The future of the game: Introducing the NHL Innovation Lab powered by Verizon

Technology’s role in sports is accelerating, driven by the need for seamless connectivity and near real-time data to help improve everything from venue operations and broadcast workflows to player performance, safety, officiating and fan engagement.

In partnership with Verizon and the New Jersey Devils, the National Hockey League (NHL) is marking a significant new chapter in sports evolution with the opening of the NHL Innovation Lab powered by Verizon.

Located inside Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, this lab represents the next phase of our long-standing partnership with the National Hockey League. As the Official 5G Partner of the NHL, we are providing the critical technology infrastructure needed to incubate and validate next-generation solutions for on-ice performance, game operations, and fan engagement across the globe.

A Proving Ground for the Next Generation of Hockey

The NHL Innovation Lab is a first-of-its-kind simulated arena environment that will serve as a centralized hub for testing and refining the emerging technologies that will define the future of the League.

I see this lab as a sophisticated, real-world application of the high-performance, reliable, and secure networks that serve as the foundation for the global digital economy—demonstrating how advanced networking technology delivers innovative solutions critical for digital transformation and operational excellence across various sectors.

At Verizon Business, the infrastructure that we provide our customers allows complex technology to function at its peak. For the NHL, that foundation is built upon our Private 5G Wireless Network and Secure Cloud Interconnect (SCI) solutions. By creating a dedicated, high-bandwidth "express lane" for data, we are enabling the NHL to redefine and explore new workflows with unprecedented speed, lower latency, and enhanced security.

Transforming Operations through Connectivity

The NHL Innovation Lab provides the ideal environment to optimize several key technological pillars:

• Near Real-Time Tactical Adjustments: Including enhancing live coach-to-player video access via bench iPads, ensuring that tactical data is delivered securely and instantaneously to help teams make informed decisions mid-game.
• Officiating Excellence: Serving as a scalable platform for future innovation allows potential to offer advanced wireless connectivity for NHL Officials, meaning streamlined communication and accuracy improvements in a fast-paced environment.
• Media and Content Innovation: The lab provides the scale necessary to test 4K and 8K content capture, as well as the integration of AI and machine learning to create more immersive and interactive broadcast experiences.

Network Superiority in Action

Verizon Business is committed to being the partner that helps organizations strengthen their operations—whether that is a Fortune 500 company scaling global connectivity or a professional sports league reinventing the game. This lab is a direct proof point of our leadership in Private Mobile Network Services, where Verizon was recently recognized as a Leader in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for the second consecutive year.

The NHL Innovation Lab is more than a testing facility; it is a testament to the power of partnership and a preview of a more connected, data-driven future for professional sports.

We look forward to the breakthroughs that will emerge from this hub, and we are incredibly proud to serve as the NHL’s partner of choice to strengthen its game and push the boundaries of what’s possible on the ice, in the arena, and for the fans.