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Summer time is officially over, but for sports fans, it’s one of the best times of the year! Close to home, college football is in full swing; the NFL is back in action; the MLB playoffs are around the corner; and the start of both the NHL and NBA seasons is on the horizon. What more could a sports fan ask for?

The answer for today’s digital fans is a fully connected, more convenient and engaging fan experience from the moment they enter the venue to the moment they leave. With that goal in mind, here’s a look at what some leading sports properties are doing to improve the digital fan journey when embarking upon new facility construction or extensive renovation initiatives:

Little Caesars Arena: The state-of-the-art home of the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Pistons opens for the start of the 2017-2018 seasons, boasting the latest in connectivity and amenities for fans, players and arena staff. With more than 1,000 Wi-Fi access points blanketing the arena’s footprint and more than 1,300 centrally-controlled monitors across the venue, Cisco Vision for S&E and the accompanying network will allow teams to deliver more dynamic and targeted content, customizing the experience to meet the unique needs of each event. Fans expect this, and Little Caesars Arena is making it a reality. In addition, fans and visitors will soon be able to experience a seamless digital experience in the plaza and district surrounding the Little Caesars Arena with Cisco’s connected solutions. Read more.

University of Notre Dame Stadium: One of the most historic venues in college football, Notre Dame Stadium underwent an extensive restoration – and expansion to support academic programs – before the 2017-2018 season that offers significant upgrades to the overall fan experience. Cisco Connected Stadium Wi-Fi allows fans to reliably share and consume content in new ways, while the brand-new HD videoboard will enable new opportunities for the university to connect with and excite the Irish fanbase. Read more.

Sports Authority Field at Mile High: The home of the Denver Broncos continues to make strategic investments in their Connected Stadium Wi-Fi platform. More than 1,400 new access points will be installed throughout the stadium on the latest Cisco Connected Stadium network, taking advantage of the latest Cisco Wi-Fi innovations to provide more than double the previous coverage. Now that’s the power of digital! Read more.

US Bank Stadium: Ok, so maybe the Minnesota Vikings’ home isn’t brand-new anymore, but as US Bank Stadium opens for its second season (and as host of the Super Bowl this season!), it remains one of the crown jewels of a digital fan experience. US Bank Stadium was designed with the fan in mind – and every aspect of the venue reflects that. And the fact that it is built on Cisco’s flexible, next generation network ensures it will continue to innovate and adapt to changing fan needs for years to come. Read more.

T-Mobile Arena: The high-tech T-Mobile Arena has been open for a more than 18-months, but this will be the first year they welcome an official NHL team, the Vegas Golden Knights, to the venue. Fans attending the games at T-Mobile Arena and surrounding plaza will experience more engaging and connected experiences with Cisco’s high-density Wi-Fi and Cisco Vision for S&E. Watch the video.

So GAME ON, sports fans! With the ongoing innovation and investment into bigger and better digital technologies, there has never been a more exciting time to take in a live sporting event.