As The 2018 Ryder Cup gets underway at Le Golf National in Paris on Friday, the iconic match between Europe and the USA is to set a new benchmark in sporting IT infrastructure and connectivity, becoming one of the most connected single sport venues ever courtesy of Official Supplier Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE).

Enhancing the game day experience, the HPE Aruba network technology will help deliver constant and reliable connectivity, to over 270,000 spectators and staff across the week of activities. Combining the ability to track people, players and assets across Le Golf National’s 150 acres, fans will be offered a compelling digital experience through strong and stable Wi-Fi that will allow for real-time updates and location-based services.

HPE Aruba technology will also allow for a rich collection of data to be turned into compelling insight and learnings for key areas such as operational delivery, content syndication and commercial execution. Unlocking the value of this data in real time allows key teams and stakeholders to make more informed decisions during tournament week and into the future.

The HPE solution will be entirely based on the Aruba Mobile First Architecture, which consists of the switching and wireless infrastructure, bolstered by a suite of central management and network security software. It also includes Aruba location services and Analytics Location Engine to enable a rich and data-enabled digital engagement with the spectators, on and off the course.

The enhanced and agile technology infrastructure at The Ryder Cup is part of the European Tour’s commitment to the digital transformation of the sport, with increased opportunities for fan engagement both onsite and through other channels.

The supplier partnership with HPE represents the largest investment ever made by Ryder Cup Europe in a technology platform for a Ryder Cup. Designed to be a modular solution, European Tour will retain the ability to replicate the same technology setup across a number of its calendared events in 2019, helping to standardize technology delivery for top-quality fan experiences.

Michael Cole, Chief Technology Officer of the European Tour, said: “As a major world-class and world-renowned event, it is critical The Ryder Cup embraces the latest technology, empowers fans and delivers a best-in-class experience. We have worked closely with HPE to elevate the digital profile of The Ryder Cup and make our vision a reality.”