Denver Broncos and Verizon Business enhance stadium operations and fan experiences

Rhea-AI Summary

Verizon (VZ) announced a network upgrade at Empower Field at Mile High on Dec 11, 2025, deploying a Wi‑Fi 6E‑ready Local Area Network with more than 2,400 wireless access points and a dedicated 6GHz frequency backbone to serve the stadium’s 76,125 capacity.

The refresh replaces the legacy Wi‑Fi, uses WPA3 encryption, and is intended to improve fan-facing public Wi‑Fi and back‑office operations (POS, surveillance, ticketing, access control). Verizon previously added 965 antennas for 5G and operates the stadium DAS. Verizon reported $134.0 billion revenue in 2023.

Key Figures

Stadium capacity 76,125 seats Empower Field at Mile High capacity served by upgraded network

Wi-Fi access points 2,400 access points New Wi‑Fi 6E and LAN deployment at Empower Field

5G/LTE antennas 965 antennas LTE and mmWave 5G coverage upgrades ahead of 2023–2024 season

Annual revenue $134.0 billion Verizon 2023 revenues cited in company description

Stadium Wi‑Fi band 6 GHz band Dedicated frequency band for Broncos network backbone

Market Reality Check

$40.89 Last Close

Volume Volume 39,680,624 is 1.53x the 20-day average of 25,860,275, indicating elevated trading interest ahead of this news. high

Technical Shares at $39.92 are trading below the 200-day MA of $42.70, reflecting a longer-term downtrend into this announcement.

Peers on Argus

Peer moves are mixed: CMCSA up 2.6%, while T (-0.69%), AMX (-0.51%), and TMUS (-3.52%) declined, suggesting VZ’s modest -0.55% move was more stock-specific than part of a broad sector trend.

Common Catalyst Several large telecom and connectivity peers also issued general corporate and product news, but no single unifying sector-wide catalyst appears in today’s headlines.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 04	Dividend declaration	Positive	+1.4%	Quarterly dividend of $0.69 per share maintained with long growth streak.
Nov 13	Network partnership	Positive	+0.8%	100G optical ring deployment for Monumental Sports broadcast operations.
Nov 06	Holiday promotions	Positive	+0.3%	Device and home internet holiday offers and sweepstakes for customers.
Nov 06	Marketing campaign	Positive	+0.3%	World Cup 26™ Golden Ticket sweepstakes to deepen customer engagement.
Nov 05	Enterprise solution	Positive	+0.9%	Neutral Host Network powering KPMG’s new Manhattan headquarters.

Pattern Detected

Recent Verizon announcements—ranging from enterprise network deals to promotions and dividends—have typically coincided with modestly positive 24-hour price reactions.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, Verizon highlighted shareholder returns and network-led partnerships. A $0.69 quarterly dividend on Dec 4, 2025 with 19 years of growth saw a 1.45% gain. Business wins with KPMG and Monumental Sports in early November produced smaller positive moves under 1%. Marketing campaigns and sweepstakes news the same week also aligned with mild upticks, framing today’s Broncos stadium announcement within a pattern of network-driven growth stories.

Regulatory & Risk Context

Active S-3 Shelf Registration 2025-08-29

Verizon has an effective Form S-3ASR shelf registration filed on August 29, 2025, identified as a large accelerated filer with a broad menu of potential securities, though no usage has been recorded yet in the provided data.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement underscores Verizon Business’s focus on large-venue connectivity, with a Wi‑Fi 6E-ready network, over 2,400 access points, and a dedicated 6 GHz band serving a 76,125-seat NFL stadium. It complements prior enterprise wins and fits the Connected Venues strategy. Investors may track additional venue deals, utilization of the effective S-3ASR registration, and how these deployments support Verizon’s $134.0 billion 2023 revenue base.

Key Terms

wi-fi 6e technical

"Verizon Business upgrades Empower Field at Mile High to Wi-Fi 6E-ready"

Wi‑Fi 6E is the newest wireless networking standard that extends the latest Wi‑Fi technology into the 6 GHz frequency band, allowing more devices to connect with faster speeds and less interference. Think of it as adding a new, wider highway lane for wireless traffic—this reduces congestion and improves performance for homes, offices, and public spaces. Investors care because broader device support, infrastructure upgrades, and new applications can drive sales for chipmakers, equipment vendors, and service providers.

local area network (lan) technical

"new Wi-Fi 6E and Local Area Network (LAN) installation led by Verizon"

A local area network (LAN) is a private system that links computers, phones and other devices within a limited place like an office, factory or campus so they can share files, printers and internet access. For investors, a LAN matters because it supports day‑to‑day operations, data security and efficiency — weaknesses or upgrades can change costs, operational risk and a company's ability to scale, much like a building’s plumbing affects everything inside.

wpa3 technical

"Using WPA3, a Wi-Fi security standard, for stronger encryption"

Wi‑Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3) is the latest standard for securing wireless networks, like a stronger, harder-to-pick lock for Wi‑Fi connections. It makes it harder for attackers to eavesdrop or guess passwords and adds protections for devices that use weak passwords or connect in public hotspots. Investors care because broader adoption reduces cybersecurity risk, can affect regulatory compliance and product competitiveness, and influences costs, liability exposure, and consumer trust.

millimeter wave (mmwave) technical

"965 antennas that provide a mix of LTE and millimeter wave (mmWave) 5G"

High-frequency radio waves at the top end of the spectrum used for things like 5G mobile service, radar and short-range wireless links; they carry large amounts of data but travel shorter distances and are more easily blocked than lower-frequency signals. Investors care because mmWave enables much faster, lower-latency wireless services and new products, but it also requires denser infrastructure and specialized chips, creating both revenue opportunities and higher deployment costs for telecom, hardware and real-estate-linked businesses.

neutral host distributed antenna system (das) technical

"Verizon also operates Empower Field at Mile High's neutral host distributed antenna system (DAS)."

A neutral host distributed antenna system (DAS) is a shared network of antennas and cabling inside large buildings or outdoor venues that delivers cellular and wireless signals from multiple mobile carriers through a single infrastructure. Think of it as a building-wide utility like shared plumbing or an elevator that multiple providers use instead of each installing their own equipment; investors care because it creates steady, contract-backed revenue, lowers duplication of capital spending, and can increase property value and tenant appeal by ensuring reliable connectivity.

5g technical

"a mix of 5G and advanced technologies to tailor a high-performance"

5G is the fifth generation of wireless technology that provides faster internet connections, lower latency, and greater capacity than previous networks. It enables quicker downloads, smoother streaming, and more reliable connections for devices. For investors, 5G represents a significant upgrade in technology infrastructure that can drive growth in related industries such as smartphones, smart cities, and the Internet of Things.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Verizon Business upgrades Empower Field at Mile High to Wi-Fi 6E-ready network

NEW YORK, Dec. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fans at Empower Field at Mile High, home of the Denver Broncos, can now enjoy a significantly upgraded game-day experience thanks to the new Wi-Fi 6E and Local Area Network (LAN) installation led by Verizon Business. The network refresh includes more than 2,400 wireless access points to deliver connectivity that will help advance the stadium’s operations and improve the overall fan experience and safety.

“At Empower Field at Mile High, we strive for excellence and take pride in creating a mobile-friendly experience for every fan who walks through the gates. Through this collaboration with Verizon, this new Wi-Fi 6E ready network is a team investment into technology that delivers exceptional experiences at every touchpoint year-round,” said Daniel Brusilovsky, CTO, Denver Broncos.

The speed to power exceptional experiences
With this new deployment, fans looking to use the stadium’s public Wi-Fi can enjoy fast and reliable internet access on their devices. Operationally, front and back office teams now have the speed, reliability and performance they need to make sure everything from POS systems to surveillance, crowd management, digital ticketing, sustainability and access control measures run flawlessly.

Verizon completely replaced the stadium’s legacy Wi-Fi network with a best-in-class network and security solution designed to supercharge the 76,125 capacity stadium. Serving both public and private Wi-Fi, the Broncos network backbone uses a dedicated 6GHz frequency band. This exclusive channel makes the network easier for IT to manage and scale and sets the organization up for game-day operational excellence long past the 2024-2025 season. Using WPA3, a Wi-Fi security standard, for stronger encryption and security features means Empower Field at Mile High is able to protect sensitive operations data and support secure communications across the network.

“Our holistic approach to a major venue network transformation uses a mix of 5G and advanced technologies to tailor a high-performance connectivity ecosystem, transforming both front-end and back-office functions,” said Massimo Peselli, CRO, Verizon Business. “This Wi-Fi deployment redefines the stadium experience and creates a foundation for future innovation, helping ensure that the Broncos organization delivers a next-level fan experience.”

Ahead of the 2023-2024 season, Verizon made significant 5G upgrades to enhance Empower Field at Mile High’s high-performance network environment, which included outfitting the stadium with 965 antennas that provide a mix of LTE and millimeter wave (mmWave) 5G coverage. These upgrades allow fans to access the power of 5G from anywhere in the stadium, and in tailgating areas. Verizon also operates Empower Field at Mile High's neutral host distributed antenna system (DAS).

Verizon’s Connected Venues approach brings a mix of public and private network capabilities, a robust technology ecosystem, and 5G partnerships to provide high-performance, reliable connectivity that enables leagues, teams, and stadium operators to redefine the future of sports and venue operations. Learn more about partnering with Verizon for Intelligent Venues.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) powers and empowers how its millions of customers live, work and play, delivering on their demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity and security. Headquartered in New York City, serving countries worldwide and nearly all of the Fortune 500, Verizon generated revenues of $134.0 billion in 2023. Verizon’s world-class team never stops innovating to meet customers where they are today and equip them for the needs of tomorrow. For more, visit verizon.com or find a retail location at verizon.com/stores.

VERIZON’S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media contacts and other resources are available at verizon.com/news. News releases are also available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/.

Media contact: 
Erin Cheever
erin.dowling@verizon.com

FAQ

What did Verizon announce for Empower Field at Mile High on Dec 11, 2025 (VZ)?

Verizon deployed a Wi‑Fi 6E‑ready network with more than 2,400 access points and a dedicated 6GHz backbone to serve the 76,125‑seat stadium.

How will the Verizon (VZ) Wi‑Fi 6E upgrade affect game‑day fan connectivity?

Fans can expect faster, more reliable public Wi‑Fi on personal devices using the new Wi‑Fi 6E deployment and expanded access points.

What operational systems at Empower Field will benefit from Verizon’s VZ network upgrade?

Front and back office systems such as POS, surveillance, crowd management, digital ticketing and access control will gain improved speed and reliability.

What security standard does Verizon’s stadium Wi‑Fi use at Empower Field (VZ)?

The upgraded network uses WPA3 for stronger encryption and enhanced protection of sensitive operations data.

Does Verizon (VZ) provide 5G coverage at Empower Field at Mile High as well?

Yes; Verizon previously installed 965 antennas for LTE and mmWave 5G and operates the stadium’s neutral host DAS.

How does the Verizon (VZ) upgrade position the Broncos stadium for future technology?

The dedicated 6GHz backbone and Wi‑Fi 6E readiness are intended to simplify IT management, scale capacity, and create a foundation for future venue innovations.