Technology

Tech Stack: Arena MRV, McDonald Jones Stadium and more

Featured image credit: Atlético Mineiro

Arena MRV, the new home of Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A football club Atlético Mineiro, is investing in Wi-Fi 6E infrastructure provided by Cisco and Nexa Tecnologia.

The technology will be similar to that employed at SoFi Stadium, home of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, and Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders. It will enable 46,000 fans to be connected simultaneously during matches at Arena MRV and allow transmission of 4K videos, augmented reality and streaming.

More than 800 high-density Wi-Fi access points have been installed to ensure the system runs smoothly. Arena MRV staged its inaugural event in April as around 9,000 fans were given their first look at the stadium.

Luciano Barcellos, vice-president of global sales at Nexa Tecnologia, told the Maquina do Esporte website: “SoFi Stadium, as well as Allegiant Stadium, were the main inspirations for the development of Arena MRV’s Wi-Fi network.

“It will be an experience never seen before in Brazil, using the same technologies used in the most modern stadiums of the main American professional football league in the USA. Anyone watching a match will be able to make a video and broadcast it live on social networks, for example.”

McDonald Jones Stadium, home of the NRL’s Newcastle Knights and A-League team Newcastle Jets, will be fitted with two new LED matchday screens as part of a major upgrade.

The 160sqm HD resolution LED video screens will be up to twice the size of the current screens and will be ready for the start of the 2024 NRL season. Pending approval from Newcastle City Council, works will commence in November.

Tim Crakanthorp MP, Minister for the Hunter Region and Member for Newcastle, said: “With this important investment, the NSW Government is ensuring that the major events the people of the Hunter had to drive to Sydney for can now be held in their own backyard.

“These new screens will completely change the in-stadium experience for local fans, but they will also help attract more major events to Newcastle which will mean less time on the M1 (road) for them.”

Artificial intelligence technology will be used to provide commentary during the upcoming European Athletics Team Championships in Silesia, Poland.

The initiative between Eurovision Sport and European Athletics will see the cloned voice of former world silver medalist and commentator Hannah England used during the event, which runs from June 20-25.

AI will replicate the content of European Athletics’ live blog, which will be available in audio format for the first time as part of the 24-hour live audio stream on the European Athletics YouTube channel. It will mark the first time that any sport organisation in Europe has used AI to provide commentary.

Scottish Premiership football club Hibernian has entered into a partnership with digital fan engagement company Social Asking.

Hibernian becomes the first Scottish team to partner with Social Asking, which has previously worked with the likes of Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers.

Social Asking will enable Hibernian to better understand its audiences through its platform, where users can engage in questionnaires, provide ratings and leave qualitative feedback.