Extreme to drive engaging fan experiences at MLB All-Star Game events
Wes Durow of Extreme Networks
Extreme Networks, Inc., a provider of cloud networking, has announced that it is an official partner of Major League Baseball All-Star Week happening July 7-11 in Seattle, Washington. Extreme Wi-Fi 6 solutions will enhance in-stadium fan experiences at both Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park.
ExtremeAnalytics will enable league officials to gather and leverage real-time network insights to drive better decisions around venue operations, such as redirecting the flow of foot traffic based on device density or repositioning staff based on current demands.
MLB will rely on a combined total of 2,201 Wi-Fi 6 access points across Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park to deliver an experience for everyone attending All-Star Week. The network will support:
- Thousands of fan devices.
- IoT devices like IPTVs (internet protocol television) and a new 10,000 square ft. LED (light-emitting diode) system which enables real-time updates to digital signage and digital menus.
- Cashless transactions on over 1,200 POS (point of sale) machines.
- The MLB All-Star Experience Pass App at Capital One PLAY BALL PARK.
- Connectivity for fans across the Lumen Field Event Centre, which includes WAMU Theater as well as several restaurants and retail spaces.
Specifically for All-Star Week, Extreme and MLB worked together to add Wi-Fi coverage managed through ExtremeCloud IQ at the entrances to PLAY BALL PARK at Lumen Field, enabling better connectivity in the fan festival and expanding bandwidth for fans who need to download the Experience Pass app or mobile tickets.
In addition to powering the event network, Extreme will host and sponsor several activities as a part of All-Star Week, including a free Legends for Youth softball and baseball clinic at Mount Rainier High School, the MLB Arcade powered by Extreme Networks within PLAY BALL PARK, and a CIO Technology Summit. For fans that want more information about connecting to the Wi-Fi, Extreme Wi-Fi Coaches will be onsite during the All-Star Game presented by Mastercard, the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game, the Celebrity Softball Game presented by Corona and the T-Mobile Home Run Derby.
Kari Escobedo, SVP information technology, Seattle Mariners, says “MLB has been at the forefront of using technology to improve the game and the way fans experience the game and the ballpark. We just completed a significant upgrade with Extreme in half the time it would take with traditional vendors. This has enabled us to roll out new guest features like digital signage for easier park navigation and mobile concessions ordering. And now that we’re beginning to use analytics, we can get smarter about the ways we plan future upgrades and partnerships so we can continue providing better experiences every time fans return to see their favorite teams play in Seattle.”
Wes Durow, chief marketing officer, Extreme Networks, says “The network is the connective tissue supporting nearly every digital experience across MLB All-Star Week. High-performance, customer-facing connectivity has become table stakes in every industry, but with powerful analytics that enable organisations to make data-driven decisions based on user preferences, we can take it a step further to continuously improve services, from the ballpark applications fans rely on to navigate the stadium to online testing in school districts or virtual family visits for patients in hospitals. By enabling our customers to find new ways to apply our solutions to their organisation’s goals, we can help them drive better outcomes for their end users, including MLB fans.”
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