RockIT was engaged to manage the network component of this project, following our successful delivery of the SLS Skateboarding tournament and the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race. With extensive experience at the London Stadium, having supported more than 10 events there since the 2012 Olympics, RockIT was a natural fit for the task. Our familiarity with the venue, coupled with our ownership of leased lines provided annually to UK Athletics, gave us an intimate understanding of the stadium’s infrastructure. Many of the key fibre installations were initially deployed by our team.
Once established with the production team, RockIT’s role expanded into a full technical production capacity, overseeing not only the network but also power, audio, IPTV, lighting, and fibre overlay services. This was in addition to meeting the network requirements for Major League Baseball (MLB).
The existing network infrastructure at the London Stadium was insufficient for the event’s needs, necessitating a complete network overlay across all areas. This included coverage for the external warm-up track used for activations, the broadcast compound, back offices, the field of play, bullpens, press benches, team clubhouses, and VIP areas.
To support this extensive overlay, RockIT deployed a dual-redundant core with dual 10Gb links connecting to access switches. These were primarily installed in existing comms rooms, with custom outdoor racks equipped with air conditioning used for exposed locations such as the broadcast compound. Our setup featured 130 access points strategically placed throughout the stadium, along with 160 network switches, including PoE-powered desktop switches for specific requirements.
The broadcast compound and warm-up activation areas required temporary fibre overlays, which we implemented using tactical fibre solutions. In several key areas, including the team video review rooms, we installed new permanent fibre infrastructure to add legacy value for the stadium, enhancing its overall connectivity capabilities for future events.
For the media centre and press benches, RockIT provided around 300 cabled positions in addition to high-density Wi-Fi coverage, a service we have extensive experience delivering. This ensured seamless connectivity for media professionals, who are typically one of the most demanding user groups.
On the field of play, we deployed connectivity for photographer positions along both sides of the diamond, as well as critical communication points such as phones in the team areas for game-related coordination. In addition, real-time PTZ CCTV cameras were installed, with feeds displayed on TV screens in the dugouts, enabling teams to monitor players warming up in the bullpens.
The stadium’s IPTV solution was utilised to deliver live TV channels across the venue. RockIT extended the system to approximately 80 locations, installing additional IPTV set-top boxes and TV screens, all integrated into the overlay network with IGMP snooping and PIM.
