Let the games begin

With the ‘Summer of Sport’ officially upon us, fans have a full line up of events to look forward to. Whether it's the Euros, Olympics or Paralympics, stadiums across the world are taking centre stage over the next couple of months. However, whilst these sporting events get a lot of airtime, few attendees ever find out about the technical complexity that goes on behind the scenes.

The majority of sporting venues possess extremely convoluted digital infrastructures which include multiple data centres, spread out across different sites. For stadium operators and IT managers, maintaining a clear view across each of these sites is critical. Without this, they are unable to detect abnormalities which could lead to game disruptions that interfere with the fan experience.

Using monitoring to ensure the stadium experience

In recent years, the way that sport is consumed has been totally transformed by modern technologies. Football and rugby stadiums used to be a set of stands and a muddy pitch. Spectators used to queue for hours just to catch a 2-second glimpse of a horse race through binoculars. But, in today’s sporting world, cameras capture every moment of the action, replays and video assistant referees (VARs) have become key features in decision making and fans can share their experiences in real-time with their friends via their mobile phones. The fan experience today is shaped by modern technologies more than ever. However, without an effective IT network, none of them would be able to operate.

Many of the venues that will feature in our upcoming ‘Summer of Sport’ have complex IT environments. Multiple data centres and locations as well as various tools and technologies increase the network complexity. In conclusion it has become increasingly challenging to keep track of all the incoming information from different sources. If individual systems or applications fail, and this goes unnoticed, then operations can become severely disrupted.

We are so reliant on technology today that, in the very worst instances, if the network goes down games need to be cancelled, leaving fans unsatisfied and organisers out of pocket. Therefore, it is essential to catch any potential issues before they become serious problems. This is why IT monitoring is the unsung hero in many sporting events.

IT monitoring technologies in podium position

Just as businesses need to keep a constant eye on their IT networks, so do sports stadiums. Having an effective monitoring system in place – with centralised dashboards and alerting capabilities – enables a holistic picture of the situation. By bringing together data from all locations under one umbrella it helps to increase visibility across an entire event. This can include a plethora of information – from lighting and audio to how many people are in certain areas of a stadium at any one time.

The level of monitoring can improve the fan experience in a few different ways. For example, it ensures reliable access to Wi-Fi and mobile networks during sporting events. As well as keeping fans connected, this helps to keep them up to date, through checking that digital signage and information displays are working properly and monitoring the performance of any applications that stadiums might use for schedules, scoring and other important updates.

IT monitoring technologies can also help to increase safety at large events by using sensors and cameras to check crowd density and movement, making real time adjustments to crowd management strategies. Furthermore, they can support the operation of emergency alert systems, ensuring timely communication in the case of evacuations or medical incidents.

Improving the fan experience

IT monitoring systems can truly change the game when it comes to spectator experiences.  The data that they collect has the potential to provide unique insight into fan behaviours and preferences which can be analysed by stadium operators to inform future decision-making. These insights can be applied in various ways, from crafting more targeted marketing strategies and enhancing fan engagement on social media to shaping the design and functionality of future stadiums.

This summer, it’s essential that venues and stadiums are ready to support the influx of fans that are likely to visit. IT monitoring could play a key role in improving the spectator experience and ensuring that this ‘Summer of Sport’ is a success, regardless of the victors.