STADIUM CX
EFL Championship and EFL League stadiums too Gaining press attention recently has been Wrexham FC in EFL (English Football League) League One and Watford FC who currently compete in the EFL Championship. Watford Football Club, founded in 1881, and residing in Vicarage Road for over a century, has recently catapulted its club’s IT infrastructure and operational efficiency with ASUS. Paul O’Brien, Watford club’s Commercial Director, pointed out that tradition must evolve, “We want to use technology to its full potential. We look at other sports like Formula One and how they use technology in every department – that’s what we want to do here.” Watford’s partnership with ASUS began just over a year ago, and partnership was not just about upgrading existing systems; it was about rethinking how every department at Watford could leverage technology to enhance performance, efficiency, and ultimately, the fan experience. ASUS brought a suite of solutions to the table, each meticulously tailored to address specific needs across the club.
HPE Aruba Networking is no stranger to the world of sports and event venues. Known for their security-first, AI-powered networking, they’ve been integral to the infrastructure of some of the biggest arenas in the UK, Europe and North America. Excitement for Goodison 2.0 Richard Kenyon, Chief Commercial and Communications Officer at Everton Football Club has expressed his excitement: “Working with HPE Aruba Networking will give Everton Stadium a best-in-class Wi-Fi network infrastructure and we are delighted to have them as an Official Supplier. Their expertise in networking some of the biggest venues in the UK, Europe and North America will be important as we develop the digital infrastructure and potential of Everton Stadium.” Mark Weeks, director of UK & Ireland, HPE Aruba Networking, expressed the company’s pride in joining the project and reiterated their commitment to delivering a world-class venue for Everton, “We are proud to be joining the project to deliver a world-class venue and a world-class home for Everton. At HPE Aruba Networking, we know that technology is a key element to every fan experience, from the point when they enter the stadium, at times when they want to share their excitement with loved ones outside of the stadium, at half-time, when leveraging local services like restaurants and bars, and even after the match has ended. HPE Aruba Networking’s custom-designed and reliable network infrastructure enables Everton to stay connected with their fans throughout their matchday experience and beyond, helping the club create a modern, interactive matchday experience.” Stay tuned, Evertonians. Your new digital wonderland is on its way.
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Richard Kenyon Chief Commercial & Communications Officer
evertonfc.com
Final Whistle: History meets Modernity
So many of the stadiums in the United Kingdom and Ireland are labelled with words such as historic, iconic, oldest, and here are some other labels coming to a stadium and arena near you: high-speed, connectivity and experiential and words that the fans and customers don’t use, but most IT managers might: collaboration, integration and seamless. Strong partnerships are being forged between tech providers and stadiums, and
Mark Weeks Director, UK & Ireland
they are crafting something extraordinary to take stadium experiences to the next level, allowing us to have unforgettable memories in our lives. The future is looking brighter – and more connected – than ever.
arubanetworks.com
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