NFL Season Kicks Off With Peek at Verizon 5G in 13 Stadiums

Sports venues are early priority for promoting new technology
League seeks deeper engagement with fans in and out of stadium

Soldier Field in Chicago.
Photographer: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

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By Scott Moritz and Scott Soshnick

September 5, 2019 at 10:00 AM UTC

Updated on

September 5, 2019 at 4:44 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

When the Green Bay Packers meet their conference rivals the Chicago Bears Thursday to open the pro football season, Verizon Communications Inc. Chief Executive Officer Hans Vestberg will be there, too, monitoring the kickoff of 5G wireless service.

Chicago’s Soldier Field is one of 13 stadiums that Verizon has outfitted with the world’s most advanced -- and hyped -- communications. AT&T Inc., which is also building a new network for its wireless customers, is getting into the game, too, with 5G at the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium.