In a groundbreaking move that blends tradition with technology, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have become the first program in the nation to deploy outdoor Wi-Fi 6E, dramatically enhancing the fan experience at its historic 80,000-seat venue, Notre Dame Stadium.
Notre Dame Stadium Becomes the First in College Football With Outdoor Wi-Fi 6E
The university partnered with HPE Aruba Networking to roll out the next-generation wireless upgrade at Notre Dame Stadium, famously known as “the house that Knute Rockne built.”
Constructed in 1930, the stadium has long been an iconic symbol of college football heritage, and now it’s a beacon of innovation.
Wi-Fi 6E operates on the new six gigahertz (GHz) spectrum, allowing faster speeds and reduced interference compared to previous standards. According to John Buysse, Notre Dame’s Senior Director of University Network and Telephony Services, the network now supports up to 25 gigabits per second (Gbps), a massive leap from the previous 5 Gbps.
For fans, this translates to seamless connectivity for texting, video calls, real-time stats, mobile ticketing, and posting content on social media, even in packed game-day conditions. The new technology ensures that thousands of simultaneous users can enjoy fast, uninterrupted service, whether they’re streaming live highlights or ordering food on the go.
Notre Dame’s tech-forward approach reflects a broader effort to rethink fan engagement. The school has fully embraced mobile ticketing, grab-and-go concession stands, and even alcohol sales, which are now supported by mobile carts and ordering systems.
In premium seating areas, fans can stream multiple games during live events, and thanks to the Wi-Fi 6E upgrade, latency and buffering are no longer a concern. Notre Dame also tested mobile ordering features that alert fans when their concessions are ready, minimizing wait times and keeping attendees focused on the action.
While the stadium marks the most visible step in this digital transformation, Notre Dame’s long-term goal is to create a wireless-first campus. By next academic year, the university expects 90% of its 13,000 students to use at least one Wi-Fi 6E device, making network reliability and speed more important than ever.
To support this shift, Notre Dame is upgrading its entire network infrastructure, including switches and campus-wide access points, to meet the demands of a connected student body and an increasingly tech-savvy fan base.
RELATED: Experts Explain Why Despite Notre Dame Losing 2 Starters, Irish are Still Title Contenders
Notre Dame Stadium, designed by the same architects behind Yankee Stadium and Comiskey Park, is no stranger to evolution. But this latest upgrade cements its place as a leader in both history and innovation.
With Wi-Fi 6E now live, Notre Dame has set a new standard for what fans should expect, not just from the team on the field but also from the digital experience surrounding it.
The Fighting Irish have always led with tradition. Now, they lead with technology.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
