From Friday Night Lights to the Pros: Structured Cabling is the Unsung MVP of the Stadium

Structured Cabling is the Unsung MVP at Every Arena and Stadium

From Friday Night Lights to the Pros: Structured Cabling is the Unsung MVP of the Stadium

When people walk into a sports stadium, they notice the video board, the lights, and the roar of the crowd. What they don’t see is the structured cabling network that makes the security, access control, audio/visual, and wireless systems actually work. Without that backbone, even the most advanced technology falls flat.

This is especially relevant as construction begins on a new professional soccer stadium in Mauldin, just outside Greenville, South Carolina, which will host the Greenville Triumph and Greenville Liberty teams. Projects like this highlight how important it is for general contractors and facility managers across the Southeast to think about the cabling plan early. Whether it is a brand-new venue in Greenville, a college field in Charleston, or a high school complex in Myrtle Beach or Winston-Salem, the structured cabling design and the low voltage cabling company you choose, such as GenX Security Solutions, will decide how reliable and scalable the security system really is.

Access Control for Stadiums

Why Cabling Matters More Than Most People Think

Structured cabling is the nervous system of a stadium. Every device that keeps people safe or connected depends on it. If the cabling is undersized or poorly installed, the entire operation suffers. A strong design, on the other hand, creates a foundation that can support current needs and adapt to future upgrades.

Some real-world numbers to consider:

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia required nearly 4,000 miles of fiber optic cabling, 90 miles of audio cabling, and almost 2,000 wireless access points to connect its systems. This scale shows how critical planning is for pro-level venues.

• Even mid-size college stadiums, like those in North Carolina and South Carolina, often need dozens of network closets and hundreds of access points to keep fans and staff connected.

• At the high school level, just a few strategically placed fiber runs can make the difference between a working camera system and blind spots that put safety at risk.

Security Sensors for Sports Stadiums

Scaling Cabling Solutions by Stadium Size

The size and type of stadium determine how much cabling is needed, where it should run, and how systems will be supported. Larger venues require more bandwidth and redundancy, while smaller venues need cost-effective designs that cover essential areas without overbuilding.

Large Professional Stadiums

At the pro level, such as the upcoming stadiums must handle tens of thousands of fans, hundreds of staff, and thousands of connected devices. The cabling infrastructure must be robust enough to support massive bandwidth demands while leaving room for growth.

• Fiber backbone is non-negotiable. Thousands of devices need bandwidth and redundancy.

• Plan separate conduits for data and power to prevent interference.

• Every seat section should connect to a local network closet to reduce cable lengths and simplify troubleshooting.

Cabling Planning for Large Stadiums

Mid-Sized College or Community Stadium Structured Cabling

For mid-sized venues, the goal is balancing advanced features with budget limitations. These stadiums need strong connectivity at critical points while keeping costs manageable. In the Carolinas and Georgia, this often means outfitting growing college football programs or city-owned soccer complexes.

• Focus on main entry gates, parking lots, and the press box. Fiber should connect those areas, with Cat6 or Cat6A branching out to cameras, access points, and scoreboards.

• Budget constraints mean prioritizing. Many managers install cameras and access control first, then expand Wi-Fi and digital signage in later phases.

• Consider scalability. Laying extra strands of fiber during an upgrade costs little now but avoids re-pulling later.

Cabling for Medium Size Stadiums

High School Stadium Structured Cabling

High school stadiums across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia are often simpler, but they still benefit from a reliable cabling design. Even a modest setup can dramatically improve security and communication for events.

• Start with the essentials: one or two fiber lines from the school’s main network to the stadium press box or concession stand.

• Use Cat6A cabling for cameras, electronic locks, and wireless access points around the gates and bleachers.

• Keep it simple and secure. For example, a three-camera setup at entrances and parking areas, plus electronic locks on the press box, goes a long way toward safety.

Wireless Access Points for Community Stadiums

Practical Advice for General Contractors and Facility Managers

No matter the size of the project, careful planning can make or break the success of a stadium upgrade or new build. Cabling decisions affect not just today’s systems but also tomorrow’s expansions. Thinking ahead avoids downtime and saves money over the long term. This is especially true in fast-growing areas like Greenville, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Winston-Salem, where new construction and renovations are accelerating.

• Plan early. In new construction, get cabling pathways drawn before concrete is poured. In retrofits, schedule upgrades in the off-season.

• Think about the environment. Outdoor cabling must handle heat, rain, and UV exposure. Indoor cabling may require plenum-rated jackets for fire code compliance.

• Design for growth. Every stadium, from Friday night games to pro arenas, will eventually add more devices. Extra conduit and spare fiber are cheap insurance.

• Integrate, don’t isolate. Cameras, access control, Wi-Fi, and A/V should all ride the same structured cabling plan, managed through one coordinated system.

Surveillance Systems for Stadiums

Choosing the Best Structured Cabling Company for Your Stadium

From the pros in Greenville to high school games in Myrtle Beach or Charleston, the lights and speakers get the attention, but structured cabling makes it all possible. A well-planned cabling infrastructure ensures every security camera, lock, and wireless access point works when it matters most. General contractors and facility managers who choose the best structured cabling companies to build the backbone of their stadiums safer, smarter, and ready for the future wil have the best results.

When choosing the best structured cabling company, contractors and facility managers should look for a partner with proven expertise, regional presence, and the ability to meet both current and future technology needs. The right company will be licensed, code-compliant, and experienced in designing networks that support security cameras, access control, wireless access points, and professional A/V systems on a scalable backbone.

GenX Security Solutions stands out as the leading choice in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia because of its deep knowledge of local codes, extensive experience across industries, and reputation for delivering turnkey low-voltage infrastructure projects. From new stadium builds to complex retrofits, GenX Security provides precision installation, BICSI standards compliance, and future-ready designs that keep security and IT systems running seamlessly. Contact us to learn more!

866-598-4369

Sales Contacts for GenX Security Solutions in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia

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With custom security integration solutions come custom quotes designed for your needs. Please contact us by clicking here or calling 866-598-4369.

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At GenX Security Solutions, we proudly serve businesses in all locations across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia with cutting-edge commercial security systems, access control solutions, structured cabling, fire alarms, and professional audio/visual integration. From bustling cities like Greenville and Raleigh to growing industrial hubs like Winston-Salem to hospitality hot spots like Myrtle Beach, our team delivers tailored solutions to meet your business’s unique needs.

Please visit our state-specific pages for more information on our services in various industries. We serve all cities in the Upstate and surrounding, including:

SOUTH CAROLINA	NORTH CAROLINA	GEORGIA
Aiken, SC	Asheville, NC	Alpharetta, GA
Anderson, SC	Burlington, NC	Athens, GA
Beaufort, SC	Cary, NC	Atlanta, GA
Charleston, SC	Chapel Hill, NC	Augusta, GA
Columbia, SC	Charlotte, NC	Carrollton, GA
Florence, SC	Concord, NC	Columbus, GA
Goose Creek, SC	Durham, NC	Dalton, GA
Greenville, SC	Fayetteville, NC	Douglasville, GA
Greenwood, SC	Gastonia, NC	Gainesville, GA
Greer, SC	Goldsboro, NC	Hinesville, GA
Hilton Head Island, SC	Greensboro, NC	Macon, GA
Lexington, SC	Hickory, NC	Marietta, GA
Mount Pleasant, SC	High Point, NC	Newnan, GA
Myrtle Beach, SC	Jacksonville, NC	Peachtree City, GA
North Charleston, SC	Kannapolis, NC	Rome, GA
Orangeburg, SC	Raleigh, NC	Roswell, GA
Piedmont, SC	Rocky Mount, NC	Sandy Springs, GA
Rock Hill, SC	Wilmington, NC	Savannah, GA
Spartanburg, SC	Wilson, NC	Valdosta, GA
Summerville, SC	Winston-Salem, NC	Warner Robins, GA