LAFC Becomes MLS's First Wi-Fi 7 Stadium

Ruckus Networks deployment offers blueprint for enterprise IT leaders tackling connectivity in high-density environments.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The 22,000 fans who pack BMO Stadium for Los Angeles Football Club matches bring multiple connected devices each, creating a wireless environment that would cripple most enterprise networks. To address this challenge, LAFC partnered with Ruckus Networks to deploy Wi-Fi 7 throughout the stadium, becoming the first MLS venue to adopt the next-generation wireless technology.

Why it matters

Modern fans expect seamless connectivity to stream replays, share content, order food, and access digital tickets. When connectivity fails, the entire guest experience degrades, impacting concession revenues, social media engagement, and fan satisfaction. LAFC's Wi-Fi 7 deployment provides a blueprint for enterprise IT leaders facing similar connectivity challenges in high-density environments.

The details

Wi-Fi 7 introduces capabilities designed for ultra-high-density environments, including Multi-Link Operation to dynamically distribute traffic across multiple frequency bands and doubled channel width to 320 MHz. These specifications enable sustained multi-gigabit performance even with tens of thousands of competing devices. Beyond raw speed, Wi-Fi 7's deterministic latency characteristics enable applications like augmented reality overlays and real-time fan engagement features.

  • LAFC announced its partnership with Ruckus Networks in early 2026 to deploy Wi-Fi 7 throughout BMO Stadium.

The players

LAFC

The Los Angeles Football Club, a Major League Soccer team that plays its home games at BMO Stadium.

Ruckus Networks

A subsidiary of CommScope that provides enterprise wireless solutions, including the Wi-Fi 7 deployment at BMO Stadium.

Christian Lau

The chief technical officer of LAFC, who led the club's pursuit of Wi-Fi 7 to address rising device density and fan expectations.

Bart Giordano

The senior vice president and president of Ruckus Networks, who described the LAFC deployment as a validation of the company's stadium strategy.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.