As the NFL football season gets into full swing, Levi’s Stadium’s is being unveiled to entertain crowds of around 70,000. The new $1.2 billion home of the San Francisco 49ers is quite the technological marvel. Considered by some to be “the most high-tech stadium anywhere in the world,” this modern structure is located right in the center of Silicon Valley, in Santa Clara, California. With the innovative, high-tech culture of its neighbors, there’s no wonder this venue had grand plans with technology at the forefront.
Levi’s Stadium is equipped with the most advanced WiFi capability of any professional venue thanks to Comcast Business Ethernet, the official Internet partner of the San Francisco 49ers. The construction included 400 miles of cable and 1200 distributed antenna systems. That means WiFi routers can be placed every 100 seats to ensure constant connectivity with minimal disruptions for fans. This network was put to the test by Paul Kapustka of Mobile Sports Report during the August 17th preseason home opener and received very favorable reviews.
The WiFi network at Levi’s Stadium will be a great convenience to the fans looking for a fulfilling experience, while also being able to watch their favorite team live. This has been a major concern of the modern day sports fan who craves to be caught up to the second with many games going on simultaneously on Sunday afternoons. With the advanced wireless network at Levi’s Stadium, they can now have the best of both worlds.
Another great feature are the 1700 beacons equipped throughout the venue, which use Bluetooth technology to provide locations and services with pinpoint accuracy. These beacons pair with the stadium’s mobile app to provide extra conveniences. The app will help locate the closest parking lot exit, find your seat for you, or even locate your friend for that matter. You can find specific concessions or get food delivered right to your seat with online ordering. This app can find and direct you to the closest bathroom and the shortest beer lines. Gone are the days of wandering around the stadium for extended periods of time trying to find that certain craft beer, all the while missing live game action.
The mobile app also provides in game replays that can show up to four views at once, bringing part of the home viewing experience directly to your seat in the stadium, once again covering a main issue for fans seeking the ultimate NFL experience.
Levi’s Stadium is also constructed with environmental concerns in mind, reflecting on the culture of its Silicon Valley setting. It is LEED Gold certified, achieving 44 of the required 39 points for certification, the first of its kind in the United States. Located near public transportation and bike paths, the location hopes to minimize pollution caused by large amounts of vehicle traffic. Reclaimed water is used for field irrigation, and reclaimed wood from an old airplane hangar was used in construction. The 27,000 foot “Green Roof” helps generate photovoltaic energy to fuel the fan experience. Even the vendors are ecofriendly, working to provide the farm to table experience whenever possible, also reducing waste by recycling and composting.
Bay Area residents are constantly immersed in technology and innovation with the roots of Silicon Valley being the main evidence. Fans are expected to embrace the Levi’s Stadium experience as shown by the stadium’s smart device friendliness and digital screens monitoring utility usage and consumption. As an integral part of the experience, tech savvy fans are likely to contribute to new innovations with Levi’s Stadium’s future in mind. This symbiotic relationship between fan and stadium is well on its way to becoming the first smart stadium ever.
Like so many of its Silicon Valley neighbors, Levi’s Stadium just set the pace for an industry with innovation through technology. This could mark the beginning of a massive movement towards technology-infused entertainment venues in our country. The ultimate goal should be to create the ultimate spectator experience, and in our modern world, technology goes a long way in achieving that goal.