How the San Francisco 49ers Deliver a Connected Fan Experience at Levi’s Stadium
At Levi’s Stadium, cellular connectivity is an essential part of the fan experience. With up to 70,000 fans arriving, entering the venue, using mobile apps, sharing moments and staying connected throughout an event, the network has to perform seamlessly even at peak demand.
In this customer story, hear how the San Francisco 49ers work with Communication Technology Services (CTS) to strengthen 5G cellular connectivity at Levi’s Stadium, supporting fans across all three national mobile operators and helping deliver the premium, always-connected experience expected at one of sports and entertainment’s most technology-forward venues.
Key Moments
0:07 — Connectivity Is Essential to the Fan Experience
Why reliable cellular connectivity has become table stakes for delivering a premium experience at Levi’s Stadium.
0:32 — Performing Under Full-Capacity Demand
How the cellular network must perform when approximately 70,000 fans are connected and sharing their experience in real time.
0:45 — Supporting All Three National Mobile Operators
Why the 49ers want every fan to have a strong connectivity experience, regardless of their mobile provider.
1:18 — Creating a Premium Fan Experience
How seamless connectivity supports the experience fans expect at a technology-forward venue in Silicon Valley.
1:42 — Why the 49ers Partner With CTS
How CTS gives the 49ers confidence in the infrastructure behind the experience and continues to support the evolution of cellular connectivity at Levi’s Stadium.
Full Transcript
Levi’s Stadium wants to deliver an experience to fans like no other. We’re at the heart of Silicon Valley. We want to use technology to bring you the greatest experience in sports and entertainment. Whether that’s being connected, whether that’s having a fan experience through your app, you’re enjoying the game on the field, you’re enjoying your friends off the field, and we want technology to bring that together.
Our smartphones are part of us now. We want to make sure they’re supported as fans arrive at the event, enjoy the event, and leave the event. The cellular connectivity has to be able to support 70,000 fans, but not only support them—it has to execute with excellence. And that’s what we demand here at Levi’s Stadium.
It is important to support fans across all three national mobile operators because we don’t decide who their cell phone provider is. We love all our fans, and we want them to all have the same experience. When they come to the game, it doesn’t matter who they’re with. We want them to get an incredible connectivity experience, enjoy the game, and share that experience no matter what provider they’re with. We want to create 70,000 VIP experiences.
From a fan experience, the simplest way to describe the overall result is that your phone works. You’re able to scan in right away. You’re able to park right away, and there’s no lag. You’re able to enjoy and share the experience with your friends and family at the stadium and around the world. You don’t have to think about the connectivity—you just have to think about what you can do.
A premium experience in a venue of this scale in Silicon Valley means fans have to have the technology they expect, the technology they want, and the technology they need to enjoy the game on the field and have a great time with their friends off the field. We’re connected 24/7, not only with our friends who come to the stadium, but with our friends at home and around the world. Being able to share that experience and be connected all the time is incredibly important. That’s what we deliver here at Levi’s Stadium.
At Levi’s Stadium and the 49ers, we don’t look for vendors—we look for partners. We need someone we can work hand in hand with to create the best experience in sports and to do something that no one else has done. Working with CTS, that’s what we have accomplished. We work together, we iterate, we upgrade, and we ideate. We continue to work with CTS to build the greatest cellular connectivity in sports and entertainment.
Related Resources for Stadium and Venue Connectivity
Explore more CTS resources on stadium wireless connectivity, high-density cellular networks, and the infrastructure required to keep fans connected during major events.
Stadiums & Venues Wireless Solutions
CTS helps stadiums, arenas, and entertainment venues design, deploy, and manage wireless infrastructure built for high-density environments, supporting fan connectivity, venue operations, public safety, and long-term network performance.
Cellular DAS & Small Cell Solutions
CTS designs and deploys cellular DAS and small cell solutions that provide the coverage, capacity, and multi-carrier connectivity required across complex, high-density environments.
Managed Operations, Monitoring & Maintenance
CTS helps maintain long-term wireless performance with 24/7 monitoring, preventive maintenance, remote diagnostics, repair coordination, and field support for critical wireless infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stadium Cellular Connectivity
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Large stadiums typically require purpose-built cellular infrastructure designed to provide both coverage and capacity under extremely high user density. A Distributed Antenna System (DAS) is commonly used to distribute cellular service throughout seating areas, concourses, suites, clubs, parking areas, and other venue spaces. The system must be engineered for peak event-day demand rather than normal day-to-day occupancy.
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Large stadiums typically require purpose-built cellular infrastructure designed to provide both coverage and capacity under extremely high user density. A Distributed Antenna System (DAS) is commonly used to distribute cellular service throughout seating areas, concourses, suites, clubs, parking areas, and other venue spaces. The system must be engineered for peak event-day demand rather than normal day-to-day occupancy.
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A multi-carrier cellular network allows infrastructure within the venue to support subscribers from multiple mobile network operators rather than serving customers from only one carrier. For stadiums and large venues, multi-carrier connectivity is important because fans arrive with different mobile providers but expect a consistent experience regardless of which carrier they use.
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Stadium operators should consider coverage, capacity, expected event-day density, mobile operator participation, spectrum requirements, network architecture, equipment lifecycle, monitoring, maintenance, and the ability to evolve the system as carrier technologies change. A successful stadium cellular network should be designed for both current demand and long-term network evolution.
Planning Cellular Connectivity for a Stadium or High-Density Venue?
CTS designs, deploys, and manages cellular connectivity solutions built for the coverage, capacity, and performance demands of stadiums, arenas, and other high-density venues.