Justin Archer, Senior Network Engineer at Leaf IT, Steven Goldblatt, CEO at Leaf IT and Bryn Cunningham, Head of Operations and Recruitment at Ulster Rugby

Ulster Rugby Enhances Cybersecurity with Leaf IT at Kingspan Stadium

Ulster Rugby, one of Ireland’s leading professional rugby clubs, relies on Kingspan Stadium not only as its home ground but also as the operational centre for delivering world-class matchday experiences. With tens of thousands of fans, international broadcasters, and multiple systems running simultaneously, the club recognised the need to modernise its digital infrastructure to safeguard against growing cyber threats and ensure reliable performance.

Challenges

The complex environment at Kingspan Stadium brings together a wide range of systems that must work seamlessly, particularly during the pressures of a live matchday. Ticketing, hospitality, CCTV, lighting, bar and restaurant facilities, as well as broadcasters and streaming services, all depend on a stable and secure network. Ulster Rugby faced challenges with outdated infrastructure that was increasingly vulnerable to outages and cyberattacks. Strengthening cybersecurity, preventing disruptions, and ensuring the stadium could meet rising demands were critical priorities for the club.

The Solution

Ulster Rugby turned to Leaf IT, its long-standing IT Cloud and Infrastructure partner, to deliver a major digital infrastructure and cybersecurity upgrade. Leaf IT designed and implemented a new network architecture supported by enhanced firewall security and built-in fail-safes, ensuring systems remain operational even in the event of potential issues. The upgrade provides a secure backbone for Kingspan Stadium’s operations, capable of supporting the wide range of partners and services essential to matchday success.

Beyond this major project, Leaf IT continues to deliver ongoing IT support to Ulster Rugby, including cybersecurity services such as email filtering and disaster recovery, as well as Microsoft Cloud services that underpin the club’s email, intranet, and wider cloud infrastructure. This holistic approach ensures that the club’s operations are protected and optimised both on and off the pitch.

The Results

The completion of the upgrade has transformed Kingspan Stadium’s digital infrastructure, significantly improving its resilience and security. Enhanced firewall protection and fail-safes have reduced the risk of outages, giving Ulster Rugby the confidence that its matchday systems will perform seamlessly under pressure. The result is a robust, future-proof environment that allows fans, staff, and partners to enjoy a smooth and reliable experience on game days.

This partnership has also reinforced Ulster Rugby’s commitment to maintaining Kingspan Stadium as a world-class venue capable of hosting top-tier rugby fixtures. By investing in modern, secure infrastructure, the club is well-positioned to deliver exceptional matchday experiences for years to come.