Real Madrid extends its alliance with Cisco as official technology partner
This agreement will incorporate more advanced technology at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium and significant improvements at Real Madrid City.
Real Madrid and Cisco have extended their multi-year global partnership and reaffirmed the world's leading networking and security company as one of the club's official technology partners. This agreement will incorporate Cisco's advanced technology at the Santiago Bernabéu and significant enhancements to Real Madrid City. The renewal act took place at the Bernabéu Stadium and was attended by Alex Wicks, CEO of Real Madrid Estadio, Andreu Vilamitjana, General Manager of Cisco Spain and Portugal: Agostino Santoni, Senior Vice President EMEA South.
The alliance will be focused on cutting-edge technology upgrades, including:
-The creation of a scalable, high-performance, AI-ready data centre at Real Madrid City, which will boost the club's energy efficiency measures and enable new AI workloads to be integrated alongside traditional ones.
-Cisco Wi-Fi 7 around Real Madrid City, a next-generation wireless standard that offers faster speeds, lower latency and seamless connectivity for fans and employees.
-The deployment of a robust 100 Gbps network infrastructure connecting the Santiago Bernabéu stadium to Real Madrid City. Powered by Cisco's Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI), the network will provide simple and secure management, rapid deployment of new services and increased digital resilience across the club's digital network.
Leading innovation in sport technology
Cisco solutions have served as the technology foundation of the Santiago Bernabéu stadium for nearly two decades, including a comprehensive renovation completed in 2024 that made it the standard-bearer for innovation and fan experience. The renovation involved the implementation of a comprehensive portfolio of Cisco solutions, including a single, converged Software Defined Access (SDA) network, the first of its kind in a European stadium. This ensures fast and secure operations by connecting all Bernabéu assets. Additionally, Cisco's cloud-based IP Fabric for Media solution is being used to efficiently produce and distribute content to more than 2,500 screens throughout the venue in real time and to millions of fans following the action via broadcasts around the world.
Vilamitjana: “The Bernabéu will once again be a pioneer in delivering immersive, sustainable and cost-effective interactions”
Andreu Vilamitjana, CEO of Cisco Spain and Portugal, said about the agreement: “Networks are at the heart of digitalisation, which is transforming all sectors, including sport and entertainment. Three years ago, the new Bernabéu stadium set a global benchmark in converged connectivity thanks to Cisco technology. Now, it will once again be a pioneer in delivering immersive, sustainable and cost-effective interactions.”
Agostino Santoni, senior vice president of EMEA South, said: “Technology has the power to transform the fan experience, and Real Madrid is marking a new milestone in innovation in sports, entertainment and culture. By leveraging Cisco's expertise, it is not only reinventing sport for fans, but also enriching the experience of hundreds of thousands of visitors to the stadium.”