The National Hockey League (NHL) has officially designated the City of Newark as the “backyard” of its technological future. In a landmark announcement on Monday, the League, in partnership with Verizon and the New Jersey Devils, opened the NHL Innovation Lab powered by Verizon inside the Prudential Center.
The facility makes the NHL the first major U.S. professional sports league to establish a dedicated, permanent space for testing and incubating technology in a simulated arena environment.
While the lab is headquartered within “The Rock,” the technical heavy lifting will occur across the Prudential Center’s adjacent practice rink—the RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House. This space will serve as a real-world testing ground where the League can refine tools for coaches, players, and officials in real-time.
“The NHL Innovation Lab gives us the ability to test, validate, and refine new technology on the ice, in real game environments, all year round right in our own backyard,” Dave Lehanski, NHL Executive Vice President of Business Development and Innovation, said.
Central to the lab’s success is the deployment of Verizon’s Private 5G Wireless Network. Unlike public networks, this “express lane” provides a secure, high-speed infrastructure that allows for:
- Real-Time Bench Analytics: Enhanced secure video access on iPads for coaches to analyze plays instantly.
- Official Alerts: Secure wireless connectivity for the NHL Watch Comms app on Apple Watches worn by game officials.
- Next-Gen Media: Capturing 4K and 8K content at scale using Sony technology, including a massive 144-inch Crystal LED display.
Kyle Malady, CEO of Verizon Business, noted that the lab uses Secure Cloud Interconnect (SCI) solutions to reduce latency, allowing for advanced AI training and machine learning deployments that could eventually change how fans experience the game globally.
For the New Jersey Devils, the opening of the lab further cements the Prudential Center’s status as one of the most technologically advanced venues in North America. The organization, which has called the Garden State home since 1982, will now be at the epicenter of the NHL’s global technology strategy.
The lab isn’t just about the “cool factor”—it is a strategic move to future-proof the sport. By leveraging Hawk-Eye tracking technology and modern virtualization, the NHL is preparing for a future where data demands will grow exponentially.
