Empty soccer stadium with green field and red seats

UEFA Champions League Final - Overlay Network Cabling and HLD/LLD Design Documentation

Major finals demand world-class technology infrastructure capable of supporting broadcasters, media organisations, event operations, security services, sponsors, hospitality providers, and tournament stakeholders.
TDJC DATA was engaged to provide specialist overlay network cabling services and comprehensive High-Level Design (HLD) and Low-Level Design (LLD) documentation for two flagship club football events:
• Champions League Final – Madrid
• Europa League Final – Baku
The projects required the deployment of resilient temporary networking infrastructure within complex stadium environments while ensuring consistency, operational readiness, and comprehensive documentation for all stakeholders.

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Client:

UEFA Champions League Final

Sector:

Stadium

Location:

Madrid – UEFA Champions League Final,
Baku – UEFA Europa League Final

The Challenge

Both finals presented unique logistical and technical challenges.
Madrid – UEFA Champions League Final
As the showcase event of European club football, the Champions League Final required extensive technology infrastructure to support:
• Global television broadcast operations
• International media centres
• Event management systems
• Hospitality and VIP operations
• Security and accreditation services
• Tournament partner connectivity
The temporary overlay network had to integrate seamlessly with existing stadium infrastructure while maintaining high levels of resilience and service availability.
Baku – UEFA Europa League Final
The Europa League Final in Baku introduced additional complexities due to:
• International logistics and equipment deployment
• Extended implementation timelines
• Multi-vendor coordination
• Temporary infrastructure requirements across multiple operational zones
• Strict event delivery deadlines
Both projects required a consistent design and deployment methodology that could be executed efficiently while maintaining operational standards.

TDJC DATA Solution

Overlay Network Cabling Infrastructure
TDJC DATA designed and implemented the physical network overlay infrastructure supporting event operations across both venues.
Services included:
• Fibre optic backbone installations
• Structured copper cabling deployment
• Temporary communications infrastructure
• Equipment rack installation and cable management
• Patch panel and cross-connect implementation
• Redundant connectivity paths for critical services
• Labelling, testing, and certification of all installed cabling
A disciplined installation methodology ensured infrastructure could be deployed quickly while maintaining quality and operational reliability.
High-Level Design (HLD) Documentation
TDJC DATA developed comprehensive High-Level Design documentation to provide a strategic overview of the event network architecture.
The HLD package included:
• End-to-end network topology diagrams
• Core and distribution layer architecture
• Network segmentation strategy
• Service connectivity mapping
• Resilience and failover design
• Integration points with venue infrastructure
• Operational support model
The documentation provided stakeholders with a clear understanding of network services and deployment requirements before implementation commenced.
Low-Level Design (LLD) Documentation
To support installation and operational teams, TDJC DATA produced detailed Low-Level Design documentation covering all aspects of implementation.
Deliverables included:
• Physical cabling schematics
• Fibre routing diagrams
• Rack elevations and equipment placement
• Patch schedules and connectivity matrices
• VLAN structures and IP addressing plans
• Switch port allocation documentation
• Commissioning and testing procedures
• As-built records
The LLD documentation ensured deployment teams could execute installations consistently while providing operational teams with accurate support references.
Delivery Methodology
Discovery and Venue Assessment
TDJC DATA conducted detailed site assessments to understand:
• Existing venue infrastructure
• Technology stakeholder requirements
• Operational zone locations
• Broadcast compound connectivity needs
• Security and accreditation requirements
Network Design
Based on venue assessments and event requirements, TDJC DATA developed standardized network designs tailored to each final while maintaining consistent engineering standards.
Deployment and Commissioning
Installation teams deployed the overlay infrastructure according to approved design documentation. All cabling was tested, certified, and validated prior to event operations.
Documentation and Handover
Comprehensive as-built documentation was delivered to support operational teams throughout event delivery and post-event decommissioning.

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

Across both UEFA finals, TDJC DATA successfully delivered:

• Complete HLD and LLD design documentation packages
• Temporary overlay network cabling infrastructure
• Fibre and copper connectivity for critical event services
• Consistent deployment standards across multiple venue environments
• Comprehensive testing and certification records
• Accurate as-built documentation for operational support

The resulting infrastructure provided a reliable foundation for tournament operations, broadcasting, media services, and event management activities.

Key Benefits

Reliable Event Operations

Resilient network infrastructure supported critical event services throughout planning, setup, and match-day operations.

Enhanced Documentation Standards

Detailed HLD and LLD documentation provided stakeholders with complete visibility of network architecture and implementation details.

Reduced Deployment Risk

Standardized design methodologies and detailed implementation plans minimized installation errors and accelerated deployment timelines.

Improved Operational Support

Comprehensive documentation and accurate asset records enabled efficient troubleshooting and support during live event operations.

Conclusion

The Champions League Final in Madrid and Europa League Final in Baku required highly reliable networking infrastructure delivered within demanding timescales and complex operational environments.
Through the provision of overlay network cabling services and comprehensive HLD/LLD design documentation, TDJC DATA successfully supported the delivery of two of Europe’s most prestigious football events. By combining technical expertise, meticulous planning, and robust documentation practices, TDJC DATA provided a scalable and resilient network foundation that enabled seamless event operations and stakeholder connectivity.