need to Prioritize WiFi Design for Responsive WiFi?

Gone are the days where fans go to stadiums just to watch a game — today, fans crave a holistic experience when they pay a premium to watch their team live. Whether in baseball parks, basketball arenas, or football stadiums, fans expect far more than a live sporting event; WiFi is intrinsically linked to these new experiences.

Here are just a few of the advancements stadium fans expect with their ticket — and why responsive WiFi design is essential to each.

Better Organic Advertising Through Fan Social Media Engagement

Social media engagement has risen as an essential way for businesses to gain free, organic marketing. Through strategies such as hashtag campaigns, photo opportunities, and community management, brands can encourage and spur interaction with social media users, leading to higher views on posts and potential conversions into customers.

Encouraging social media engagement is vital for stadiums. With effective marketing, stadiums can leverage QR code implementation, sharing online polls about game events, and even the potential to be featured on a stadium screen to get fans talking online.

Of course, for fans to access social media in stadiums, venues need to ensure access to a responsive, reliable WiFi network. Without thoughtful stadium WiFi design, fans won’t be able to access social media; even with solid in-stadium marketing, fans will grow frustrated at their lack of ability to participate in campaigns. This leads to a decrease in fans participating in organic marketing, which may cost sponsored businesses the potential of new customers. In turn, responsive WiFi needs to be a priority.

Improved Stadium Experience Across Consumer Demographics Using Football Fan Apps

For modern stadiums, fan experiences are intrinsically linked to IoT. Through football stadium fan apps, venues can streamline access to tickets, can help attendees order food, let hardcore fans check scores around the league, and more. Creating an integrated environment within the stadium can allow for a more positive fan experience as well as bolster points of sale throughout the venue, potentially driving greater revenue. These app features provide technological advancements that range from quality-of-life improvements to fundamental changes in how fans view the game — offering impressive utility to casual and die-hard attendees alike.

Again, a stable network connection is essential to accessing these smart stadium capabilities. Skillful stadium WiFi design makes all of these features easily accessible, turning them from superfluous benefits to integral parts of the stadium experience. Plus, as fans turn to social media to showcase their immersive new experiences in real-time, your venue gains even more productive social media engagement.

How to Design WiFi Coverage for Stadiums & Arenas

With so much of the modern stadium experience relying on internet connection, it is clear why skillful WiFi network design is essential to stadiums. Typical mobile carriers are not sufficient enough to handle the data demand of a high-volume event. How, then, can stadiums and arenas design WiFi coverage to extend reliably throughout a stadium?

To ensure effective coverage, venues should consult the experts. Using a team specialized in smart stadium technology, stadiums can leave design to highly-skilled, experienced technicians who know how to circumvent typical pain points. Here are some of the strategies knowledgeable technicians will use when designing stadium WiFi.

Leverage the Appropriate Bandwidth

Bandwidth is key to providing consistent, reliable WiFi access in stadiums and arenas. Referring to the maximum amount of data transmitted over an internet connection in a given amount of time, outdated stadium networks are often overloaded by users due to low bandwidth. Without the bandwidth to support enough users, networks slow down, and occasionally stop working altogether.

A skilled WiFi technician can calculate the exact bandwidth needs of a venue based on venue size and maximum capacity. Needs will vary depending on the scale of your stadium or arena — experts can determine exactly what is necessary and generate a solution customized to your venue’s needs.

Locate Dead Spots Throughout the Venue

WiFi signals rely on transmitting invisible connective waves across space; in turn, they need the space to actually transmit and reach devices. Dead zones, or areas in a venue that a WiFi signal doesn’t reach, occur when that space is obstructed or extended beyond what a signal can handle. These can occur due to obstacles like thick walls, bulky metal furniture, and high distance between WiFi access points.

It can be quite simple to locate WiFi dead zones; what’s harder is fixing them. Whether manually or using software, a WiFi expert can pinpoint where WiFi cuts out and determine how to fix it; potential solutions include moving an obstruction, moving an access point, or installing an additional access point to ensure reliable coverage.

Invest in Proper Network Security Measures

Sometimes, even with appropriate bandwidth and minimized dead spots, networks can experience slowdown. These issues can often be traced back to security breaches. Bad actors know stadiums are ripe locations for public WiFi access — whether for their own personal WiFi use or stealing user data, stadiums need to protect themselves from these users.

There are several techniques stadiums can use to increase network security. Networks can leverage captive portals, landing pages displayed to new users within a network requesting information such as name or ticket number, to keep unwanted users out. Stadiums can also implement content filters, restricting access to websites with questionable security.

Implementing Stadium WiFi Design

Efficient WiFi network design is absolutely essential to modern stadiums. From social media engagement to online concessions, so many of the features fans crave hinge on a strong internet connection within the venue itself.

Looking to optimize the WiFi design in your stadium or arena? We are a leading provider of smart stadium solutions. Our team has handled some of the largest football stadiums in the country — experienced at bringing thorough WiFi design to venues of all shapes and sizes, from installation to management. Contact us today and learn how we can help innovate your stadium.

The stadium experience is changing, and so are fan expectations. In a study from Oracle, fans consistently ranked technology as a key subject of importance across major sports — ranking higher than both entertainment & traditional amenities. Today, offering exciting technological advancements to visitors is essential for stadiums to remain competitive & relevant.

IoT is an essential tool in upgrading the technology of your stadium. Discover what exactly falls under the term IoT, what type of IoT technology can be used in stadiums, and 5 essential applications to satisfy and impress fans.

What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the massive, interconnected network of physical devices loaded with sensors, software, and any other technology leveraged to exchange information over the internet.

Obviously, this definition is expansive, encompassing a wide variety of devices and technology. IoT may include routers, modems, cellphones, and even smart homes & cars — all of this technology falls under the diverse umbrella of IoT.

What Types of IoT Technology Can Be Used in Sports Stadiums?

Considering the term’s broad definition, the types of IoT technology that can be used in stadiums is also incredibly expansive. Potential examples include:

• High Bandwidth WiFi Routers to support various stadium network capabilities.
• Mobile Check-In Devices for online, connected guest ticketing.
• Smartphones Connected to Stadium Apps for diverse fan experiences.
• Smart Sensors to streamline overall stadium management and energy consumption.

Because IoT devices can be so diverse and versatile, use of IoT technology in stadiums matters less about what technology is used and more about how that technology is used.

5 Essential IoT Applications for Smart Stadiums

Leveraging intuitive IoT technology into your stadium design can increase ROI, supercharge fan engagement, and increase your property’s bottom line. To turn your venue into a smart stadium, effective, smart applications of IoT devices are essential.

Here are 5 essential ways to leverage IoT technology in your stadium, alongside the technology necessary to implement them.

Increasing Fan Social Media Engagement

Social media engagement serves as a key way to invest fans in the stadium experience, leading to greater fan satisfaction and organic, word-of-mouth marketing. To allow seamless, intuitive access to social media, however, stadiums need to leverage IoT technology.

Fans should be able to access social media from their devices from anywhere in your stadium — from their seats to souvenir shops. In turn, stadiums need to skillfully leverage WiFi router & access point placement to keep fans connected.

Stadiums should also encourage fans to take out mobile devices, both during games and through calls-to-action placed throughout a venue. By consistently reminding fans when & where to post, or even driving them to the social platform directly via QR codes, stadiums ensure a high conversion rate on social media engagement. Check out our blog for further strategies for increasing social media engagement with sports fans in stadiums.

Adaptive, Responsive Stadium Wayfinding

Above everything else, fans come to stadiums to experience an event. From high-octane sports matches to heart-pounding concerts, attendees don’t want to miss a minute of the action. As stadiums grow in complexity and scope, however, fans are at an increasing risk of getting lost within stadiums — leading to potential frustration towards missed moments.

Responsive stadium wayfinding allows fans to navigate your venue stress-free. Stadium wayfinding comes in two distinct forms: mobile wayfinding and digital signage. Whatever the means, intuitive wayfinding can help exceed guest expectations for your events.

Mobile wayfinding uses real-time location tracking via guest devices to help them navigate stadiums. Access to mobile wayfinding requires a guest smart device (smartphones, smartwatches, etc.) & responsive, accurate WiFi access (routers, additional access points).

Digital signage, meanwhile, allows guests to explore stadiums via directions placed in specific touchpoints. Signage can be both interactive — allowing for touch screen navigation of virtual maps — and updated in real-time — showing updates to game scores and current wait-times at stadium concessions. Oftentimes, digital signage displays are in and of themselves IoT devices.

Improving Overall Fan Experience

IoT technology streamlines & optimizes the entirety of the stadium fan experience. Using stadiums fan apps, attendees can control diverse aspects of their visit to a stadium. Smartphones provide access to stadium concessions, digitized tickets, and even more stadium services — acting as a centralized fan experience hub.

While smart devices serve as a hub for fans, stadiums need to install additional IoT devices to allow staff to meet fan needs. Concession stands need internet-enabled PoS software and infrastructure to receive and communicate online orders. Ticketing services also need responsive connections to steadily scan and admit attendees with online tickets.

Smarter, Efficient Facilities Management

With millions of fans and dozens of yearly events, stadiums generate massive amounts of waste and consume high volumes of energy. Waste Management (WM) estimates that the four major American professional sports leagues (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL) generate approximately 35,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually — from fans’ waste activities alone. Not only does this waste hurt the environment, but overzealous energy consumption also hurts a stadium’s bottom line.

IoT-enabled facilities management can help stadiums combat wasteful practices. Online inventory management software can connect to concession stands & souvenir shops to ensure efficient utilization of supplies. Additionally, sensor-activated restrooms can turn off lights and track water use to minimize consumption.

Implementing Reliable, Expansive Stadium WiFi

Ultimately, all IoT solutions tie back to one central need — responsive, reliable stadium WiFi. Without consistent internet access, IoT devices are virtually useless; leveraging an experienced team to install a high-bandwidth WiFi network in your stadium is key to leveraging all IoT devices and capabilities.

Support Smart Stadium IoT with Internet Connectivity From Hospitality Network

We are a leading provider of stadium internet solutions across the country. Our smart stadium solutions support the cutting-edge of new stadium design — including for diverse applications of IoT devices.

Looking to jumpstart IoT connectivity in your stadium? Request a free consultation with our team and begin your smart stadium evolution today.

Mobile tickets are rapidly becoming the future of stadium ticketing. Research by the Market Research Future (MRFR) predicts that mobile ticketing will increase to a market of 7.2 billion USD by 2030, a 17.7% compound annual growth rate from 2020-2030. As the market continues to grow, stadium-owners must ask themselves — are mobile tickets worth the transition?

The answer is a resounding yes, and we’re here to help. Learn about what mobile tickets are, the numerous benefits of the technology, and how to implement mobile ticketing in your stadium.

What are Mobile Tickets? The Rise of Mobile Ticket Apps

Mobile tickets refer to virtual tickets — ordered, paid for, distributed, and validated for stadium attendees via online or mobile devices. To handle these ticket services, attendees typically download mobile ticketing apps, specifically designed to handle all mobile ticketing services. From there, guests can present tickets to scan directly through the app or by downloading tickets to a mobile wallet.

Mobile-ticketing apps for stadium attendees are often directly tied to the platform they used to purchase their tickets in the first place. For stadium attendees, these may include Ticketmaster, SeatGeek, or StubHub. From these apps, fans can log-in to their accounts, access tickets, and present them as they choose.

Mobile ticketing is rapidly dominating the stadium industry; in 2021, the NFL mandated digital only tickets in all of their stadiums. As industry-leaders continue to champion the technology, the need to implement for all stadiums will continue to grow.

Benefits of Mobile Ticketing Technology

Mobile ticketing technology offers immense benefits for all parties involved at stadiums — including employees, owners, and attendees alike. Here are just a few of the diverse benefits of mobile ticketing technology for stadiums.

Greater Convenience for Attendees

Physical tickets add several layers of obstruction to stadium entry. Attendees need to print their tickets at home, or alternatively stop & wait at will-call before they enter your venue. Additionally, attendees need to keep tickets on their person until they reach their seats, navigating through busy stadiums without losing a rather flimsy means of entry.

Mobile tickets consolidate this process, entirely streamlining ticket processes for guests. Gaining access to tickets is as simple as downloading an app, with the potential added step of downloading the ticket natively. Meanwhile, attendees will be able to present their ticket wherever necessary throughout the stadium, as long as they have their phone.

Faster Stadium Entry

Thanks to a more consolidated process, mobile tickets also allow for easier stadium entry. Equipping staff with scanners, entrance for each attendees takes a matter of seconds; simply scan, register, and move on. Mobile ticketing technology cuts down on lines and allows fans to get to their seats as soon as possible.

Fewer Necessary Staff

Because they allow for streamlined stadium entry & a minimized need for in-person ticket booths, mobile tickets also lead to fewer staff members necessary for stadiums. Reducing staff can save stadium-owners money that they can then contribute to other smart stadium IoT solutions — further increasing automation and improving the stadium experience for fans.

Automated Sales Tracking & Analytics

Mobile ticket readers are inherently connected to the internet — meaning stadiums can update information about ticket sales and venue attendance in real-time. If a fan buys an online ticket right outside of the stadium, they will immediately be able to enter without obstruction. Stadiums can also plan to start events when attendance hits a certain threshold.

With integrated data, stadiums can also better analyze patterns within attendance. Comparing when fans arrive for different types of events, stadiums can better prepare their staff for various rushes and understand when to market what services within a stadium.

Higher Sustainability

Whether printed at home or given out in-stadium, physical tickets create an immense amount of waste; for the most part, attendees will also throw out their tickets in your stadium, contributing to extra clean-up and garbage bags.

Digital tickets alleviate this waste and increase sustainability within your stadium. While the overall impact of physical tickets may seem minimal, saving hundreds of pieces of waste at every event over the course of a year can have an incredibly high impact. Stadiums can also feature this increased sustainability in marketing, leading to positive press.

How Can Stadiums Implement Mobile Ticketing Technology?

With such immense benefits, stadiums have no reason not to implement mobile ticketing technology. How, then, can stadiums implement the technology? Thankfully, mobile ticketing technology is relatively simple to implement, requiring two pieces of infrastructure — mobile ticket readers and internet connectivity.

Mobile Ticket Readers

Mobile ticket readers refer to the actual, physical devices used to scan and register mobile tickets. Stadiums need to have an appropriate number of mobile ticket readers for the size of their stadium to ensure smooth flow of traffic at entrances.

Stadium staff can read mobile tickets via dedicated mobile ticketing devices, or even through devices such as tablets or smartphones. Whatever the method, mobile ticket readers should swiftly, efficiently check attendees into events.

Reliable Internet for Guests & Employees

From ticket scanning and online ticket sales to accessing tickets via mobile devices, virtually every aspect of mobile ticketing technology requires a stable internet connection.

Although mobile ticketing is supposed to streamline fan experiences, inconsistent internet can make accessing mobile tickets a hassle. Fans may grow frustrated as they struggle to download tickets once they reach stadium gates, missing essential moments of their stadium experience due to frenzied network refreshes. In turn, attendees may leave a negative review for your stadium, and potentially choose not to attend again in the future.

A lack of reliable internet access can also turn employees into a target of frustration for attendees, increasing stress on the job. Fans may turn their ire with struggles to access tickets onto ticket readers; meanwhile, if a mobile ticket reader itself struggles to connect, entire lines in stadiums may get delayed and back up entrance.

Support Mobile Ticketing With Internet Network Design

With sizable benefits and low-effort implementation, mobile ticketing is an essential way for stadiums to optimize their operations. To jumpstart the process, stadiums need to ensure their internet can handle the needs of mobile ticketing technology.

We install powerful WiFi networks in stadiums — capable of supporting IoT technology including mobile ticketing. Request a consultation and start transitioning your venue into a smart stadium today

Through both the rise of technology and the necessity of the pandemic, online food delivery has become an incredibly potent industry. Statista reports the revenue of the online food delivery market is 218 billion USD in the United States alone — and that’s while only making up 31% of global online food delivery funding deals.

In turn, online food delivery is increasingly becoming the norm across hospitality industries, including in stadiums. According to Oracle, 85% of US stadium attendees would be willing to try new technology if it meant food delivery to their seat. What, then, can stadiums do with online food delivery options? What specific benefits does this technology offer to fans and staff alike?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down how modern applications optimize food delivery in stadiums, alongside specific benefits for both attendees and employees, as follows:

How Modern Applications Streamline Stadium Food Delivery

Traditional stadium concessions have somewhat of a bad reputation; long lines leading to mediocre food and high prices. Combined with an increase in food quality, modern stadium food delivery applications circumvent these stereotypes. In turn, streamlined stadium food delivery offers substantial benefits to both fans and staff.

Benefits of Concession Stand Apps for Fans

Stadium food delivery holistically changes how fans access concessions in stadiums. While traditional concessions may detract from stadium experiences, online food orders only serve to improve events for attendees — serving as a massive boon to the stadium fan experience.

Faster Food Delivery in Stadium Seats

Arguably the technology’s most obvious benefit, stadium delivery applications expedite the process of getting food to fans in their seats, without forcing them to miss any of the action during their event. Using apps, fans can purchase any number of concessions directly from their seats — from bottles of water to full meals.

Essentially, fans can access whatever concessions they want while avoiding long-lines and interruptions to their stadium experience. In turn, fans may feel more comfortable ordering large meals and continued concessions, knowing that doing so won’t interrupt the stadium experience they came for.

Easier Access to Menus, Orders, & More

Beyond faster delivery, online concession apps give fans greater connectivity across the concessions experience, from ordering through delivery.

Many modern stadiums have diverse food selections, encompassing different cultural perspectives and accommodating wide dietary needs. While having more options is better for guests, it can make it harder for fans to find exactly what they’re looking for within a stadium. Concession apps consolidate menus into one platform — giving fans the full scope of food selections, all deliverable right to their seat.

Apps can also give fans a more accurate description of when their food will arrive. Dynamic ETAs ensure attendees always know that their food is on the way, minimizing frustration and uncertainty with the efficiency of concession services.

Benefits of Concession Stand Apps for Employees

Alongside immense benefits for fans, stadium food delivery apps also make life easier for stadium employees — alleviating several pitfalls of traditional concession workers.

Improve Vendor-Fan Communication

Long lines at stadium concessions doesn’t just cause tribulation for fans; unhappy and impatient customers put undue pressure on stadium employees, increasing stress and lowering the quality of stadium service. A variety of factors can cause long lines, including fans unsure about orders, failed payment methods, and miscommunication due to loud stadium environments.

Stadium food delivery apps mitigate all of these issues, minimizing the risk of long lines. Online orders ensure fans get ample time to look at menus, verify payment methods before orders get to staff, and ensure seamless communication of orders without opportunity for human error. Plus, more fans ordering online greatly reduces stadium lines for guests that choose to still use in-person concessions.

Streamline Stocking With Concession Stand Inventory Apps

By integrating within inventory systems, concession stand apps can also streamline stocking processes. Online orders can connect directly to inventory systems, keeping a real-time record of how much of each item is ordered.

Combined with connected concession stand cash register apps, stadium delivery apps can support online inventory tracking using one holistic concession stand inventory app. In turn, systems can send automated alerts for when items need to be restocked — maintaining inventory levels before they reach low volume.

Support Stadium Food Delivery Apps With Powerful Stadium Internet

Stadium food delivery apps offer immense value to all sides of the stadium experience. Whether letting fans stay engaged with the game or providing an easier time for stadium staff, concession stand apps can majorly improve operations in your venue.

Just as important as finding the best app for concession stands, however, is selecting a reliable stadium WiFi provider to keep apps operating at full connectivity. Without a powerful internet connection, all of the benefits of online stadium food delivery can rapidly turn into negatives.

Hospitality Network powers stadiums across the country with high-density stadium WiFi solutions. Our services allow for the implementation of a wide array of stadium IoT solutions — including stadium food delivery services. Begin the process of IoT integration within your stadium and request a consultation.