SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes have partnered with Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) to install its Wi-Fi 6 technology at PayPal Park. As an official technology partner, Cisco will leverage its solutions across networking and wireless to provide fans and team operators with secure, seamless Wi-Fi connectivity when the 2024 MLS season kicks off.
An industry leader in connecting and securing the largest sports and entertainment events in the world, Cisco technology will be the backbone of the networking infrastructure at PayPal Park, which first opened in 2015. The new, upgraded network will carry traffic for all back-of-house functions, such as operations, point of sale and signage, as well as fan-facing Wi-Fi. The modernization efforts will make PayPal Park one of only a handful of MLS-specific stadiums to deploy Cisco’s Wi-Fi 6 technology, which has been delivering record-setting results in leading venues around the world including SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona—sites of Super Bowl LVI and LVII, respectively.
In addition to the high-speed reliable network connectivity, the improvements will see the Quakes utilize Cisco’s ThousandEyes monitoring platform, giving the club unparalleled visibility into the entire network path, including cloud and internet environments. ThousandEyes will allow team operators to have an unmatched view of end-to-end network performance, enabling them to quickly identify issues as they arise and streamline workflows for faster resolution.
“As a worldwide leader in sports and entertainment as well as our neighbor in San Jose, Cisco is the natural partner to turn to for this project,” said Jed Mettee, Chief Operating Officer for the San Jose Earthquakes. “Cisco’s next generation Wi-Fi 6 technology will help us take our in-venue experience to the next level, offering the speed, bandwidth and reliability that we know fans demand.”
Cisco and the Quakes will also partner to launch Leveling the Pitch, a community-impact program that will provide local San Jose students the opportunity to learn more about careers in technology through hands-on opportunities and networking sessions with industry executives. The two organizations share a commitment to making a positive impact on their hometown by creating opportunities for local young leaders.
“The San Jose Earthquakes and Cisco have a joint vision to provide all fans, visitors, coaches and players an unparalleled and seamless connected experience at PayPal Park,” said Ashley Marusak, Leader, Global Sponsorship Marketing at Cisco. “Wi-Fi 6 is powering more immersive, connected experiences for sports fans all around the world, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to bring this technology to bear for Quakes fans in our own hometown of San Jose.”
Today’s announcement builds upon Cisco’s global involvement in the sport of football, leveraging its industry-leading solutions and expertise to connect clubs around the world, including Real Madrid F.C. and St. Louis CITY SC.
About San Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes, one of Major League Soccer’s original teams, are the epicenter for soccer in Northern California, playing at the highest professional level in the United States. The club won MLS Cups in 2001 and 2003 and took home Supporters’ Shields in 2005 and 2012. The club is based out of PayPal Park, an 18,000-seat soccer-specific stadium that opened in 2015. The organization was originally founded in 1974 in the North American Soccer League, and in 2024 will be celebrating its 50th anniversary of positively impacting communities around Northern California. The club’s nonprofit arm, the Quakes Foundation, focuses on health and fitness initiatives for local underserved youth and fighting food insecurity. For more information about the Earthquakes, visit www.sjearthquakes.com.
About Cisco
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