2020 Euro - Overlay Network Cabling and HLD/LLD Design Documentation

EURO 2020 represented one of the most complex sporting events ever staged. To celebrate the tournament’s 60th anniversary, matches were hosted across multiple cities throughout Europe rather than within a single host nation. The tournament ultimately took place across 11 host cities and stadiums, requiring a highly resilient and standardized technology infrastructure capable of supporting broadcasting, media operations, event management, security systems, and tournament stakeholders.
TDJC DATA was engaged to provide specialist overlay network cabling services together with comprehensive High-Level Design (HLD) and Low-Level Design (LLD) documentation to support the deployment and operation of temporary event networking infrastructure across tournament venues.

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Client:

UEFA Euro 2020

Sector:

Stadium

Location:

Azerbaijan, Denmark, England, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Russia, Scotland & Spain

The Challenge

Delivering a consistent network experience across multiple international venues presented significant challenges:
• Temporary overlay infrastructure needed to integrate with existing stadium networks and facilities.
• Multiple technology stakeholders required access to secure and segregated network services.
• Documentation standards had to be maintained across all venues to ensure repeatable deployment and operational consistency.
• Tight implementation schedules demanded rapid deployment without compromising quality or resilience.
• The tournament’s pan-European format introduced additional logistical and coordination complexities across countries, languages, and local suppliers.
The project required a structured approach that would enable installation teams, network engineers, operations personnel, and event stakeholders to work from a common design framework.

TDJC DATA Solution

Overlay Network Cabling Deployment
TDJC DATA designed and delivered venue overlay cabling solutions to support temporary event technology requirements, including:
• Structured copper and fibre optic cabling installations.
• Distribution and access-layer connectivity.
• Network patching and cross-connect management.
• Equipment rack layout and cable management standards.
• Redundant network paths for critical services.
• Testing, labelling, and certification of installed infrastructure.
A consistent deployment methodology ensured that each venue maintained the same operational standards while accommodating local site-specific requirements.
High-Level Design (HLD) Documentation
TDJC DATA produced comprehensive High-Level Design documentation providing stakeholders with a strategic overview of the network architecture.
The HLD package included:
• End-to-end network architecture diagrams.
• Core, distribution, and access network topology.
• Connectivity between venue systems and central services.
• Resilience and failover strategies.
• Security zoning and network segmentation.
• Service dependency mapping.
The HLD served as the master reference document for project governance, stakeholder approvals, and implementation planning.
Low-Level Design (LLD) Documentation
To support deployment and operational teams, TDJC DATA developed detailed Low-Level Design documentation covering:
• Physical cabling schematics.
• Rack elevations and equipment layouts.
• Fibre and copper patching schedules.
• VLAN and IP addressing structures.
• Port allocations and switch configurations.
• Network service mappings.
• Installation standards and commissioning procedures.
These detailed documents provided engineers with a clear implementation blueprint, reducing deployment risk and improving operational readiness.
Delivery Approach
TDJC DATA adopted a structured project methodology consisting of:
1. Site Surveys and Discovery
Each venue underwent detailed assessment to determine:
• Existing infrastructure constraints.
• Equipment locations.
• Cable routing opportunities.
• Broadcast and media requirements.
• Operational and security considerations.
2. Design Development
Using survey data and stakeholder requirements, TDJC DATA developed standardized HLD and LLD packages that balanced consistency across venues with local operational needs.
3. Installation and Validation
Overlay cabling infrastructure was installed, labelled, tested, and documented according to project standards. Comprehensive validation ensured readiness prior to tournament operations.
4. Documentation Handover
Final as-built documentation was delivered to provide a complete reference for operations teams throughout the tournament lifecycle.

The Before & After

Server cabinet with densely packed colorful cables in a technical setting

Server cabinets with numerous cables in a data center setting

The Results

TDJC DATA successfully delivered:
• Comprehensive HLD and LLD design documentation.
• Standardized overlay cabling infrastructure across venue environments.
• Accurate asset and connectivity records.
• Reduced deployment complexity through repeatable design standards.
• Improved operational support through detailed engineering documentation.
• A scalable and resilient foundation supporting critical tournament services.

The structured design and documentation approach enabled efficient deployment, simplified troubleshooting, and ensured consistency across a highly distributed tournament environment.

Key Benefits

Standardization
Consistent design principles across all venues improved deployment efficiency and operational support.

Visibility
Comprehensive HLD and LLD documentation provided clear visibility of network architecture and physical infrastructure.

Reliability
Redundant cabling paths and documented failover strategies supported business-critical event operations.

Operational Readiness
Detailed implementation documentation reduced risk and accelerated issue resolution during live tournament operations.

Conclusion
EURO 2020 required a networking approach capable of supporting one of the most geographically distributed sporting events ever delivered. Through the provision of overlay network cabling services and comprehensive HLD/LLD documentation, TDJC DATA helped establish a reliable and well-documented network foundation that supported the successful delivery of tournament operations across Europe.
By combining technical expertise, structured documentation practices, and meticulous deployment standards, TDJC DATA demonstrated its capability to deliver complex event technology infrastructure for world-class sporting events.