NBA, WNBA and AT&T to install fourth-gen arena networks by 2027

The National Basketball Association, the Women’s National Basketball Association and AT&T are installing fourth-generation High Speed Arena Network infrastructure to handle growing data demands. According to CNET, the upgrade begins with the 2026-27 season and aims to modernize communications equipment across all venues.

The project involves installing more than 68,000 miles of AT&T fiber and completely new networking hardware. This expansion will deliver four times the bandwidth of the existing systems. The official launch of the updated HSAN is set for July 2027, ensuring the leagues can support higher data requirements.

Network Infrastructure and Capacity

Ken DeGennaro, executive vice president of media operations and technology at the NBA, noted that every game requires more video angles and higher quality content. An average game uses approximately 118 streams of high-quality, low-latency data. Most video content returns as uncompressed video at about 250 megabits per second per stream.

These streams support live broadcasts, in-arena content, studio programming and mobile viewing. The data is split for redundancy and resiliency. DeGennaro stated the move shifts from point-to-point networks to a full network, allowing greater reliability and scalability across ingest and distribution channels.

Affected Venues and Timeline

The fourth-gen network installation covers all 30 venues where the NBA operates. The rollout starts with the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, and the Barclays Center in New York City. Other initial sites include the United Center in Chicago, American Airlines Center in Dallas, State Farm Arena in Atlanta and Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

While the physical work involves new server racks and fiber, the scope extends beyond hardware. The leagues are addressing the need for coordination among broadcasters and fans who use multiple devices simultaneously. This includes tracking real-time stats on phones while watching other games on tablets or laptops nearby.

What should you do?

Security professionals at sports venues and large public spaces should monitor for announcements regarding network infrastructure changes. Organizations relying on third-party carriers for critical operations should verify the security protocols of new fiber installations. Reviewing access controls for physical network equipment is essential during these upgrades.

What to do and how to stay safe: NBA

• Audit physical access controls for server racks and fiber termination points in arena environments to prevent tampering during upgrades.
• Verify that the new network architecture includes segmented zones for broadcast data, fan Wi-Fi and operational systems to limit lateral movement.
• Monitor vendor communications for security advisories related to the new networking equipment and firmware versions being deployed.
• Ensure that redundancy and resiliency plans are tested against potential network failures or data breaches during the transition period.

Step-by-step guide: Mobile Device Security: How to Protect Data Beyond Passwords

General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.

Frequently asked questions

When will the new arena network infrastructure be officially launched?

The official launch of the updated HSAN is scheduled for July 2027, with installation work beginning in the 2026-27 season.

Which venues are part of the initial rollout?

The initial installations include the Intuit Dome, Barclays Center, United Center, American Airlines Center, State Farm Arena and Crypto.com Arena.

How much additional bandwidth will the upgrade provide?

The new infrastructure will provide four times the bandwidth of the existing systems, supporting over 118 streams per game.