Minnesota Fans Welcome New Stadium, New Digital Game Day Experience

When the Minnesota Vikings take on the rival Green Bay Packers this weekend, it will mark the first-ever NFL game at the brand-new U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings and their passionate fans are excited to usher in a new age of football and digital experiences that are already being touted as some of the best in sports and entertainment.

The 2016 NFL season promises to be one of the most connected – and most exciting – seasons that we’ve ever seen. Each year, technology becomes more and more integrated into every aspect of the game, from the players on the field, to the coaches on the sidelines, to the fans in the stands. And a brand-new stadium means a new opportunity to create a cutting-edge digital experience for fans, built on a flexible platform to innovate for years to come.

Cisco is proud to once again be leading the way in the digital transformation of the sports industry as one of the key technology partners at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings’ new home joins more than 350 stadiums and arenas in more than 40 countries around the globe that harness the power of Cisco Connected Sports and Entertainment Solutions, allowing fans to enjoy a more connected and immersive digital experience than ever before. At the same time, these solutions are helping to power new revenue streams for teams and venues, from deeper engagement via mobile apps to more immersive HD video and targeted dynamic signage to offer fans relevant content and promotions throughout the stadium. At U.S. Bank Stadium, Cisco has partnered with CenturyLink – a stadium Founding Partner – to deliver a world-class digital experience that will benefit both the fans and the team.

“We are pleased to partner with Cisco to make U.S. Bank Stadium one of the most technologically advanced sporting venues in the world,” said Duane Ring, Senior Vice President of Global Field Operations at CenturyLink. “We know that today’s sports fans expect more than ever before in terms of connectivity and digital content, and we are confident in our ability to deliver incredible benefits for the fans, the Vikings and their partners, such as content distribution on 2,000 high-definition televisions throughout the stadium, broadcasting infrastructure for the games, and 1,350 Wi-Fi access points providing stadium-wide internet access.”

U.S. Bank Stadium boasts Cisco Connected Stadium Wi-Fi, a high-density wireless network that provides a secure and reliable connection for all fans. The 1,350 Wi-Fi access points located throughout the stadium will keep fans connected like never before throughout all stages of the game day journey. Stadium information, digital tickets, mobile food and beverage ordering, public transportation updates, game stats, replays, game video and more are all only a click away – right where fans want them to be!

U.S. Bank Stadium also hosts one of the largest Cisco StadiumVision deployments to date, with more than 2,000 HD displays throughout the concourse, concession and club areas of the arena to keep fans on top of all the action and event needs with live video and dynamic content.

“Our goal is to make U.S. Bank Stadium the premier venue in the league for fans to watch an NFL game, and a large part of that game day experience revolves around technology,” said John Penhollow, Vice President of Corporate and Technology Partnerships for the Minnesota Vikings. “By partnering with market leaders such as Cisco and CenturyLink, we are ensuring that we are able to deliver our fans the digital experiences they crave today and are equipped to respond to those needs for years to come. These two partners have proven that their technology performs on the largest of stages, and we’re confident that our fans will be blown away.”

So while it’s impossible to predict how the season will turn out on the field in Minnesota, one thing is certain – the digital fan experience will be unparalleled! Skol Vikings!