6 September 2021

2020 UEFA European Football Championship successfully delivered with NTT infrastructure

Delivery partnership demonstrates NTT’s strong heritage in providing services that support the largest European sporting event

London, United Kingdom, 6 September - NTT Ltd. a world-leading global technology services provider, today officially announced the completion of network overlay services for the 2020 UEFA European Championship, powering UEFA’s entire digital infrastructure throughout the competition.

COVID-19 created significant challenges, including the postponement from 2020 to 2021, but the championship was successfully hosted across 11 cities, which included 51 matches and 31 days of competition.

NTT’s experience supporting major events and ability to deliver and integrate a portfolio of robust services across multiple sites was key to delivery for an event of this complexity. By combining expert consultancy, project management, and the implementation of mission critical digital infrastructure, NTT implemented and supported the event network for the entire tournament, covering all of the key operations at each stadium. Each stadium has required deployment of LAN and WIFI services to cover multiple zones which include hospitality areas, pitch side services, and media hub zones.

Some key facts about the network that was deployed:

• 890 switches
• 1,565 access points
• 87km of fiber optic cable
• 245km of copper cable
• over 170 people involved in the project delivery

“As Europe’s biggest national football competition, we pride ourselves on bringing together the best-in-class technologies, services and partners to keep things running efficiently. With their unique geographical footprint across all host locations across the continent, NTT has provided reliable infrastructure and expertise.” said Daniel Marion, Chief Information Officer for UEFA.

“Given its international nature, Euro 2020 undoubtedly required a partner that can provide consistent and robust infrastructure support”, said Abhijit Dubey, CEO of NTT Ltd. “We’re thrilled that UEFA chose us to support Europe’s most significant sporting event in addition to our successful working partnership in delivering the 2019 UEFA Champions League final in Madrid. NTT Ltd.’s proven intelligent infrastructure services and unique experience with major sporting brands such as the Tour de France, Indycar and Major League Baseball ensured that every single game runs smoothly so fans in every corner of the world can enjoy the action.”

NTT Ltd.’s extensive partner network meant that local, in-country resources were available to implement, run and de-commission solutions – ensuring a consistent design and service across the board. The NTT solution was powered in 11 cities across Europe with Cisco Meraki devices for cloud controlled WIFI routing and network security, and Cisco switches for wired networking, including at pitch-side for every game, to create a custom highly specialized solution based on the needs of UEFA and the huge demands on digital infrastructure in order to support UEFA EURO2020. This allowed UEFA to enable world class connectivity for media, broadcasters, sponsors and VIPs at all stadiums and venues associated with the tournament.

-ENDS-

About UEFA

UEFA – the Union of European Football Associations – is the governing body of European football. It is an association of associations, a representative democracy, and is the umbrella organization for 55 national football associations across Europe. Its objectives are, among others, to deal with all issues relating to European football, to promote football in a spirit of unity, solidarity, peace, understanding and fair play, without any discrimination on the part of politics, race, religion, gender or any other reason, and to safeguard the values of European football. UEFA also promotes and protects ethical standards and good governance in European football, maintains relations with all stakeholders involved in European football, and supports and safeguards its member associations for the well-being of the European game.

About NTT Ltd.

NTT Ltd. is a leading global technology services company. Working with organizations around the world, we achieve business outcomes through intelligent technology solutions. For us, intelligent means data driven, connected, digital and secure. Our global assets and integrated ICT stack capabilities provide unique offerings in cloud-enabling networking, hybrid cloud, data centers, digital transformation, client experience, workplace and cybersecurity. As a global ICT provider, we employ more than 40,000 people in a diverse and dynamic workplace that spans 57 countries, trading in 73 countries and delivering services in over 200 countries and regions. Together we enable the connected future. 

Media Enquiries:
Hotwire for NTT Ltd.
Beth Sissons
T: +44 (0)7824 144 109
E: beth.sissons@hotwireglobal.com