IBM and Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) have announced a new strategic partnership that focuses on leveraging IBM’s converged technology platforms to deliver a world-class fan experience at the California soccer team’s new 22,000-seat Banc of California Stadium. This will be the first MLS soccer-specific stadium partnership for IBM and one of the first professional sports venues to commit to developing such an advanced platform.
IBM and LAFC are working together to reinvent what it means to be ‘connected’ while in the stadium. This collaboration will provide an enhanced fan experience and will be flexible enough to adapt to new and evolving mobile technologies that seamlessly deliver the most innovative and efficient operations for the team, stadium management, business shareholders, fans and others.
Set to debut in 2018, the Banc of California Stadium, which will bring more than US$350m in private investment to South Los Angeles, will be the first open-air stadium built in Los Angeles in over 30 years.
“We are thrilled about forging this partnership with an iconic international technology leader like IBM,” said LAFC president and owner Tom Penn. “This partnership underscores our club’s commitment to leveraging innovation for a best-in-class fan experience. With the pace of technological evolution, this partnership will set us up to provide best-in-class connectivity in the Banc of California Stadium, not only in 2018, but also as we look to the future.”
IBM will be responsible for the design, procurement, installation and commissioning of the converged technology infrastructure components, providing wireless coverage and an optimal digital experience for the more than 22,000 attendees inside the stadium as well as sharing with those beyond. The integration of various systems will deliver this world-class experience to engage fans and partners.
“The explosive growth of an immersive fan experience has elevated people’s expectations when they attend any large venue event,” said Peter Lorenzen, general manager of networking services at IBM Global Technology Services. “Today, stadia such as LAFC’s new facility are embracing new and innovative solutions that answer the call and in doing so are helping to reinvent the game-day experience.”
Additionally, the wi-fi infrastructure will include sophisticated and secure digital operations and security. The wi-fi services will be delivered via a converged fiber-based network, including an IP-based digital signage and media distribution solution. This partnership will also optimize the venue with an integrated monitoring and security infrastructure that can identify issues involving the stadium’s ingress and egress before they have an impact on fans. This will help create a secure stadium that utilizes advanced physical security systems.
“LAFC’s relationship with IBM is completely aligned with our organizational commitment to forge strategic partnerships that provide a first class fan experience and to maximize the technology do so,” said LAFC SVP, corporate partnerships, Jamie Guin.
October 20, 2016
Image courtesy of LAFC
