EXTREME NETWORKS CASE STUDY : BALTIMORE RAVENS
High-Density , Stadium- Grade Wi-Fi Drives Fan Engagement
BALTIMORE RAVENS ENVIRONMENT
• Over 71,000 Seats
• Open-Air Stadium
TECHNOLOGY NEEDS
• Mobile Point-of-Sale
• Mobile Ticketing
• Guest Wi-Fi
• Game Day App
• Streaming Video
• Incident Management App
• Security Systems
• Wired and Wireless
PRODUCTS UTILIZED
• ExtremeWireless
• APs , Wireless Controllers
• ExtremeSwitching
• Switches
• ExtremeControl
• Access Control
• ExtremeManagement
• Management Center
• ExtremeAnalytics
• Application Analytics
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football team based in Baltimore , Maryland . Competing in the National Football League , the Ravens are part of the AFC North division and plays its home games at M & T Bank Stadium . With a capacity of over 71,000 , M & T Bank Stadium hosts a wide array of events annually , in addition to the eight football games played at the venue each year .
M & T Bank Stadium , without a doubt , is where NFL excitement begins any given Sunday . And that ' s because Baltimore Ravens home games and M & T Bank Stadium have become synonymous with winning . Since capturing their first Super Bowl title in 2000 , the Ravens have compiled an impressive home record , 94-34 , the NFL ' s second-best winning percentage since 2015 .
While the Ravens ’ on-field successes continue to meet and surpass fan expectations , off the field , the team acknowledged that some improvements and enhancements were necessary .
Better Connections : In-Venue and to the Outside World
The Ravens knew that an in-venue Wi-Fi investment would be a huge asset for optimizing game day operations and enabling in-stadium fans with full connectivity and unrestricted use of their mobile devices . The team would have an improved ability to enhance the in-venue experience with differentiated game day content delivered through the Ravens ' team app , including live streaming and on-demand video . In addition , a unified and robust network with stadium grade Wi-Fi would help with the support of mission-critical business functions and the advancement of digital marketing initiatives .
“ For the Ravens , it ’ s not about a sponsorship-led deal , it ’ s about ensuring it works for our guests and for our fans and for the people that are employed here . The technology was the main driver .”
ROY SOMMERHOF VP OF STADIUM OPERATIONS , BALTIMORE RAVENS
The Ravens had evaluated Wi-Fi solutions for a number of years , but their first step toward improving mobile connectivity in-venue was the installation of a DAS ( Distributed Antenna System ) to bolster cellular-based capabilities at M & T Bank Stadium . That said , the team was ready to take the next step to allow more guests and fans to be connected to the outside world . In order to provide fans with the best game day experience possible and to compete with the inhome experience , Wi-Fi was a necessity .
Baltimore Ravens and M & T Bank Stadium – Case Study 1
Case Study