Brighton & Hove Albion: Enhancing connectivity for fans and staff
Industry
Technology
Challenge
On match days, Brighton & Hove Albion faced significant connectivity issues at the American Express Stadium, with mobile and Wi-Fi networks unable to handle the high demand from both staff and visitors. This created communication barriers that impacted the operational efficiency of the club and disrupted the experience for fans, highlighting an urgent need for a robust connectivity solution to support the club's growth and the expectations of its expanding supporter base.
Results
After implementing enhanced Wi-Fi and a Teams-based VoIP telephone system in partnership with Focus Group, Brighton & Hove Albion achieved reliable, high-capacity connectivity throughout the stadium. Staff and visitors now benefit from uninterrupted access to communications and online services, ensuring smooth club operations and an improved match day experience for everyone attending.
Key Product
Voice, Connectivity
"Focus have successfully reformed our Wi-Fi connectivity which has made a real difference to our staff, players and fans and also provides the club with excellent telecommunications support. The team at Focus are knowledgeable and are always on hand to promptly assist with any problems or queries."
Russell Wood, Head of Commercial
Brighton & Hove Albion
About your Customer
Brighton & Hove Albion is a Premier League football club that has experienced significant growth, moving from the Withdean Stadium to the American Express Stadium and expanding its supporter base.The Challenge
As Brighton & Hove Albion continued to grow, moving from Withdean Stadium to the American Express Stadium and welcoming a larger supporter base, match days quickly became a test for their existing connectivity infrastructure. The sheer volume of people trying to connect led to overloaded mobile and Wi-Fi networks, leaving staff unable to communicate effectively and fans frustrated by unreliable access. This made it clear that the club needed a comprehensive, scalable connectivity solution to maintain a high standard of operations and deliver the experience their supporters expected.
The Solution
Brighton & Hove Albion turned to Focus Group to address these challenges, seeking a partner with expertise in stadium connectivity and telecommunications. Focus Group designed and installed a high-capacity public and corporate Wi-Fi solution alongside a Microsoft Teams-based VoIP telephone system. These solutions were chosen for their ability to support large-scale demand while providing secure, reliable access for both staff and visitors. According to Russell Wood, Head of Commercial at Brighton & Hove Albion: "Focus have successfully reformed our Wi-Fi connectivity which has made a real difference to our staff, players and fans and also provides the club with excellent telecommunications support. The team at Focus are knowledgeable and are always on hand to promptly assist with any problems or queries." The club now has the network infrastructure needed to ensure seamless communication and connectivity on even the busiest days.
The Results
With the new systems in place, Brighton & Hove Albion staff and visitors benefit from uninterrupted connectivity, supporting everything from internal operations to fan engagement on match days. The reliability of the Wi-Fi and VoIP solution has enabled the club to maintain smooth communications, enhance the experience for supporters, and reinforce its reputation as a forward-thinking Premier League club. This improved infrastructure ensures the club can continue to grow with confidence, knowing its technology can meet the demands of both today and the future.
