SBJ Tech Week: Boingo and the New York Mets Share Lessons on Transitioning 5G Networks with Confidence

At a glance

What does it take to upgrade a stadium’s wireless network while keeping the fan experience running smoothly? At Sports Business Journal Tech Week 2026, where industry leaders gather to explore the future of venue technology, Boingo Chief Commercial Officer Michael Zeto and New York Mets Senior Vice President of Technology Oscar Fernandez shared how Citi Field pulled off exactly that: a zero-downtime 5G DAS (Distributed Antenna System) and Wi‑Fi upgrade in a live venue environment. Using phased deployment, precision planning and converged network architecture, Boingo and the Mets were able to deliver a scalable, always-on foundation for next-generation fan experiences. 

From legacy limitations to next-generation connectivity 

In today’s digital-first stadium environment, connectivity is the foundation of the fan experience. Mobile ticketing, cashless concessions, real-time stats and back-of-house operations all depend on a network that delivers seamless, high-performance connectivity. 

As fan expectations rise and technologies like AI accelerate digital demand, legacy networks are being pushed to their limits—putting sports and entertainment venues under increasing pressure to modernize their wireless infrastructure. 

That reality was already playing out at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets. Digital demand had outgrown existing wireless infrastructure, creating a critical need for a network upgrade. 

This challenge took center stage at SBJ Tech Week, during the panel “Transitioning Your Network with Confidence: Lessons Learned from Citi Field,” where Boingo CCO Michael Zeto joined New York Mets SVP of Technology Oscar Fernandez to share how Citi Field successfully executed a seamless, zero-downtime 5G DAS and Wi-Fi upgrade in a live stadium environment. 

The conversation delivered a clear playbook for venue leaders: how to modernize wireless infrastructure, maintain always-on connectivity and build a network designed for both today’s demands and future innovation. 

How do you deliver zero downtime during a live stadium network upgrade? 

Citi Field, is a fully connected, always-on environment, featuring: 

• Mobile ticket scanning 

• 100% cashless concessions and point-of-sale systems 

• The Mets Connect app, enabling fan engagement 

• Thousands of digital displays delivering real-time content 

• Back-of-house systems supporting operations, staffing, communications and safety 

Together, these systems form a connected ecosystem the stadium depends on throughout every event. 

Even a brief network disruption can ripple across the entire venue—affecting fan engagement, halting revenue-generating services and introducing risk across critical operational and safety systems. 

The moment you start losing connectivity, it becomes a showstopper—both for the fan experience and for operations.

-Oscar Fernandez, Mets SVP of Technology

For the Mets, this reality raised the bar for execution. The goal was to deliver a seamless, zero-downtime network transition without fans ever noticing.

Achieving that level of continuity required meticulous planning and coordination. Every phase of the deployment was mapped against the stadium calendar, with upgrades carefully phased around games, concerts and daily operations to keep the live experience uninterrupted.

The most important thing is planning. You have to be able to make these upgrades during the season without negatively impacting the fan experience, so timing is key. There are thousands of things happening at Citi Field, and we have to balance all of that as we roll out 5G and Wi-Fi upgrades.

-Oscar Fernandez, Mets SVP of Technology

The takeaway: Confidence in a network transition comes from planning, coordination and execution—not just the technology itself.

How do you future-proof your stadium network as demand continues to grow?

As new use cases emerge—particularly around AI, real-time analytics and next-generation fan engagement—network demands will only continue to accelerate. 

That’s why Citi Field’s transformation was designed with the future in mind: 

• Capacity engineered for peak demand 

• Built-in flexibility to support emerging technologies 

• A scalable foundation designed to evolve  

As Fernandez emphasized during the session, this upgrade is just the beginning of a longer-term journey to continuously evolve the fan experience. 

When evaluating technology partners, we looked for someone who would innovate alongside us—someone willing to take risks and continuously adapt as things change.

-Oscar Fernandez, Mets SVP of Technology

How do converged networks support modern stadium experiences?

One of the most common questions facing venue leaders today is whether to prioritize 5G, Wi-Fi or private networks.

At Citi Field, the answer was not choosing one—it was unifying them.

By designing a converged network, the stadium can support a wide range of use cases—from fan connectivity and mobile services to critical operational systems—without relying on fragmented infrastructure.

This integrated approach:

• Ensures consistent performance across the venue
• Improves reliability during peak demand
• Enables new technologies to be deployed seamlessly as they emerge.

Rather than managing separate networks in silos, Citi Field operates on a converged foundation built to support diverse, high-demand environments.

A Partnership Driving Innovation

The session concluded by recognizing the collaboration behind Citi Field’s transformation.

As Boingo celebrates its 25th anniversary, it is honoring the partners that have shaped its journey delivering connectivity across some of the most complex, high-density environments in the world.

Mike Zeto presented Boingo’s Distinguished Leadership & Innovation Award to the New York Mets, accepted by Oscar Fernandez, recognizing their commitment to innovation and delivering a best-in-class fan experience.

Boingo is proud to partner with the Mets as they continue to innovate and redefine the modern stadium experience.

Is Your Venue Ready for the Future of Connectivity?

For more than 25 years, Boingo has helped venues navigate complex network transformations—delivering the wireless infrastructure that powers next-generation fan experiences.

In high-stakes environments like Major League Baseball venues, reliable, always-on connectivity is critical—and it takes the right partner to design, deploy and manage it. With more than 70 sports and entertainment venues across major leagues and the NCAA, Boingo specializes in zero-downtime network upgrades built for scale.

Are you ready to plan your stadium’s network transition with confidence?