Wireless data use at NFL stadiums has continued to surge, according to a new report from Verizon. During the 2024 season, average mobile consumption increased 37% over 2023, hitting about 960 terabytes. Video accounted for one-quarter of all data use, while call time inched up 8% to 4.3 million minutes.
Monday night games averaged four terabytes, highest of any day of regular action, more than the 3.6 terabytes used during an average game on Sunday.
The insights were contained in Verizon’s annual Consumer Connections report, which also features data points for areas like shopping, connected homes and holiday celebrations. The increase in mobile activity at NFL games is a result of several factors, with technological advances yielding faster, more powerful phones and commercial and societal customs continuing to migrate to the digital world. Tickets, parking and other game-day elements are all contained on phones, with many NFL sites operating as cash-free, mobile-payment-friendly facilities.
In 2021, Verizon entered into a 10-year deal with the NFL under which it provides 5G wireless services to stadiums. The deal spans not only fan-facing elements during games, but also wireless communication among coaches and team personnel and stadium workers. (And don’t forget those many, many replay reviews.)
“Fans at NFL stadiums come together to tailgate, watch the action, cheer on their team and chow down on nachos,” the report overseen by Verizon Consumer Group CEO Sowmyanarayan Sampath said. “They’re also creating and sharing their own experience of the game. Calling, texting and using social media to connect with fellow fans. Checking other scores and following fantasy teams. Engaging with on-site entertainment like AR and VR activations.”
AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, led all stadiums for total data usage, in large part because of its large seating capacity (80,000, or more than 100,000 including standing-room areas. Its 6.2 terabytes of data consumption marked an 11% increase over the 2023 season. The second-most-mobile NFL venue, U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, saw its data use jump 60% to 5.6 terabytes. Finishing in last place was a venerable stadium in the league’s smallest market: Green Bay’s Lambeau Field, whose 1.9 terabytes of data rose 28% from 2023.
NFC stadiums, interestingly, had 24% more mobile usage than AFC ones.
