Vodafone UK and professional Rugby Union club The Ospreys have announced a landmark agreement to deploy a state-of-the-art 5G Standalone (5G SA) Mobile Private Network (MPN) at St Helen’s Sports Ground in Swansea - the future home of the Ospreys.
The solution is expected to be fully up and running by July 2026, enabling The Ospreys to begin reaping key advantages straight away.
Technology set to power a new era of digital innovation for fans, players and operations, establishing a test bed for innovation.
As part of the redevelopment of St Helen’s, which includes upgrading to an 8,000-capacity stadium, the deployment of Vodafone’s 5G MPN will position the venue among the most technologically advanced rugby stadiums in the UK.
The solution is expected to be fully up and running by July 2026, allowing The Ospreys to begin reaping key advantages straight away. The advanced infrastructure will transform St Helen’s into a live testing ground for companies seeking to trial new devices, equipment and technologies in a high-performance sports environment.
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The agreement builds on Vodafone’s growing track record of enhancing digital infrastructure in sports. Previous projects include the deployment of a 5G MPN at Leicester Tigers’ Welford Road Stadium, as well as enhancements to 5G and 4G connectivity at major venues such as Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wimbledon Tennis Club.
Unlike public mobile networks, a private 5G SA network provides an ultra-fast, low-latency and a highly customisable secure network – offering a powerful platform for innovation across every aspect of the stadium environment.
With Vodafone’s 5G MPN in place, The Ospreys will be able to explore a wide range of transformative use cases, including:
Immersive fan experiences – Augmented and virtual reality features can bring fans closer to the action, with behind-the-scenes content, interactive player stats and real-time insights accessible via mobile devices or smart glasses.
Frictionless services – IoT-powered smart ticketing, digital payments and wayfinding can streamline stadium access, reduce queues and enhance fan safety and comfort.
Enhanced live content – High-definition, multi-angle replays and live in-seat streaming, without buffering, can elevate the in-stadium experience.
Personalised engagement – Real-time data analytics will enable tailored content, offers and notifications, deepening fan loyalty and opening new commercial opportunities.
Coaches and analysts will also benefit from the ability to collect and analyse real-time data from wearables, video feeds and on-field sensors, supporting data-driven decision-making in training, match play and for injury prevention.
The move to St Helen’s marks a significant milestone for The Ospreys, who announced their intention to relocate from the Swansea.com Stadium last year.
Vodafone completes UK-first trial of multiple 5G SA network slices giving fans a glimpse of the future
Multiple professional demands for online connectivity, in a packed stadium, were easily met using the advanced network technology.
Vodafone’s 5G MPN solutions are helping organisations across industries become smarter, more connected, and future-ready, delivering the infrastructure needed for a new era of digital transformation.
For further information on Vodafone’s Mobile Private Network solutions and how these innovative technologies can transform connectivity, enhance operational performance and unlock new opportunities for businesses and organisations, visit the Vodafone website.
Lance Bradley, CEO, Ospreys Rugby
Working with Vodafone to deliver a 5G Standalone Mobile Private Network at St Helen’s marks a huge step forward for Osprey rugby and Welsh sport Our vision for St Helen’s is to create a home for the club that blends history and innovation, with a stadium that: connects our supporters more closely with the team; enhances player performance through technology; and acts as a hub for digital innovation in the region This collaboration ensures St Helen’s will be one of the most advanced connected stadiums in Europe, underpinning everything from immersive fan experiences and seamless matchday operations to cutting-edge performance analytics It’s an exciting glimpse into the future of sport, and we’re proud that the Ospreys and Swansea will be leading the way
Nick Gliddon, CEO, Vodafone Business UK
We are delighted to introduce The Ospreys to the transformative capabilities of 5G Standalone Mobile Private Network technology This initiative goes far beyond simple connectivity – it is about opening up fresh opportunities for enhanced performance, streamlined operations, and deeper fan engagement in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape With 5G SA, we’re enabling ultra-low latency, high-bandwidth connectivity, which can support everything from real-time player analytics and smarter training environments to immersive fan experiences and more efficient stadium operations It’s an exciting step forward in demonstrating how cutting-edge network technology can shape the future of sport – both on and off the field
