- More than 250k fans are expected on-site next year
- Aruba network kit and HPE GreenLake platform will power critical applications
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) will reprise its role as an official technology supplier to the Ryder Cup for the 2023 event in Rome, delivering intelligent network infrastructure that will underpin fan-facing and backend applications.
The tech giant was a partner for the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in Paris, integrating wired and wireless networking technologies with cloud-based management capabilities to create what it calls a ‘connected course’.
The challenge for HPE at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club will largely be the same in that it must build a technological foundation to support 250,000 on-site spectators, tens of millions of television viewers, and staff at a site that typically hosts dozens of people.
The temporary infrastructure will support fan services such as e-ticketing, travel information, scoring, digital content, player locations and on-site navigation, while supporting the Ryder Cup’s commercial partners with insights into fan behavior and context-driven marketing.
Data harvested by the network will allow organizers to monitor crowd levels to optimize foot traffic, maintain staffing levels and reduce queues. The use of high performance wireless technology will reduce the need for physical cabling at a venue which is an area of special archaeological interest.
“We have a bold ambition to create one of the most intelligent, immersive and sustainable temporary-constructed sporting venues in the world,” said Michael Cole, chief technology officer of the European Tour group.
“We look forward to working together with HPE to unlock the value of data to provide a level of spectator engagement never before witnessed at a sporting event.”
HPE will use physical equipment from its Aruba division, which supported the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and pair it with cloud-based innovations from the wider business.
This includes the HPE GreenLake edge-to-cloud platform, which the company says will accelerate deployment, reduce costs, and gather valuable data for optimization and automation. HPE adds that without the use of scalable, software-driven technology, it would be much more difficult to deliver a high-performance, secure network environment at a temporary venue and support key applications.
“Capturing, analyzing and extracting value from data in real-time is fundamental to delivering the immersive experience that sports fans today demand,” said Jim Jackson, HPE chief marketing officer.
“Our partnership with the 2023 Ryder Cup will be a great showcase for our edge-to-cloud portfolio and our ability to deliver best-in-class data services and connectivity as a service, with the HPE GreenLake platform. We’ll be providing a new level of intelligent connectivity for fans, opening up new ways to follow the matches in play, navigate the golf course, and access hospitality and retail offerings with the shortest queues.”
SportsPro says…
Networking isn’t the most glamorous area of sport’s digital transformation. Switches, routers and dashboards aren’t quite as exciting as augmented reality (AR), checkout-less retail and mobile ordering. But none of these applications run without a robust, secure and highly capable network. Everything from the official app to scoring and timing is now reliant on this infrastructure.
More than that, as networks become more advanced, they are an increasingly valuable source of data themselves. Edge computing and integrated intelligence means organizers and venue operators can understand more about fans and make on-the-fly decisions. The network can even make adjustments itself.
Smart stadiums are a product of these developments. It’s why modern arenas like the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium included a futureproof network fabric at an early stage of construction and why even temporary venues like golf courses invest so much time, effort and money into getting it right.