AVProEdge scores with world's largest SDVoE network for World Cup 2026

2026 FIFA World Cup faver may be gripping the nation, but for AV professionals, what’s happening behind the scenes is almost as exciting.

Consider one of football's most famous venues, which has undergone a technology transformation on a remarkable scale for the event.

Estadio Banorte, known to generations of fans as Estadio Azteca and affectionately referred to as El Coloso de Santa Úrsula, is now home to what AVProEdge believes is the largest SDVoE (Software-Defined Video over Ethernet) video-over-IP network ever deployed.

Built around AVProEdge's MXNet 10G SDVoE ecosystem, the installation comprises a single, stadium-wide AV network capable of distributing synchronised, high-resolution video across hundreds of displays and dozens of video walls throughout the arena.

The project represents a compelling example of how modern AV-over-IP architectures are increasingly being used to solve large-scale content distribution challenges once considered beyond the reach of traditional matrix switching systems.

Opened in 1966 and situated more than 2,200 metres above sea level, Estadio Banorte remains the largest stadium in Latin America and the only venue to have hosted two FIFA World Cup finals. Modernising its AV infrastructure required more than simply adding screens. It required creating a single source of truth capable of delivering perfectly timed video experiences across an enormous venue footprint.

Part of AVPro Global Holdings, AVProEdge has established an enviable reputation in commercial AV through its focus on high-bandwidth signal distribution technologies, including HDMI extension, matrix switching and AV-over-IP.

Its MXNet platform is designed around the principles of low latency, high image fidelity and flexible routing, making it particularly well suited to demanding applications in sports venues, hospitality environments, corporate facilities and control rooms.

Sister brands that will be familiar to Inside CI readers include AudioControl Pro, Bullet Train (HDMI cables), Murideo (test equipment) and ThenAudio (HDMI interface solutions).

At Estadio Banorte, those capabilities were tested at a scale rarely tried. The venue required perfectly synchronised video across more than 500 displays located throughout concourses, hospitality suites, public areas and premium viewing spaces. More than 20 large-format video walls also form part of the deployment. Every endpoint needed access to live match feeds, instant replays, wayfinding information and branded content, all delivered with minimal latency and consistent image quality.

The technical requirements were considerable. Live sports broadcasting leaves little room for delay or image degradation. Video needed to move seamlessly between sources and displays, while maintaining the responsiveness expected in a modern stadium environment. The network also had to provide the flexibility for operators to route any source to any screen while ensuring reliability for events attended by tens of thousands of spectators.

To meet those demands, the project team deployed AVProEdge MXNet 10G SDVoE transceivers behind every display across the venue. At the network core sit MXNet 100G switches supported by MXNet access switches, creating a high-capacity backbone capable of transporting uncompressed or lightly compressed 4K video streams throughout the stadium. Dual MXNet CBOX-HA controllers provide high-availability management, ensuring resilience and continuity in the event of system faults.

The project was delivered through a partnership that brought together several key organisations. Pop Media served as lead integrator and project delivery specialist, while Duoson acted as AVProEdge's distribution partner in Mexico. Polaris Controls provided local brand representation and support throughout the implementation.

One of the most significant aspects of the job took place long before any equipment arrived in Mexico City. According to AVProEdge engineering manager Kevin Wang, the company recreated the entire system within its factory laboratory ahead of deployment. The initial build process occupied the research and development team for seven days, followed by a further 14 days of integration testing by the wider engineering group.

This full-scale pre-deployment validation allowed engineers to test network behaviour, verify system design and identify potential issues before installation began on site. In large venue deployments where commissioning windows can be limited and operational deadlines immovable, such preparation can dramatically reduce risk and accelerate implementation.

The result is a unified video infrastructure capable of supporting one of the most demanding environments in live sport.

The immensity of the project offers a glimpse into the future of large-scale venue technology. Rather than relying on isolated systems serving individual areas, stadium operators are increasingly adopting unified IP-based infrastructures that combine flexibility, scalability and centralised management. At Estadio Banorte, SDVoE technology has been deployed at a scale that demonstrates just how far AV-over-IP has evolved.

To discover what AVProEdge can do for you, visit Inside CI partner Aldous Systems.