07 March 2022

Extreme Networks has agreed a multi-year partnership with Manchester United that will see the tech firm networking services and analytics to the Premier League giants.
In its capacity as the club’s official Wi-Fi network solutions and official Wi-Fi analytics provider, Extreme will install a Wi-Fi 6 network at Old Trafford stadium, supporting the club’s operations and providing fans with access to reliable connectivity.

Sporting arenas are technically challenging sites for mobile and wireless networks because of the bowl-like environment, the presence of tens of thousands of spectators and the fact that so many are uploading media rich content to social networks.

Wi-Fi 6, in conjunction with 5G, will help address some of these shortcomings by offering huge advances in speed and capacity. This enhanced reliability will allow United to rollout new services, such as mobile ticketing and digital signage. The move is part of the club’s strategy to modernise Old Trafford following complaints of underinvestment in recent years.

Aside from the fan-facing applications, the club will also benefit from cloud-based real-time analytics that provide insights into what fans are doing in the stadium and identify potential issues such as bottlenecks or lengthy queues.

“Our collaboration with Extreme Networks is an important step in our drive to enhance and modernise the in-stadium fan experience at Old Trafford, opening up exciting opportunities for the club to deliver next-generation digital services to fans on matchdays and to visitors throughout the year,” said Collette Roche, Manchester United chief operating officer. “With experience working with other iconic venues around the world, Extreme will help us keep our stadium up to date while preserving the character that makes it unique. Providing fast, reliable Wi-Fi to fans, underpinned by cutting-edge analytics to optimise performance, is a crucial part of that process.”

United’s IT department will also gain access to powerful monitoring tools that allow them to optimise the wireless network environments and identify any potential issues.