- Attendees: 100,000
- Sevens Footprint: 78 Acres
- Stadium Area: 1.04 Million sq ft
- Events
- High density WiFi
- 36 Sub Networks
- Scanners & POS Connectivity
- Media & Photographers Connectivity
- Centralized Management
- Reduce Network Congestion
- Limited Time
The Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, the Middle East’s longest-running sporting event, held at the Emirates Sevens Stadium, this iconic tournament now welcomes over 100,000 fans across its three-day duration, transforming the venue into a bustling hub of activity.
Recognizing the critical role of connectivity in enhancing the game-day experience, the Emirates Group partnered with EZELINK to deploy a state-of-the-art, stadium-wide Wi-Fi network. EZELINK delivered high-density wireless coverage for tens of thousands of users, overcoming significant challenges to optimize operations, engage fans, and set a new standard for sports venue connectivity.
Connectivity is the heartbeat of modern sports events. Our goal was to make the Dubai Sevens a benchmark for fan engagement
— Faisal Al-Mulla, Emirates Group Operations Lead
EZELINK’s approach combined innovative technology with meticulous planning:
- High-Capacity APs: Unlike standard enterprise APs (supporting 30–50 devices), EZELINK’s patented APs handled up to 300 clients each, ideal for the stadium’s dense environment of 40,000 smartphones.
- Dual-Band Optimization: Deployed dual-band APs to manage upload and download traffic equally, delivering consistent speeds exceeding 35 Mbps across seating areas.
- Reduced AP Count: Installed just 300 APs—versus a legacy vendor’s 1,000—covering the stadium’s vast footprint efficiently, minimizing hardware and installation costs.
Technical Deployment
The network infrastructure was tailored to the stadium’s complexity:
- Core Infrastructure: Gigabit switches formed the wired backbone, connecting indoor and outdoor APs with directional and multi-directional antennas.
- Coverage Areas: Blanketed the main stadium, retail zones, entertainment areas, VIP sections, and six pitches with seamless Wi-Fi.
- Network Segmentation: Created dedicated VLANs for POS, media, security, staff, and guest access, ensuring performance isolation and security.
Centralized Management
The EZELINK platform provided a unified management system:
- WLAN Controllers: Offered real-time visibility and control over hundreds of APs and thousands of users.
- EZE-Analytics: Enabled advanced monitoring, tracking connection quality down to a seat-by-seat level.
- 24/7 NOC: A Network Operations Center ensured round-the-clock support, maintaining uptime during the event.
Deploying a high-density Wi-Fi network in a live, large-scale venue presented formidable obstacles. EZELINK addressed these with strategic solutions.
High-Density Demand
- Challenge: Supporting 100,000+ attendees, with up to 40,000 concurrent smartphone users, strained traditional Wi-Fi capacity.
- Solution: Deployed Wi-Fi 6 APs with enhanced throughput and patented capacity technology, managing triple the clients of standard systems.
Radio Frequency (RF) Interference
- Challenge: Thousands of wireless devices introduced significant RF noise, risking signal degradation in a dense stadium setting.
- Solution: Fine-tuned AP channel assignments and RF power levels during implementation, adapting to the dynamic RF environment with real-time adjustments.
Multi-Network Complexity
- Challenge: Designing and securing separate Wi-Fi networks for POS, media, security, and fans required intricate planning and robust security measures.
- Solution: Implemented VLAN segmentation and WPA3 encryption, with WLAN controllers ensuring seamless operation across all networks.
Rapid Installation in a Live Venue
- Challenge: Installing 300 APs across 1.04 million square feet in 21 days, without disrupting ongoing events or damaging the stadium, was a logistical feat.
- Solution: Used pre-existing infrastructure where possible, avoiding extensive drilling, and leveraged a dedicated team to work during off-peak hours.
The Wi-Fi network elevated the Dubai Sevens to new heights:
- Fan Engagement: Fans enjoyed speeds over 35 Mbps for uploading photos, streaming live video, and checking social media, with 95% reporting improved connectivity in a 2025 post-event survey.
- Multimedia Access: Seamless access to competing game streams and in-venue content enriched the spectator experience.
Operational Excellence
The network streamlined stadium operations:
- POS Efficiency: Mobile POS systems processed transactions 20% faster, reducing queue times at retail outlets.
- Security and Media: Scanners and broadcast systems operated flawlessly, supporting safety and global coverage of the event.
Cost and Time Savings
EZELINK’s efficient design delivered significant benefits:
- Reduced Hardware: 300 APs versus a legacy vendor’s 1,000 cut hardware costs by 60% and installation expenses by avoiding extensive concrete drilling.
- Record Deployment: Completed in 21 days, versus months for traditional setups, preserving the stadium’s integrity.
The Wi-Fi infrastructure positions the Emirates Sevens Stadium as a versatile venue:
- Multi-Event Ready: Supports concerts, exhibitions, and corporate events with the same high-density performance.
- IoT Integration: Future-proofed for smart stadium features like crowd analytics, environmental sensors, and automated ticketing.
Technological Edge
EZELINK’s solution ensures long-term value:
- Scalable Design: Additional APs or bandwidth upgrades can be seamlessly integrated as attendance grows.
- Data Insights: EZE-Analytics provides actionable data for optimizing future events, from seating layouts to bandwidth allocation.
The collaboration between the Emirates Group and EZELINK at the Emirates Sevens Stadium exemplifies how advanced Wi-Fi technology can redefine the sports experience. By delivering stadium-wide, high-density connectivity for over 100,000 fans, EZELINK overcame complex challenges to enhance game-day engagement, streamline operations, and future-proof the venue—all within a record 21 days.