Extreme Networks unveils stadium wireless for big venues

Extreme Networks has added Extreme Multi-Beam Wireless to its wireless portfolio, targeting connectivity in large venues such as stadiums and arenas.

The new offering stems from a partnership with MatSing and is positioned as a way to serve dense crowds with fewer infrastructure demands. Its overhead design is intended to extend coverage into areas that can be difficult to reach with conventional deployments.

Stadium operators face growing pressure on wireless networks as spectators rely more heavily on mobile ticketing, in-seat services, video streaming and team apps during events. That has increased demand for systems that can manage large numbers of simultaneous connections across seating bowls, concourses and other crowded parts of venues.

The product combines MatSing lens antenna technology with 16 AP5022FX Wi-Fi 7 access points in what Extreme described as a one-to-one access point-to-sector architecture. Rather than treating the stadium bowl as a single coverage area, the system divides it into 16 separate radio-frequency sectors that can be served independently.

Venue operators can install multiple systems above a stadium bowl to expand coverage across large seating areas from a centralised deployment point. The arrangement is intended to reduce cabling, simplify installation and lower ongoing operational demands compared with more distributed layouts.

Venue focus

The launch adds another option to Extreme's venue networking range, which already includes under-seat and directional wireless designs. It targets a part of the market where coverage can be uneven and where adding users often requires more complex physical buildouts.

Large sports venues have become an important proving ground for wireless suppliers because fan expectations now extend beyond basic internet access. Clubs and venue owners increasingly use mobile networks to support ticket scanning, concessions, loyalty programmes, cashless payments and live content delivered to handsets during matches and concerts.

David Coleman, Director of Wireless in the Office of the CTO at Extreme Networks, outlined the company's rationale for the product in a statement accompanying the launch.

"Every stadium and arena presents unique wireless challenges, so venue operators need more than a one-size-fits-all Wi-Fi design," Coleman said.

He added: "Extreme has a long history of delivering high-density connectivity through purpose-built under-seat and directional wireless solutions. With Extreme Multi-Beam Wireless, we're expanding that portfolio with targeted coverage for challenging environments. Alongside our omni-directional, directional and under-seat access points, the solution gives venues the flexibility to optimise coverage, maximise capacity and deliver exceptional fan experiences."

First deployment

The Tennessee Titans will be the first venue customer for the new system at Nissan Stadium. The club said it sees the installation as a sign of how large venues may approach wireless design in future.

"As the first venue to deploy Extreme Multi-Beam Wireless, we're defining the future of stadium connectivity," said Russ Hudson, VP of Information Technology at the Tennessee Titans.

Hudson added: "The integration of MatSing's innovative lens antenna technology into Extreme's wireless platform changes what's possible inside a stadium and, more importantly, gives our fans the best experience."

MatSing, whose antenna technology is central to the system, also framed the partnership as a differentiated approach in the venue market. The relationship gives Extreme access to a design not offered by other networking providers, according to the companies.

"Extreme is one of the most trusted names in high-density Wi-Fi, powering connectivity in many of the world's most demanding sports and entertainment venues," said Bo Larsson, CEO of MatSing.

Larsson added: "By combining Extreme's leadership in large-scale wireless networking with MatSing's breakthrough multi-beam lens antenna technology, we've created a first-of-its-kind solution that fundamentally changes how stadiums deliver connectivity. Together, we're enabling venues to support more fans, more devices and more data than ever before, while delivering greater efficiency, reliability and performance for the ultimate fan experience."

The product is expected to be available in the fourth quarter of calendar 2026.