The Tech Behind the Steelers' Steel Curtain

The Pittsburgh Technology Council's Content Coordinator Sheena Carroll was invited learn about all the ways Verizon technology is optimizing the stadium experience for NFL fans, coaches, athletes, and vendors this year, and what it means for the 2024-25 season. She got an upfront view of how it all comes together at Acrisure Stadium. Here's her take from the tour and what she learned:

When 68,000 Steelers fans try connecting to one cell tower, it’s like a million cars trying to merge onto a two-lane road – a total nightmare! Fortunately, there’s a hidden MVP at Acrisure Stadium on any given Sunday: Verizon’s 5G network.  

With Verizon’s ultra-wideband 5G coverage, attending fans can experience seamless streaming, quick social media updates, and easy sharing of major moments without worrying about network lag. Their implementation of cutting edge, millimeter-wave spectrum technology is designed to handle the pressures of a packed stadium – which is important, because almost every Steelers home game nearly reaches capacity.

Verizon’s network architecture in the stadium is vast, with hundreds of antennae throughout connecting to the vast stacks of radios nestled in telecommunications closets. Two engineers look at over 300 different metrics during an average game; during the Super Bowl, this work is done by a control room-sized staff. 

As an NFL sponsor, Verizon also serves as the official coach-to-coach communication carrier for all 30 stadiums, including Acrisure. There are antennae located at roughly the 30-yard line dedicated to this vital level of communication during games; the headphones that the coaches and coordinators wear use private Verizon LTE networks that are much more like cell phones than the radios of old. Verizon’s networks are also used in player helmets for one-way communication to facilitate play calls.

No matter where fans are, they can use their mobile devices without missing a single moment. This extends all the way to the parking lot, where Verizon has also extended coverage for tailgaters and fans who are just arriving at the gates.

Football isn’t just about touchdowns and tackles; it’s about the entire experience from kickoff to the final whistle. And now with Verizon’s 5G network, the experience at Acrisure Stadium is more immersive than ever.

Check Out These Winning Numbers:

2022: The year that Verizon shifted Acrisure Stadium to 5G

800+: Verizon network antennae installed in Acrisure Stadium

68,400: Acrisure Stadium’s maximum capacity

52 Terabytes: The average amount of data used by Super Bowl attendees each year