The aim of this investment was simple: consistent, high-capacity connectivity when visitors need it most.

When the gates opened at Christchurch’s One New Zealand Stadium, fans were ready to cheer, share, stream and stay in touch and the mobile network technology was ready too.

With capacity for up to 36,000 visitors, One NZ delivered high-capacity 4G/5G mobile connectivity into the stadium from day one, designed from the start — with equipment integrated into the venue for the surges that come with big games and major concerts.

Across three consecutive match days, the in-stadium mobile network stayed stable under heavy demand, delivering more than 3.4TB of data across 4G and 5G.

What does this mean for mobile users?

Fast posts and uploads, smooth streaming, and reliable messaging, even when the stadium is heaving, whether they’re sending their seat view to mates, checking transport plans after the final whistle, or loading their ticket and wallet at the gate.

The mobile network was built to deliver speeds of more than 1Gbps in the stadium* (based on testing) – the kind of headroom that helps when thousands of people try to post, stream and message at once.

Behind the scenes, One NZ used Nokia radios and Massive MIMO technology (advanced 5G antenna technology) to support multiple layers of 4G and 5G connectivity across the venue. Under peak load, the majority of traffic was carried on 5G, demonstrating the strength of the stadium’s 5G design.

Throughout the opening weekend, both public seating areas and critical back-of-house zones remained well connected, ensuring operational teams and event staff stayed online – showing the network was well-planned for high performance.

Another win for fans: the stadium uses shared mobile infrastructure for Spark, 2degrees and One NZ, helping all networks deliver strong performance in one of the toughest environments for mobile, a packed stadium, without unnecessary duplication of equipment.

By building mobile connectivity into the stadium from day one and designing for real-world peak demand, One NZ helped ensure the stadium opened ready for the moments that matter. The results confirm the stadium’s mobile infrastructure is ready to support major national and international sporting events with confidence.

Planning your next visit? Check out the One New Zealand Stadium line-up: https://onenewzealandstadium.co.nz/whats-on

For more information about One NZ’s coverage, visit https://one.nz/network/coverage/

*Real-world speeds will vary by device, location and demand - especially during major events - but the system has the capacity to support strong performance when it matters most.