Stadium and arena management personnel are responsible for ensuring a safe environment for attendees at games, concerts, or events. From entry to exit, a positive experience encourages attendees to return and recommend the venue to others.
Given the size and often complex shape of stadiums and arenas, maintaining effective team communication is challenging. It is crucial that attendees can move freely within accessible areas and exit quickly and safely at the end of an event or during an evacuation. Therefore, teams spread across the site must collaborate effectively, which requires the right tools.
With a capacity of over 25,000, Hull City AFC’s MKM Stadium hosts football matches in The EFL Championship, the second tier of English Football and one of the most watched domestic football leagues in the world.
Identifying Limitations
Like many sports venues, Hull City AFC‘s MKM Stadium relies on an efficient communication solution for smooth event operations. Competing in the EFL Championship, Hull City AFC often attract crowds of around 20,000 – aiming to entertain them not only on the pitch with good football, but also across the stadium’s restaurants, bars and fan zones.
However, Hull City’s outdated analogue radios were no longer meeting their requirements. Recognizing the need for an upgrade, Hull City AFC’s Safety Manager contacted two-way communication specialist reseller DCRS after a referral from another Championship football club.
During the initial site visit, DCRS Sales Manager Ash Robinson assessed Hull City’s communication needs and identified the limitations of their current analogue system. It was clear that a modern digital solution was necessary, so Ash proposed integrating newer and future-proofed two-way radios into their existing infrastructure.
A Future-Proofed Proposal
Ash’s proposal included supplying 80 Hytera PD405 hand portables and necessary accessories to ensure complete coverage throughout the stadium. Additionally, Ash planned to reprogram the existing infrastructure to enhance digital capabilities, effectively doubling the system’s capacity and improving channel configuration.
DCRS aimed to provide a solution that met both current and future demands with a radio system that seamlessly integrated into the team’s workflow. As a professional reseller of two-way communication solutions, DCRS offered several value-added services to Hull City, including:
- Conducting thorough inspections and comprehensive testing to ensure full coverage throughout the stadium.
- Reprogramming existing equipment to support digital capabilities
- Installing and configuring 80 Hytera hand portable two-way radios
An Upgrade for Immediate and Long-Term Performance
By upgrading to a digital two-way radio system, Hull City addressed immediate operational challenges and positioned themselves for future success in delivering safe and memorable experiences for fans and staff.
The upgrade from analogue to digital radios resulted in clearer audio quality and improved signal, ensuring effective communication even in challenging and loud environments. With expanded channel configuration and doubled system capacity, Hull City now has a scalable and future-ready communication system capable of adapting to their evolving operational needs.
Ash Robinson – DCRS Sales Manager
“It was important for the DCRS team to supply Hull City AFC with a solution to satisfy the present and future demands with a radio system that is easy to implement into the team’s workflow. Given that their existing analogue radio system had clear limitations, I was delighted to propose Hytera PD405 digital radios along with a suite of accessories which would elevate their communication across the entire stadium. And by reprogramming the site’s existing infrastructure, we effectively doubled the system’s capacity by enhancing channel configuration.”
To learn more about two-way radio solutions, please visit our Professional Mobile Radio (PMR) category page or get in touch with us today!
About the Reseller
DCRS is a leading provider of two-way radio and body-worn camera solutions, specialising in communication and security technology for the football and stadium sector. With decades of experience, DCRS deliver reliable, high-performance solutions that enhance safety, coordination, and operational efficiency.
Partnering with industry-leading manufacturers like Hytera, DCRS provides tailored systems, expert consultancy, and dedicated support to ensure seamless communication in high-pressure environments. From matchday operations to event security, they equip teams with the tools they need to stay connected and in control.
Call: 0800 043 2688
Email: sales@dcrs.co.uk
Website: www.dcrs.co.uk
