Eurovision Song Contest 2023: Creating a network for the most viewed music television event of the year
In what was one of the largest single events in our history, Max WiFi were contracted to provide network services for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 hosted at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. As an events supplier since the early 2000s, this major televised event viewed by over 162 million, was one of the most challenging and complex temporary networks we have ever installed.
This large scale deployment required meticulous planning and coordination with the organisers, the venue and other partners to ensure a clean delivery. Max WiFi have deployed thousands of temporary networks in our time but we would have to rely on all of our experience to create a network that was efficient, reliable and most importantly secure.
We faced challenges including extremely tight cybersecurity, complex physical installation, supporting a huge number of WiFi users, multi-WAN management and millions of eyes of the broadcast.
Ultimately Max WiFi provided:
- WiFi to over 7000 users
- Peak throughout of 5Gbps
- 400+ hard wired connections to concurrent media users
- The internet feed for the live television broadcast
- A captive portal security login system
- 6 Network Engineers for live support across the venue
Here’s how we did it…
How do you plan a temporary network for a major event?
Network Design
The comprehensive planning process, initiated six months prior to the live Eurovision shows, involved a series of crucial steps that cater to the unique demands of the occasion. Consultation with the event venue serves as a starting point, involving an audit of the existing wireless infrastructure to determine the additional equipment necessary to accommodate heightened demand. An essential component of this process involves conducting a thorough Radio Frequency (RF) survey to assess the RF environment, factoring these findings into the overarching network design. Simultaneously, close collaborations are forged with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to ascertain and arrange Wide Area Network (WAN) requirements, ensuring adequate bandwidth, security and redundancy to cater to the anticipated user load. This resulted in six fibre internet connections and three Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite connections.
Consultations
Integral to the planning process is a series of consultations and planning meetings with all stakeholders. These engagements encompass event organisers, technical consultants, venue representatives, broadcast teams and media teams. The goal is to comprehensively collate all requirements and intricacies, finding compromises and identifying possible vulnerabilities while allowing for the design of a tailored network that effectively meets the multifaceted needs of the event. Without effective communication and collaborative plans, the decline in efficiency would severely affect the event experience for all stakeholders.
Physical Infrastructure
Physical infrastructure considerations play a pivotal role as well. Our accomplished cable and fibre engineers conducted feasibility studies to assess the practicality of installing network infrastructure across the entire venue. They were also responsible for identifying specific areas that require temporary equipment deployment, encompassing external zones like the temporary broadcast compound and high-profile event spaces such as the Turquoise Carpet.
Security Considerations
Given the significant public and geopolitical implications surrounding the event, cybersecurity emerges as a paramount consideration. Rigorous measures were implemented to ensure the network’s resilience against potential threats, thus safeguarding both sensitive data and the overall success of the event. Consultations with external cybersecurity professionals identified areas and tactics to strengthen our defences.
The culmination of these efforts results in a meticulously designed and orchestrated network that guarantees seamless connectivity and optimal performance throughout Eurovision 2023.
How do you install a temporary network for a major event?
Leveraging insights gleaned from RF surveys, we strategically identified areas requiring additional wireless coverage. Working in close partnership with the venue, the team installed hardware to optimise signal strength and coverage.
With the task of transforming the event venue to meet the high demands of an event like the Eurovision Song Contest, we initiated the network installation phase two months prior to the event. This proactive approach allowed for the seamless integration of added capabilities into the venue, enabling it to cater to the diverse connectivity requirements of the event. Despite the challenges posed by other concurrent events hosted at the venue, Max WiFi displayed exceptional synergy by installing the network while respecting ongoing activities. Effective coordination with other contractors and suppliers working simultaneously on-site showcased a situation where managing complex logistical scenarios was vital for meeting deadlines.
This network design included the installation of over 15km of temporary Cat5e cable integrated with the venue’s existing infrastructure. In addition to this, multiple temporary fibre runs connected key locations throughout the M&S Bank Arena. Over 50 Cisco network switches and more than 100 Netgear switches were positioned to cater for diverse connectivity needs. Notably, the management of over 400 hardwired connections within the media compound is an example of the technical pressure of a high demand area.
How to secure an event network
In safeguarding the network of Eurovision against a spectrum of cyber threats, Max WiFi prioritised high tech cyber security features to ensure the network’s integrity and resilience. This importance was elevated by the sensitive geopolitical context at the time, emphasising the need for a proactive stance. Our approach encompassed multifaceted measures designed to tackle threats at both the pre-planning stage and during live operations.
Cybersecurity Planning
Pre-planning stages saw the implementation of comprehensive security features on the firewall, aimed at establishing robust network defences. Recognising the potential risks, we subjected the network to rigorous scrutiny, including constant penetration testing by cyber security experts and ethical hackers. In addition, the network underwent meticulous auditing by these same specialists, a process that proved faultless. A continuous vulnerability scanning protocol was maintained throughout the entire process, ensuring real-time threat detection and response.
Network Access
To manage network access, we employed a sophisticated login management system, leveraging a captive portal to authenticate all WiFi users. This entry point mechanism ensured that only known and trusted users gained access. For devices incompatible with the login page, such as printers and scanners, we implemented a secure MAC address bypass process. Cybersecurity training enhanced our planning, equipping them to identify and eliminate potential weak points on the network, bolstering network resilience against threats such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, malicious unauthorised access, and phishing.
Security Monitoring
During the live shows themselves, the network remained under persistent attack from numerous hacking attempts. However, our robust firewall successfully repelled all these attempts, leaving no room for successful network penetrations. This live demonstration of the firewall’s efficiency and the comprehensive cyber security measures ultimately created a secure and uninterrupted network experience for Eurovision. Overall, a multi-layered approach, extensive pre-planning and training, and real-time threat response, reflects a dedication to upholding the highest standards of successful cybersecurity within the context of a major event like Eurovision.
How do you manage over 7000 WiFi users at a major event?
Optimally managing a staggering 7000 WiFi users at a major event such as the Eurovision Song Contest, is far from simple. The planning and design of the network was ultimately put to the test when tasked with accommodating over 4000 simultaneous users during the live show. With peak throughput reaching an impressive 5Gbps, the WiFi network played a pivotal role in connecting diverse stakeholders, including event organisers, production crew, media teams, delegates, caterers, traders, and system controls.
To enable efficient live management of network, we implemented features and strategies including:
- Real-Time Network Monitoring: To ensure continuous connectivity and rapid issue resolution, live monitoring and support play a pivotal role. Inter-mapper software tracked hardware status in real time, bolstering network reliability.
- On-Site Engineers: The presence of six network engineers positioned in key locations throughout the venue allowed network users rapid access for troubleshooting.
- Effective Communication/Escalation: Installing a communication system based on positive relationships with key personal was a huge factor in successful communication. Backed by a project manager and senior network technician in the network operations centre, an escalation process also ensured that any challenges were met with well-coordinated solutions.
- Extended Engineer Availability: On-site engineers were available for over 16 hours a day during live shows, displaying a commitment to network integrity in crucial moments.
- Reliability in Power: All equipment was operated on uninterrupted power supplies, safeguarding uptime in the event of any power fluctuations.
What did we learn from Eurovision?
Eurovision 2023 was a huge achievement for Max WiFi. This was a successful design, installation and management of the most vital network we have ever deployed.
“Thank you team Max WiFi, you were nothing but brilliant. The planning was meticulous, the approach and attitude was superb and the delivery was flawless”
– James Bonnar, Technical Producer Eurovision Song Contest 2023
We learnt many lessons from this incredible event. There are three standout lessons that Max WiFi will be taking forwards to further solidify ourselves as an expert provider of event WiFi solutions:
- Proactive Cybersecurity is Paramount: The Eurovision Song Contest project highlighted the critical importance of prioritising cybersecurity from the inception of network planning. The comprehensive cybersecurity measures implemented, including penetration testing, auditing, and vulnerability scanning, established a formidable defence against a range of cyber risks. The training and experience we received has elevated our engineers to a higher level of competence and understanding of the range of cyber attacks on major events. This experience has shown us that a proactive approach to cybersecurity isn’t just a necessity but an integral element of event planning that ensures data integrity, network resilience, and the overall success of an event.
- Meticulous Planning Ensures Seamless Execution: The intricate network setup for the Eurovision Song Contest emphasised the role of intelligent planning. Months in advance, we embarked on comprehensive planning, involving audits, RF surveys, and detailed consultations with associated partners and suppliers. This planning process not only informed hardware selection and network design requirements but also ensured effective coordination with the venue’s ongoing activities and other service providers. This experience further highlighted to us that thorough planning and collaboration serves as the backbone of successful event WiFi management, ensuring that a network can withstand high demands while smoothly integrating with existing systems, people and physical infrastructure.
- Partner Collaboration: Collaboration between all partners emerged as a core responsibility during the Eurovision project. Effective communication with the venue, technical consultants, organisers, suppliers and other contractors was pivotal in providing a seamless network experience. This experience further highlighted to us that thorough planning and collaboration serves as the backbone of successful event WiFi management, ensuring that a network provider like us can integrate with existing systems, people and the venue. The relationships built between our team and the other stakeholders allowed us to work very efficiently and deliver to the best of our standards.
Absolute uninterrupted connectivity is never guaranteed but with the high levels of technology, security and redundancy implemented by Max WiFi and with the help from our partners, we showcased an unrivalled event network experience at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.
As our Director, Richard Hughes, wrote in his blog post,
“We were successful and the night was flawless.
We’ve had a blast, learnt a lot and met some great people in a great city.
I’m immensely proud to have led this team and it will remain as my top personal achievement in my working life.”

Rich and James from the Max WiFi team making the credits on the broadcast of the Grand Final!