Cisco will implement sophisticated Wi-Fi technology at SoFi Stadum and the surrounding Hollywood Park development, set to open in 2020 as the new Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers home.
On Thursday, it was announced that Cisco and Hollywood Park have struck a partnership that makes Cisco the official IT network services partner of SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park. At the center of this partnership is the stadium’s Wi-Fi network, which is being touted as a technology that will advance the standards for connectivity at sports facilities.
Under the current plans, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park will utilize Wi-Fi 6. It is expected to be the largest deployment of the technology to date in a sports facility, as more than 2,500 Wi-Fi 6 access points in SoFi Stadium will be installed with the intention of delivering faster speeds for immersive-experience applications, and more bandwidth (four times greater capacity than the previous Wi-Fi standard, according to Cisco).
That technology will be crucial given the scope of the project, which is led by Rams Owner/Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke. SoFi Stadium will anchor the larger Hollywood Park development, a sprawling 298-acre sports and entertainment destination that is expected to draw crowds on a year-round basis.
“What Stan Kroenke is building at SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park will undoubtedly serve as a crown jewel in a city known for creativity, risk-taking and bold statements,” Ken Martin, General Manager of Sports & Entertainment, Cisco said in a press statement. “By partnering with Cisco, Hollywood Park is making a clear commitment to providing its guests with an unparalleled and seamless experience across the entire footprint of the property, all built on a technological foundation that allows us to be limited only by our collective imagination.”
In addition to SoFi Stadium, Hollywood Park will feature the 2.5-acre American Airlines Plaza—which is intended to be a year-round gathering place—and a 6,000-seat performance venue, with all three facilities located under the same roof canopy. The performance venue is designed to draw events throughout the year, including gatherings such as esports, award shows, concerts, and more. On top of that, the mixed-use Hollywood Park will be built out to include amenities such as residential units, retail, and commercial spaces, and over 20 acres of parkland for community use.
The scope of the project requires elaborate technology measures, especially since SoFi Stadium is already lined up to host several major events—including Super Bowl LVI in 2022 and portions of the 2028 Summer Olympics. With the partnership with Cisco in place, venue officials feel that they have found a solution to ensuring that SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park are adequately covered from a connectivity perspective.
“SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park are the future of live sports and entertainment,” Jason Gannon, managing director, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park said in a press statement. “We envision SoFi Stadium not just hosting world-class events like the Super Bowl and the Olympics, but also serving as a dynamic media platform. Our partnership with Cisco will set a new standard for the fan experience through cutting-edge technology that will enhance the way guests interact with live events, not only at SoFi Stadium but across all of Hollywood Park.”
The Rams and Chargers are currently playing at their respective temporary homes, United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Dignity Health Sports Park in suburban Carson.
Rendering courtesy Los Angeles Stadium and Entertainment District at Hollywood Park.
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