Reminder: $45 million network upgrade for Tiger Stadium in 2026

I’ve noticed the ongoing installation of this over the summer.

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The massive network overhaul is primarily a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) which is a system of targeted, strategically placed mini-antennas linked to a central control room through fiber optic cables. A DAS takes your standard carrier network signal (like AT&T 5G) and amplifies it directly over the stadium bowl. It does not require a login, handles handoffs instantly, and prevents the cellular network from crashing when 100,000 people text or stream simultaneously.

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This is an identical system as the one used in the Super Dome. In fact, it’s the same exact technological blueprint.

They’ve erected (heheh) a couple of these “MatSing balls” atop the east and west nose bleeds.

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MatSing ball antennas act like giant flashlight beams splitting a single cell signal into dozens of highly isolated narrow radio frequency beams. They are precisely aligned to shoot cellular signals down into the bowl and across the opposite grandstands. This setup allows AT&T to blanket tens of thousands of fans from a distance without the physical disruption of tearing up concrete to install under-seat WIFI hardware.

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They’ve also been equipping light poles in the south stadium parking lot with those sector antennas you see atop cell towers.



I haven’t been to the Super Dome in a few years, so I don’t know how well this system works in there, but I’d imagine Tiger Stadium will have a similar experience. At the very least, it should help last minute ticket loading/transferring at the gates. (Assuming it’s ready in time)