LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – MAY 18: In this handout image provided by LOCOG, Lord Sebastian Coe and boxer David Haye (L) look at a map of the United Kingdom during the launch of a ‘Moment to Shine’ outside Westminister Abbey on May 18, 2011 in London, England. With one year to go until the Olympic Flame arrives in the UK, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) today launches the search for 8,000 Torchbearers to carry the Olympic Flame right across the UK with the start of the LOCOG ‘Moment to Shine’ public nomination campaign. (Photo by Dave Poultney/LOCOG via Getty Images)
After gaining significant traction in a number of stadiums and arenas across the United States, VenueNext has set its eyes upon its next target: Europe.
VenueNext, which integrates technologies such as mobile ticketing, mobile concessions and merchandise, content distribution, and other game-day conveniences, has partnered with Shared Access, a European shared wireless infrastructure company, it was announced.
Shared Access works with venues to design and install shared wireless infrastructure. It has built wireless equipment into over 50,000 sites across the U.K. and Ireland, including traditional towers, building-wide antenna systems, and floodlights with integrated antennas. Most of its work is done in partnership with sports clubs.
“VenueNext has been looking to expand into the European market for over a year,” VenueNext CEO John Paul said in a statement. “Finding the right partner who was able to build on the success we have had in the U.S. was critical — not just being able to develop and install the product, but also a partner with the financial capability to expand and support the solutions once installed.”
VenueNext has fertile ground for expansion in Europe, where soccer is still the dominant sport but basketball and even American football — at least in England — are growing in popularity. Venues such as Emirates Stadium, Wembley Stadium, and Old Trafford have capacities of approximately 61,000, 75,000, and 90,000, respectively.
Paul’s company already has its technology powering the fan experience at numerous NFL and NBA venues: Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco, the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, and the Amway Center in Orlando. Among VenueNext’s other clients are the San Jose Sharks at the SAP Center and Churchill Downs. Perhaps the company’s most prolific recent installation occurred in 2016 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, the site of this season’s Super Bowl LII.
“We see the opportunity to develop the European market in partnership with the innovation of VenueNext as a key strategic step, enabling us to provide revenue and profit improvement for our venue owner and mobile industry partners,” Shared Access CEO Chris Jackman said in a statement.
