Wembley Stadium has made history as the first sports venue in the UK to have its own dedicated 5G standalone (SA) network, following an upgrade by mobile network operator EE. This advancement places Wembley ahead of other major UK sporting venues such as Twickenham, the Principality Stadium, and Wimbledon in terms of mobile connectivity, offering fans and event-goers an enhanced digital experience.
Marc Allera, CEO of EE, highlighted the significance of this milestone, stating, “The Lionesses have made history with their ground-breaking performances on the pitch, and now we’ve made history off it with the launch of the first 5G standalone network at Wembley Stadium.” He further added, “Whether it’s the Emirates FA Cup Final or one of the highly 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 in 2025.”
Unlike non-standalone (NSA) 5G, which operates using a combination of 5G radio access network (RAN) technology with a 4G core, 5G SA runs on a dedicated 5G core. This enables significantly faster speeds, reduced latency, and greater capacity, making it more efficient at handling large amounts of data. Additionally, 5G SA supports advanced use cases such as real-time streaming, seamless connectivity in crowded environments, and improved overall network performance.
Beyond enhancing the fan experience, EE’s 5G standalone network could also bolster Wembley’s operational capabilities, including retail transactions, broadcasting services, and other venue management functions. The potential for future innovations powered by this network further strengthens Wembley’s position as a leading global sports and entertainment venue.
Since launching its 5G standalone network in September 2024, EE has expanded its reach to over 21 million people, covering nearly a third of the UK population, demonstrating its commitment to advancing next-generation connectivity nationwide.
