Levi’s Stadium underwent a sweeping technological overhaul ahead of Super Bowl LX, as the National Football League and the San Francisco 49ers implemented a major cybersecurity and Wi-Fi upgrade to prepare the venue for one of the world’s most watched sporting events.
The upgrade process began more than a year ago and involved laying miles of fibre-optic cable, installing hundreds of wireless access points and strengthening digital defences to protect against potential cyber threats. With nearly 65,000 fans expected inside the stadium, officials aimed to ensure seamless connectivity and robust security throughout the event.
AI-Driven Cybersecurity Takes Centre Stage
A central part of the Super Bowl LX cybersecurity and Wi-Fi upgrade was the creation of a temporary cyber command centre inside the stadium. Staffed by the NFL’s dedicated cybersecurity team, the centre continuously monitors network traffic and works to detect and intercept malicious activity in real time.
NFL Senior Director of Cybersecurity George Griesler compared the environment to a crowded public space, noting that threat actors often look for opportunities in high-traffic settings. This year, however, teams are especially alert to attacks powered by artificial intelligence, which officials say have become more sophisticated and prevalent.
49ers Executive Vice President and Head of Technology Costa Kladianos said AI-enabled threats have escalated significantly, making this year’s security posture more critical than in previous Super Bowls.
Wi-Fi 7 Network Built for Heavy Data Use
The Super Bowl LX cybersecurity and Wi-Fi upgrade also focused heavily on connectivity. Fans are expected to generate vast amounts of data through social media posts, livestreams and video uploads during the game.
To meet demand, Cisco installed nearly 1,500 Wi-Fi 7 routers across the stadium. The latest standard offers faster speeds and improved reliability, effectively expanding network capacity in a way likened to adding extra lanes on a congested motorway.
According to the 49ers’ technology team, spectators could upload more than 35 terabytes of data during the event, with the goal being to replicate the experience of a high-quality home internet connection.
New Data Centre Powers Stadium Upgrades
Supporting the Super Bowl LX cybersecurity and Wi-Fi upgrade is a newly built data centre at Levi’s Stadium, part of a $200 million modernisation completed last year. The stadium now hosts three data centres, including two on site.
The latest facility provides the computing power needed to operate the NFL’s largest 4K videoboard, along with dozens of additional digital displays. Located in Santa Clara, where energy costs are relatively low, the data centre ensures the stadium can handle the immense technical demands of Super Bowl LX without disruption.