When fans think about the Super Bowl, they think about the spectacle – the precision of the plays, the roar of the crowd, the halftime show, the moments that instantly become history. They don't think about what makes all this possible in real time, on a global scale, without disruption.
And that's the point.
When Super Bowl LX takes place at Levi's Stadium, the organization's headquarters San Francisco 49erswe expect hassle-free. Tens of thousands of fans in the stadium and hundreds of millions around the world will share the same moments – simultaneously, safely and without friction. This level of performance is no accident. This is because data is treated not as an afterthought, but as critical infrastructure.
A season spanning the globe, connected by data
The NFL season doesn't take place in one place. He travels – from global matches on continents to matches watched in almost every corner of the world. Fans engage across broadcasts, mobile apps, social platforms, fantasy leagues and in-stadium experiences, and everyone expects the same immediacy and quality wherever they are.
What connects the entire season – from the first game abroad to the final whistle at Super Bowl LX – is data.
I often think of data as an invisible constant league: always present, always collecting, always connecting. Each game is recorded from multiple angles. Every statistic is recorded. Every cheer, replay, transaction and broadcast becomes part of the NFL's collective memory. This data enables fans to instantly relive moments, analysts to generate real-time insights, and the league to deliver consistent experiences on a massive scale.
From stadium energy to global screens
Super Bowl LX represents the most intense convergence of physical and digital experiences in sports. The data at Levi's Stadium will quietly support everything fans take for granted – real-time replays, mobile engagement, on-site services, secure access and seamless stadium operations. Outside the stadium, the same data will be instantly transmitted to screens around the world, making fans everywhere feel part of the same moment.
This is no small technical challenge.
At NetApp our role is supporting the NFL ecosystem is based on one principle: data must be transferred quickly, protected everywhere and available regardless of demand. Once this foundation is in place, the experience can be scaled without interruption.
Built for intelligence, designed for trust
Much of what defines the modern Super Bowl – from personalized content to advanced analytics – is powered by artificial intelligence. But artificial intelligence doesn't work alone. This depends on high-quality data, available in hybrid environments and protected from disruptions.
This is why intelligent data infrastructure matters. When data is managed consistently across on-premises and cloud environments, organizations can innovate with confidence. Cyber resilience protects systems without slowing down operations. The flexibility of the cloud ensures that data is available where and when it is needed.
These opportunities are not available to any organization or event. For an event like Super Bowl LX, they are essential.
When technology gets out of the way
No fans will arrive Levi Stadium thinking about storage architectures or data pipelines. No one around the world will stop to consider the infrastructure project.
They will think about the match.
This is the true measure of success. When technology takes a backseat and the experience seems effortless, the infrastructure has served its purpose. He turned extraordinary complexity into something simple and human.
Beyond the big game
The Super Bowl is a powerful illustration of what the modern experience demands around the world. Availability always available. Global reach. Trust the data. And the ability to scale instantly without compromise.
When data has a safe home and an intelligent foundation, moments connect. Communities are being formed. And experiences are shared, no matter where you are.
Regardless of which team wins the game on the field, Super Bowl LX will be an example of how organizations across industries – from entertainment to healthcare to finance – must think about data as the foundation of the experience.
That's what the Super Bowl made visible – by keeping infrastructure invisible.
