Why private 5G is becoming critical infrastructure for large venues

United Kingdom, Oct 26, 2026

By Frank Rubotham, Head of Cisco Alliance and Propositions at Logicalis UKI.

How resilient connectivity can support critical operations, unlock new technologies and deliver better event experiences 

Sporting venues are becoming increasingly technology-dependent environments. Whether it is a football stadium, racecourse, tennis venue or golf tournament, organisers now rely on an expanding range of connected systems to keep events running smoothly, securely and efficiently.

On event days, thousands of fans arrive alongside security personnel, kiosk staff, stewards, medical teams, broadcasters and AV crews. Ticketing systems, payment terminals, cameras, staff communications and other operational technologies all need reliable connectivity, often across large or densely populated environments.

Connectivity is therefore becoming much more than a way of improving the digital experience available to spectators. It is increasingly part of the operational infrastructure on which sporting venues depend.

Fan expectations are changing too. Research published by Deloitte found that more modern fans expect in-person events to offer the same digital richness they get at home, with over half of respondents wishing they had better access to instant replays, live commentary and real-time analytics during a game.

Similarly, research by Designit following the FIFA World Cup 2026 highlights opportunities for sporting venues to create more personalised and connected experiences; however, fan experience is only one part of the equation. Behind the scenes, sporting venues need networks capable of supporting increasingly complex operations without compromising performance. Whether a venue hosts one type of sport or multiple event formats, reliable connectivity is becoming fundamental to how effectively it operates.

The problem with traditional connectivity

Historically, connectivity has often been treated as a supporting component of venue infrastructure rather than critical operational infrastructure in its own right.

While standard Wi-Fi and public mobile networks are reliable enough for many everyday applications, they can struggle in large sporting environments due to bandwidth demands, radio interference, geographic coverage requirements and heavy-duty building materials that can affect signal travel.

For venue operators, the bigger concern is ensuring their most important systems continue to function when demand is at its highest.

If connectivity supporting core event functions fails, ticketing gates, merchandise and hospitality payments, security systems or staff communications can be disrupted. These are not simply inconveniences for spectators; continued disruption can compromise safety, affect operational efficiency and result in significant financial losses.

The challenge only grows as venues introduce more technology. Every additional connected camera, payment terminal or communications device creates another dependency that needs to be managed.

The pivot to P5G

With many venues moving towards cashless payments, paperless ticketing and increasingly connected operations, resilient networks have become an operational necessity. As a result, private 5G (P5G) is emerging as an important infrastructure option.

Unlike relying solely on public mobile connectivity, P5G enables an organisation to establish a dedicated network for its own operational requirements. This gives operators greater control over network performance and allows critical applications and devices to be prioritised according to business need.

Already popular across sectors such as manufacturing, transport, logistics and healthcare, P5G capabilities have delivered documented improvements in network coverage and performance.

Importantly, P5G is not simply another connectivity service being offered directly to spectators. Its value lies in giving operators a resilient, controllable network for the technologies required to run their venue.

That could include security, staff communications, ticketing, payments and other connected systems. Fans ultimately benefit because these services work more reliably, but the immediate business case is enabling the organisation behind the event to operate efficiently and confidently.

As more event technologies are added, this resilience becomes increasingly important. More devices and systems create greater complexity and more opportunities for operational failure, making the network supporting them a critical part of running large-scale sporting events safely and seamlessly.

Scaling P5G capabilities

To scale P5G capabilities, sporting venues should start by identifying their mission-critical workflows and assessing where a dedicated network can deliver the greatest impact.

This includes high-stakes areas such as ticketing, security and communications, where even a few moments of downtime can create immediate risk. Starting here also allows venue operators and network partners to stress-test performance against third-party integrations, broadcasting hardware and security systems in a controlled environment.

From there, P5G can gradually be phased into areas such as digital signage, interactive displays and other smart venue technologies. This approach allows connectivity to scale alongside operational requirements rather than demanding a single large-scale change.

Crucially, there is no one-size-fits-all model. The connectivity requirements of a football stadium will differ from those of a racecourse, tennis venue or golf tournament. P5G deployments therefore need to be designed around the operational needs of each environment.

Connectivity as a long-term asset

For sporting venues, reliable connectivity is becoming an increasingly important part of delivering safe, efficient and commercially successful events.

For some, that will include supporting different event formats. For others, the priority will simply be making the sporting events they already host more resilient and efficient. In either case, connectivity and physical infrastructure increasingly need to be considered together.

P5G's biggest opportunity is behind the scenes: giving operators confidence that the systems their venues depend upon will perform reliably under pressure.

When ticketing, payments, security, communications and other technologies work as intended, fans benefit too. The result is a venue that can operate more efficiently, adopt new technologies with greater confidence and ultimately deliver the seamless experience spectators increasingly expect.

Learn more about our P5G offering here

 

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