In a dazzling display of network capabilities, Verizon has emerged as the clear winner against AT&T and T-Mobile during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. This victory not only showcased Verizon's robust network but also highlighted the advancements these carriers have made in enhancing fan experiences at major sporting events.
Super Bowl LX: A Showdown of Network Giants
Network Performance Metrics
The competitive environment catalyzed impressive results, with Verizon's median download speed skyrocketing from 914.30 Mbps in June 2025 to 1464.38 Mbps in January 2026. In comparison, T-Mobile reported an increase from 132.61 Mbps to 768.01 Mbps, while AT&T grew from 238.56 Mbps to 796.61 Mbps. On the upload speed front, Verizon achieved a rise from 115.98 Mbps to 244.06 Mbps, with T-Mobile climbing from 18.48 Mbps to 101.04 Mbps, and AT&T more than doubling its upload speed from 40.99 Mbps to 79.71 Mbps.
The enhanced in-stadium experience can hardly be compared to the usual day-to-day performance, as the networks adapted to the demands of such a large crowd. For context, during the second half of 2025, average download speeds across all carriers in nearby San Jose, California, rested at just 167.57 Mbps, while median upload speeds were a mere 11.8 Mbps.
Other network responsiveness metrics also showed improvement, with Verizon's median multi-server latency recorded at a mere 17 milliseconds (ms), compared to AT&T's 24 ms and T-Mobile's 34 ms.
A Game-Changing Victory
Verizon’s remarkable performance at Levi's Stadium stands as a testimony to the true potential of its network, a significant achievement particularly when keeping stadium fans connected has often proven challenging. The timing couldn't be better for Verizon, making this victory notable as they had recently faced criticism after T-Mobile was recognized in Ookla's Speedtest Connectivity Report for the latter half of 2025. However, Verizon claimed superiority in a simultaneous RootMetrics study during the same timeline.
The Role of mmWave Technology
Despite past criticism regarding investments in mmWave spectrum licenses, it is evident that these short-range signals played a crucial role in achieving superior performance during the event. Under the leadership of new CEO Dan Schulman, Verizon is now taking a more balanced approach to its strategy moving forward.
