In the Heart of the Action: A Deep Dive into Fan Engagement During NFL Games
Published: January 9, 2024
For eleven seasons, Extreme Networks has proudly served as the Official Wi-Fi Solutions Provider and Wi-Fi Analytics Provider of the NFL, a partnership rooted in delivering an unparalleled gameday experience. Behind the scenes, stadium IT teams rely on Wi-Fi solutions and analytics to ensure seamless connectivity and uncover valuable insights into fan behavior and preferences.
A strong wireless network empowers fans to engage with social media and other mobile experiences seamlessly, enabling them to share unforgettable moments, access real-time game data, and enjoy expanded coverage throughout the stadium. Wi-Fi analytics provide insights to stadium staff that serve as the foundation for enhancing and personalizing the fan experience and optimizing venue operations, resulting in exceptional stadium visits.
Extreme's Wi-Fi has been a game-changer for teams across the league like Gillette Stadium in creating a digital fan experience. What started as a small deployment for just their club members in 2012 has expanded throughout the stadium and even into parking lots to ensure that fans are engaged from the moment their gameday experience begins. Today, fans at Gillette Stadium are able to connect when they arrive to ensure seamless mobile ticket entry, mobile payment and concession ordering, and even automated beer pouring!
Top Fan Engagement Moment of Week 1
On September 10, Tom Brady, the GOAT, made his highly anticipated return to Gillette Stadium, the field he called home for twenty years. Donning a Patriots jersey as he came onto the field, Brady, a 7x Super Bowl champion, was met with thunderous cheers. During his halftime speech, Gillette Stadium experienced its largest bandwidth spike (17.1 Gbps) since raising the 2018 Super Bowl banner.
Top Fan Engagement Moment of Week 2
On September 17, country music icon Kenny Chesney attended the Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots match-up as the Patriots ‘Keeper of the Light.’ Minutes before the game, Kenny got things started by ringing the bell atop the new 22-story in-stadium lighthouse (the tallest lighthouse in America) at Gillette Stadium, a moment which saw the stadium’s largest bandwidth spike of the night (14 Gbps) with 18,463 peak devices connecting to the network.
Top Fan Engagement Moment of Week 3
Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson and Boomer Esiason were Bengals' Ring of Honor inductees during Monday night’s game at Paycor Stadium. Johnson, known for his electric speed and exuberant celebrations, was a six-time Pro Bowler and the franchise's all-time leader in receiving yards and receptions. He brought an infectious energy to every game and remains a beloved figure among Bengals fans. Boomer Esiason was the quarterback maestro who guided the Bengals to Super Bowl XXIII. He was named NFL MVP in 1988 and left a memorable mark on the franchise as one of its greatest signal-callers. Prior to kickoff, both were named the ’Ruler of the Jungle’ and started the Bengals famous “Who Dey” chant, leading to a season high bandwidth spike of 18.3 Gbps.
Top Fan Engagement Moment of Week 4
On Thursday night, before another historic chapter in the Packers vs. Lions rivalry, the Packers teamed up with Bellin Health and the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation for the seventh annual Packers vs. Cancer game. Cancer survivors and their loved ones were commemorated as the players were announced running onto the field. This ceremony paired with the anticipation before a primetime rivalry game led to an 18.1 Gbps, the largest of Week 4.
Top Fan Engagement Moment of Week 5
The halftime show, featuring Bay Area rapper Too Short and California rap legends Warren G and DJ Quik, added an exciting twist to the Packers vs. Raiders Monday Night Football showdown. It was a performance that bridged the gap between the two iconic NFL franchises, highlighting the rich football history and the vibrant music scene of both Green Bay and Las Vegas. In this thrilling halftime celebration, the unity of the NFL community and the shared love for the game were on full display, making it a memorable moment for football fans everywhere and sparking the biggest bandwidth spike of the week (11.5 Gbps).
Top Engagement Moment of Week 6
Before the Patriots vs Raiders game, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada lit the Al Davis Memorial Torch. The crowd cheered in response, appreciating the simple yet poignant gesture honoring the Raiders’ legacy and sharing a moment of unity. The roar of the crowd at Allegiant Stadium just moments before the highly anticipated game led to the top Wi-Fi engagement moment for Week 6 of the NFL season with a 9.9 Gbps bandwidth spike. A total of 32,453 clients connected to the stadium network throughout the game.
Top Fan Engagement Moment of Week 7
During halftime at the Steelers vs. Rams game at SoFi Stadium, the crowd was treated to a high-energy performance by the iconic rapper Ice Cube. The legendary rapper and entertainer took the stage and instantly transformed the atmosphere. The stadium buzzed with unity and enthusiasm, as Ice Cube's performance turned the halftime break into a memorable, high-energy celebration enjoyed by all in attendance. This moment also resulted in the highest Wi-Fi network bandwidth spike of the week (12.5 Gbps). A total of 27,737 clients connected to the stadium network throughout the game.
Top Fan Engagement Moment of Week 8
The excitement before the Packers vs. Vikings game at Lambeau Field reached new heights as the crowd was treated to a flyover by the elite U.S. Air Force pilots from the 62nd Fighter Squadron out of Arizona. The roar of their fighter jets created a thunderous spectacle that left fans in awe and led to the highest bandwidth spike of the week at 16.4 Gbps. The flyover not only celebrated the impending competition but also paid homage to Kenny Metoxen, a 20-year veteran who was brought on the field with his family prior to the game, and all the men and women who serve in our armed forces. It was a fitting prelude to a game that would be remembered for its intensity and the unwavering support of the fans. A total of 44,950 devices connected to the Wi-Fi network during the game.
Top Fan Engagement Moment of Week 9
In the electrifying atmosphere of Paycor Stadium before the Sunday Night Football showdown between the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills, two 14-year Bengals, Kevin Huber and Clark Harris, took center stage to lead the ‘Ruler of the Jungle’ pre-game celebration. The stadium erupted in unison during the celebration, chanting the iconic "Who Dey" chant and sparking the greatest Wi-Fi engagement moment of week 9 with a bandwidth spike of 21.0 Gbps.
Top Fan Engagement Moment of Week 10
In his highly anticipated return from injury, the name Kyler Murray echoed throughout State Farm Stadium on Sunday. After 335 days, the former #1 overall pick made his long-awaited return. His return to the field during warmups resulted in the highest Wi-Fi engagement moment of week 10 with a bandwidth spike of 12.4 Gbps.
Top Fan Engagement Moment of Week 11
The fans at Empower Field at Mile High for Sunday Night Football buzzed with excitement as the Thunderstorm Skydiving Team descended onto the field during the pre-game light show. Cheers erupted as the skydivers parachuted down in preparation for the Vikings vs Broncos showdown, resulting in the biggest bandwidth spike of the week at 13.5 Gbps.
Top Fan Engagement Moment of Week 12
Seattle-native and two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell proudly raised the 12s flag before the Thanksgiving Day game between the 49ers and Seahawks at Lumen Field. The left-handed MLB pitching sensation's presence added an extra layer of excitement in anticipation for the big game and resulted in the biggest bandwidth spike of the week at 12.5 Gbps.
Top Fan Engagement Moment of Week 13
In anticipation of a Sunday Night Football game with massive playoff implications, Lambeau Field came alive with a captivating pregame light show as the Packers ran out onto the field. The crowd, already hyped from the momentum of a two-game winning streak, roared with intensified enthusiasm as the lights danced across the stadium sparking the highest spike of the week of 16.8 Gpbs.
Top Fan Engagement Moment of Week 14
The Cleveland Browns crowd buzzed with enthusiasm prior to kick off as WWE star Johnny Gargano, the game’s Dawg Pound Captain, smashed a Jaguars guitar during the pre-game festivities. The Cleveland-native set the stage for a memorable game day and caused the largest bandwidth spike of the week at 8.9 Gbps.
Top Fan Engagement Moment of Week 15
In a tense Monday Night Football showdown, Julian Love of the Seattle Seahawks made a game-changing interception in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles. The crowd erupted in cheers as Love's timely play shifted the momentum, leading to a comeback victory and keeping the Seahawks playoff hopes alive. At the same time, Wi-Fi network bandwidth spiked (10.2 Gbps), resulting in the top Wi-Fi engagement moment of Week 15.
Top Fan Engagement Moment of Week 16
The fans at Empower Field at Mile High for Sunday Night Football roared with excitement as the Thunderstorm Skydiving Team descended onto the field during the pre-game light show. Cheers erupted as the skydivers parachuted down in preparation for the must-win showdown between the Broncos and Patriots, resulting in the biggest bandwidth spike of the week at 9.7 Gbps.
Top Fan Engagement Moment of Week 17
Fans of the Cleveland Browns let their injured star running back, Nick Chubb, know how excited they were to see him when he made his return to the stadium as the Dawg Pound Captain in Week 17. The home crowd roared with excitement during the opening festivities in anticipation of the Browns' final home game. Nick Chubb's time on stage saw the highest bandwidth spike of the week at 9.9 Gbps.
Top Fan Engagement Moment of Week 18
Lambeau Field exploded with excitement following the Green Bay Packers thrilling victory over the Chicago Bears. With the win, the Packers secured a playoff bid and concluded a 7-3 stretch to end the season. The post-game celebration led to the highest bandwidth spike of the week at 16.1 Gbps.
Learn more about how Extreme Networks and the NFL are enhancing the game-day experience.