Revolutionizing the Rink

There may not be another sport that moves at the pace of a National Hockey League (NHL) game. Players fly across the ice for 60 minutes with the goal of putting the puck in the back of the net. Data, analytics, and insights drive not only the game plan on the ice, but also the fan experience and operational efficiency across the arena. As the Official Wi-Fi Analytics Provider of the NHL, Extreme Networks will help to drive performance and upgrade the fan experience in NHL arenas across North America.

How is this digital transformation enhancing the fan experience and changing the way that teams play?

Top Shelf Technology

As the Official Wi-Fi Analytics Provider of the NHL, Extreme Networks’ cloud-managed wireless access points and ExtremeAnalytics software will be deployed across select NHL arenas to increase efficiency and network performance. Beginning in 2022, the infrastructure of Extreme’s Wi-Fi analytics capabilities will play a key role in enhancing the in-arena experience.

Power Play Performance

Extreme will enable teams to proactively monitor and manage network service disruptions - ensuring all Wi-Fi-based services such as mobile ticketing, mobile concessions, and operations are continually optimized for performance. In a sport where the game progresses at a lightning-fast speed, Extreme Wi-Fi 6 Access Points can ensure that the speed of the game is not too fast for the network.

In-Game Insights

The first analytics revolution in hockey focused on providing additional context to traditional statistics like goals and assists. Using ExtremeAnalytics, teams will now be able to lean on analytics to improve the fan experience and increase operational efficiency, taking analytics from the ice to the arena.

Bar-Down Breakdown

The implementation of Extreme’s Wi-Fi Analytics solutions at NHL arenas will enhance how the league attracts fans to the arena, keeps them engaged, deploys staffing across the arena, understands the efficiencies and popularity of concessions, gains insights to fan preferences, and more.

On-the-fly Optimization

As one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, hockey is currently undergoing significant transformation due to the adoption of data and analytics. While the physicality and skill of the game increases, so will the strategy and decision-making. With the fast pace of hockey, arena Wi-Fi systems must match the speed of the gameplay. As the sport uses data to enhance efficiency, insights will be used to change the way that the game is played forever.

Learn more about Extreme’s work with the National Hockey League.

This blog was originally authored by Sam Holland, Sports Marketing Intern.