Business technology major IBM will improve fan experience at Atlanta’s new Mercedes-Benz Stadium when it opens to the public for the first time on August 26.
IBM said the stadium will have integrated IT system, Internet of Things (IoT) technology and applications built by IBM Services, delivered and hosted on the IBM Cloud.
AMB Sports & Entertainment (AMBSE) is working with IBM iX to create contextual, more personalized experience for fans through the delivery of a mobile app experience via the public cloud.
IBM Fan Experience application will serve as fans’ one-stop shop to access a range of services designed to meet the needs of all fans.
Team content will be featured in the app to stay connected to their favorite club. The app will keep fans up to date on news about the team, with access to exclusive articles, inside information, videos, photo galleries, up-to-date player and team statistics, and more.
During games and matches, fans can follow the action live from anywhere with play-by-play updates, integrated, near real-time highlights, and timely notifications on score updates, injuries, and other game and match related information.
There will be more than 12,000 parking spaces for advance purchase through the app. Fans will receive point-to-point directions through an integration with Waze and will be able to enter the lot showing their mobile parking pass.
Transportation to and from Mercedes-Benz Stadium can be made easier by using the mobile app. For fans taking public transit, MARTA maps, route guidance and real time train arrival information have been integrated into the app. Fans using Lyft can view drop off maps and be launched directly into the Lyft app to order a ride.
Information on the stadium experience and game-day assistance will be available via the mobile apps, in real-time via an intelligent concierge feature.
Wayfinding will help fans find any point of interest within the building, find a description about what is available there, view concession menus, order food, and submit reviews of the location.
Mobile Ticketing will make it easy for fans to view, transfer, or sell their tickets within the Falcons app.
“Building the world’s most advanced stadium would not be possible without harnessing the best technology available – working with IBM has allowed us to do that,” said Jared Miller, chief digital officer and senior vice president, Analytics and Technology, AMBSE.
The new technology will include
# Nearly 4,000 miles of fiber optics and 90 miles of audio cabling
# Nearly 2,000 wireless access points to ensure WiFi connectivity – equivalent to 282,000 square feet of outdoor coverage, or the area of almost five football fields
# Deployment of the distribution network to theoretically download all 61 Game of Thrones episodes, in 4K ultra HD quality, in 46 seconds
IBM also gives IoT technology a major role in operations at the stadium focusing on features such as lighting throughout the building; the deployment of an IPTV system throughout the stadium enabling TV broadcast and messaging to fans; security camera system, as well as the audio that will be enabled by a converged network of connected speakers that can be operationally targeted to specific areas.
“Our goal was to truly redefine the game-day and event experience, and in the process, reset the bar for sports and entertainment venues everywhere,” said Philip Guido, general manager, IBM Global Technology Services.
