Buffalo Bills Installed New Converged Stadium Network
The Buffalo Bills implemented a Cisco-powered network at Highmark Stadium to support modern digital operations.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Telecommunications
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The Buffalo Bills have equipped the new Highmark Stadium with a single converged network managed by Cisco. The infrastructure features 1,300 Wi-Fi access points to support connectivity across the 60,000-seat venue.
Why it matters
The team moved away from legacy systems to eliminate complex vendor-specific patching and boost overall IT efficiency. This unified architecture provides the necessary bandwidth to support digital signage, perimeter security, and event connectivity.
The stadium network features 1,300 Cisco Wi-Fi 7 access points covering 64% of the venue. The system is managed within an 18,000-square-foot technology center and utilizes the SMPTE 2110 standard for broadcast operations.
The players
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in the Buffalo metropolitan area that competes in the National Football League.
Cisco
Cisco is a global technology conglomerate that develops, manufactures, and sells networking hardware and telecommunications equipment.
Nutanix
Nutanix is a cloud computing software company that provides hyperconverged infrastructure solutions for enterprise data centers.
The details
Engineers integrated Cisco UCS and Nutanix architecture to create a flexible backbone for the stadium. Cisco Wi-Fi 7 antennas were mounted directly into the canopy to maximize coverage for fans throughout the bowl.
Timeline
The IT team began building the network infrastructure eight months before the stadium completion.
The old stadium hosted a preseason game in 2025.
Highmark Stadium officially opened in 2026.
The 2026 preseason opener served as the initial test for the new system.
The Tech Race
The stadium's adoption of the SMPTE 2110 standard aligns with the wider transition of sports venue media infrastructure to IP-based workflows. This move positions Highmark Stadium at the forefront of the industry shift toward unified, software-defined broadcasting.
Fans attending games can expect significantly faster connection speeds and more reliable wireless access throughout the venue. The improved network also enables smoother digital ticketing and enhanced security measures during large-scale events.
The takeaway
The move to a converged network highlights the critical role of robust IT infrastructure in modern large-scale entertainment venues. Organizations that prioritize unified connectivity can better manage the massive data demands of today's tech-focused event experiences.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest connectivity trends in the Telecommunications section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Network World.
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