EE Launches 5G Standalone at Wembley Stadium, Boosting UK Sports Connectivity

EE has deployed the UKโ€™s first 5G Standalone (SA) network at Wembley Stadium, setting a new benchmark for sports venue connectivity. This upgrade delivers faster speeds, ultra-low latency, and enhanced capacity, ensuring seamless live streaming, mobile transactions, and digital fan experiences. As part of EEโ€™s nationwide 5G expansion, this deployment paves the way for smart stadium innovations and next-generation event experiences.
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Wembley Stadium has become the first sports venue in the UK to feature a dedicated 5G standalone (SA) network, following a major upgrade by EE. This development gives Wembley a significant technological edge over other major stadiums like Twickenham, the Principality Stadium, and Wimbledon.


EEโ€™s 5G SA network will make its debut at Wembley during England Womenโ€™s UEFA Nations League match against Spain on February 26, 2025. This launch marks a major milestone in EEโ€™s efforts to enhance mobile connectivity at large-scale events.

Why 5G Standalone Matters for Wembley Stadium

Unlike non-standalone (NSA) 5G, which relies on a 4G core, EEโ€™s 5G SA network is built entirely on a dedicated 5G core. This results in:

  • Faster mobile speeds for seamless streaming, social media sharing, and app usage.
  • Lower latency, enabling near-instant data transmission for real-time applications.
  • Higher capacity, ensuring reliable connectivity even in densely packed stadiums.

With these improvements, fans at Wembley can expect a smoother mobile experience, whether theyโ€™re live-streaming, making video calls, or navigating digital services inside the stadium.

Enhancing the Live Event Experience

EEโ€™s deployment of 5G SA is a crucial step toward transforming Wembley into one of the most connected stadiums in the world. The upgrade will benefit fans attending high-profile events, including the Emirates FA Cup Final and major concerts throughout 2025.

Marc Allera, CEO of EE, highlighted the significance of this advancement: โ€œThe Lionesses have made history with their performances on the pitch, and now weโ€™ve made history off it with the launch of the first 5G standalone network at Wembley Stadium. Whether itโ€™s the Emirates FA Cup Final or one of the hotly anticipated gigs this summer, our cutting-edge mobile connectivity will ensure fans can capture, share, and experience history in new ways under the iconic Wembley arch.โ€

Beyond Fan Experience: Supporting Stadium Operations

While the primary goal of EEโ€™s 5G SA network is to enhance the fan experience, it also has broader applications for Wembleyโ€™s operations. The improved network can support:

  • Retail transactions โ€“ Faster and more secure point-of-sale operations.
  • Broadcasting services โ€“ High-quality, low-latency video streaming for live broadcasts.
  • Future smart stadium applications โ€“ Including AI-powered crowd management, augmented reality (AR) experiences, and enhanced security systems.

As technology evolves, EEโ€™s 5G SA network could enable even more advanced use cases, such as real-time analytics for stadium management and immersive fan experiences powered by AR and VR.

Part of EEโ€™s Nationwide 5G Expansion

The Wembley 5G SA deployment is part of EEโ€™s broader efforts to upgrade connectivity across the UK. Since launching its 5G SA network in September 2024, EE has expanded coverage to more than 21 million peopleโ€”about a third of the UK population.

The companyโ€™s continued investment in standalone 5G is expected to pave the way for improved mobile connectivity in more stadiums, entertainment venues, and public spaces in the coming years. Wembleyโ€™s adoption of 5G SA serves as a model for other venues looking to enhance digital experiences for their visitors.

As EEโ€™s 5G SA network continues to grow, fans and event organizers alike will benefit from a more connected, seamless, and data-driven experience at large-scale events across the UK.


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