Today’s arenas and entertainment venues are expected to deliver frictionless entry, mobile-first payments, real-time operational visibility, and high-performance connectivity for tens of thousands of devices. When those systems don’t work together, lines grow, transactions stall, and experiences break down.
Venues are investing in connected ecosystems—not isolated systems. ScanSource helps partners design solutions that reduce friction, integrate what’s already in place, and create new revenue opportunities from the moment fans arrive.
The connected venue is a growing opportunity
What we support across verticals:
- $25B+ global smart stadium market projected by 2030, driven by demand for connected fan experiences and operational intelligence (MarketsandMarkets)
- 70%+ of fans expect mobile ticketing, contactless payments, and real-time updates as standard—not extras (Deloittee)
- A single venue engagement now spans networking, access control, video surveillance, POS, mobile apps, and analytics
Partners who lead with point solutions get squeezed. Partners who lead with integration strategy own the relationship.
See how convergence works inside the venue
Convergence in Action — Concessions
From bottleneck to flow
Fans arrive and move through entry using mobile tickets and contactless scanning. Security systems validate access instantly while teams monitor real-time video feeds and crowd density.
No backups. No confusion. Just throughput.
Behind that outcome: access control, scanning devices, video analytics, and wireless infrastructure working together.
Convergence in Action — Concessions
Faster lines, higher revenue
A fan orders from a mobile device, pays through a contactless POS, and receives a pickup notification without waiting in line.
Transaction times drop. Per-cap spend increases.
Behind that outcome: mobile apps, payment platforms, POS systems, and network infrastructure operating as one.
Convergence in Action — Operations
Real-time decisions, not guesswork
Venue operators monitor crowd movement, staffing needs, and incident alerts from a centralized dashboard.
Adjustments happen in real time—not after the event.
Behind that outcome: video surveillance, analytics, networking, and cloud platforms integrated from the start.
What we support across arena and entertainment environments
Every deployment is different. A stadium on game day doesn’t operate like a concert venue or a theme park. We help partners understand those differences before they’re in front of the customer.
- High-density wireless networking and private 5G — the foundation every other system runs on
- Video surveillance, analytics, and access control — real-time visibility from entry to exit
- Mobile ticketing, scanning, and entry systems — faster throughput, fewer staff required
- POS, mobile payments, and self-service concessions — higher per-cap spend, shorter lines
- Digital signage and real-time fan engagement platforms — personalized experiences at scale
- Crowd flow analytics and operational intelligence — decisions made in real time, not after the event
What’s next in arena and entertainment technology
AI, biometrics, and mobile-first commerce are reshaping what partners need to scope today—and what they’ll need to lead tomorrow.
- AI-driven crowd analytics that predict congestion before it happens
- Biometric and frictionless entry experiences
- Mobile-first commerce replacing fixed POS
- Digital twins of venues for operational planning and simulation
- Personalized fan engagement powered by real-time data
We’re already helping partners scope for what’s coming—so they’re positioned to lead it, not catch up to it.
What’s next in arena and entertainment technology
AI, biometrics, and mobile-first commerce are reshaping what partners need to scope today—and what they’ll need to lead tomorrow.
AI-driven crowd analytics
that predict congestion before it happens
Biometric and frictionless
entry experiences
Mobile-first commerce
replacing fixed POS
Digital twins of venues
for operational planning and simulation
Personalized fan engagement
powered by real-time data
We’re already helping partners scope for what’s coming—so they’re positioned to lead it, not catch up to it.
Why partners choose ScanSource
Most partners win in this space by moving from product conversations to platform conversations—and from one-time deals to long-term partnerships.
ScanSource brings together:
- Supplier access across networking, security, mobility, and payments
- Solution design support through our Integrated Solutions Group
- Staging and configuration services for deployment-ready systems
- Financing options for large-scale venue investments
- Lifecycle support to extend value beyond the initial install
Ready to scope your next venue project?
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What technology is required to build a connected arena or stadium?
A connected venue requires integrated networking, security, access control, mobile ticketing, payments, and analytics platforms that work together in real time to support fan experience and operations.
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How do partners expand into arena and entertainment solutions?
By leading with outcomes—fan experience, safety, and revenue—rather than individual technologies. ScanSource provides design support and supplier access to help partners build complete solutions.
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Can existing venue infrastructure be upgraded instead of replaced?
Yes. Most projects extend existing systems. The focus is on integration—connecting networking, security, and applications into a unified platform.
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How does ScanSource support partners through a large venue deployment?
From pre-sales design through post-install lifecycle support. Our Integrated Solutions Group helps partners scope, stage, and configure complex multi-vendor environments—so they arrive on-site ready to deliver.