Verizon’s 5G service will kick off in 13 NFL stadiums this season

When the Chicago Bears play the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night, it won’t just kick off the 2019 NFL season. It will also introduce NFL fans at 13 stadiums to Verizon’s highly anticipated 5G service. 

Not all of the following stadiums are hosting games this weekend, but they will have the service to start the season:

Bank of America Stadium (Carolina Panthers) Broncos Stadium at Mile High (Denver Broncos) CenturyLink Field (Seattle Seahawks)
Ford Field (Detroit Lions)
Gillette Stadium (New England Patriots)
Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Dolphins)
Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis Colts)
MetLife Stadium (New York Giants and New York Jets)
M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore Ravens)
NRG Stadium (Houston Texans)
Soldier Field (Chicago Bears)
U.S. Bank Stadium (Minnesota Vikings)

No word yet on which stadium will be the 13th but the company says service will be extended to other stadiums throughout the season. We’ve reached out to Verizon for additional information.

It’s worth noting that several NFL cities not listed above, like Atlanta and Cleveland, have existing 5G service which means you might be able to access it anyway.

Some caveats, though: besides needing to be on Verizon’s network, you’ll actually need a 5G-enabled phone to take advantage of the service and many notable phone models, including the iPhone, aren’t yet equipped for it. 

Also, the actual 5G service may not reach you at all points in the stadium. According to their press release, Verizon says, “Service will be concentrated in parts of the seating areas but could be available in other locations in and around the stadium as well.”

Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg will actually be inside Chicago’s Soldier Field on Thursday night to personally keep an eye on the rollout, according to Bloomberg, and presumably using that sweet, fast service to keep an eye on his fantasy football team.