Chicago Cubs: Wi-Fi is coming to Wrigley, but still a year away

Most sports venues that you go to will give you that “Wi-Fi network available” on your phone. For the Chicago Cubs, it’s eventually going to happen. The bad news is it’s still about a year away.

If you ‘ve been to a sporting event at any time in the last few years–and then went to a Chicago Cubs game–you’ll know something has been missing. That’s right my friends, Wi-Fi. It’s like the magical little portal of information to your phone. Not to mention a battery saver if you don’t have a strong cell signal. Wrigley Field has been without it, but it’s time is coming. Unfortunately, it’s still about a year away.

The Cubs will partner with Extreme Networks and its partner technology solutions provider PCM Inc. to provide Wi-Fi for Wrigley Field, as well as the neighboring entertainment park. This is all part of the 1060 Project, the five-year, $750 million renovation project of Wrigley and its surrounding area.

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The Cubs new 30,000 square foot clubhouse already has the new Wi-Fi service installed. Now, the rest of the ballpark and surrounding entertainment area are next on the list. The hope by Extreme is that they will have all the access points–over 1,000–installed by the start of the 2018 season.

Extreme and PCM have already worked with several NFL teams to install Wi-Fi in their stadiums. This includes the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens. They also helped provide the Wi-Fi for Super Bowl L1, played earlier this month at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

This is a feature that many Cubs’ fans feel will pull Wrigley Field out of the “old school” and into the 21st century. If you’re attached to your mobile device–which I, of course, am as a writer—you can understand the frustration when you don’t have service. Something as simple as checking the weather becomes–well, impossible. How will I know if it’s going to rain? I can hear some of you saying “look up”–funny group.

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Having Wi-Fi at Wrigley Field will be a welcome addition. Jumbotrons. Wi-Fi. What is this crazy world coming to?