NTT DOCOMO and 24/7 Software Partner to Build Asia's Smart Venues

NTT DOCOMO and 24/7 Software Partner to Build Asia's Smart Venues

📊 Key Data
  • 21% CAGR: The Asia-Pacific smart stadium market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 21%.
  • 25% faster response times: The 24/7 Software platform has reduced incident response times by an estimated 25% at Es Con Field Hokkaido.
  • 93% of NFL stadiums: The platform is used by 93% of NFL stadiums and 80% of MLB ballparks in North America.
🎯 Expert Consensus

Experts would likely conclude that this partnership is a strategic move to modernize venue management in Asia, leveraging proven technology to enhance efficiency, safety, and guest experiences in high-growth markets.

3 days ago

NTT DOCOMO and 24/7 Software Partner to Build Asia's Smart Venues

BOCA RATON, FL – January 08, 2026 – In a significant move to reshape the future of venue management across Asia, NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS, Inc. has announced an exclusive distribution agreement with 24/7 Software, a U.S.-based leader in facility management SaaS. The partnership will introduce 24/7 Software's acclaimed cloud-based operations platform to stadiums, arenas, and commercial facilities in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

This collaboration marks a strategic push to digitize and streamline the complex operations of modern entertainment venues. By unifying critical functions like incident management, maintenance, lost and found, and visitor requests into a single, mobile-enabled system, the partnership aims to deliver unprecedented efficiency, enhance guest safety, and elevate the overall fan experience for millions.

The Race to Digitize the Fan Experience

The timing of this partnership is critical, as it aligns with explosive growth in the regional market. The Asia-Pacific smart stadium market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 21%, driven by rapid urbanization, soaring sports enthusiasm, and significant government and private investment in smart infrastructure. As venues become larger and more multifunctional, hosting everything from sports matches to major concerts, the complexity of managing them has skyrocketed.

Historically, many facilities have relied on a patchwork of disparate systems—radios for security, separate logs for maintenance, and manual processes for lost and found. This fragmented approach creates operational silos, hinders real-time communication, and makes data-driven decision-making nearly impossible. Compounded by anticipated labor shortages, the need for a digital transformation that shifts employees from repetitive tasks to high-value work has become urgent.

The 24/7 Software platform directly addresses these challenges. It provides a centralized command center that gives venue operators real-time visibility into everything happening on their property. This shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive management is a cornerstone of the modern smart venue.

A Proven Blueprint for Modern Venues

While new to these specific Asian markets through this partnership, 24/7 Software is a globally recognized powerhouse in venue technology. The platform is trusted by the vast majority of major professional sports venues in North America, including 93% of NFL stadiums and 80% of MLB ballparks. Its success extends globally to iconic locations like Lord's Cricket Ground in London, FC Barcelona's Camp Nou, and Melbourne & Olympic Parks in Australia.

The partnership already has a powerful proof of concept within Japan. Fighters Sports & Entertainment Co., Ltd. has successfully implemented the 24/7 Software solution at Es Con Field Hokkaido, one of Japan's newest and most technologically advanced ballparks. The venue, which opened in March 2023, is a marvel of modern design, featuring massive video screens, approximately 600 digital signage displays, and an integrated production system that syncs video, lighting, and sound.

Within this high-tech environment, 24/7 Software's platform has already delivered measurable improvements. By empowering staff with a mobile app to report and track issues in real time, the system has helped reduce incident response times by an estimated 25%. This not only improves operational efficiency but also demonstrably enhances guest safety and satisfaction, allowing staff to resolve everything from a spilled drink to a medical emergency with greater speed and coordination.

A Strategic Play for a High-Growth Region

This agreement represents a meticulously crafted market-entry strategy for 24/7 Software and a significant portfolio enhancement for NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS. For the American SaaS company, partnering with a local telecommunications and ICT giant like NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS provides immediate credibility and an established distribution network, sidestepping the immense challenges Western companies often face when entering the nuanced Asian market.

For NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS, which has been a key player in the digital transformation of Japanese hotels and venues, the partnership adds a best-in-class, globally proven product to its arsenal. The company's role will extend far beyond simple distribution. It plans to integrate the 24/7 Software platform with its existing ICT infrastructure, including online ticketing systems and communication apps, to deliver comprehensive, end-to-end smart solutions tailored to the unique needs of each client.

"We're thrilled to partner with NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS to bring our platform to these three markets that share our deep passion for sports and entertainment," said Justin King, Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing at 24/7 Software, Inc. "As the global leader in venue operations technology, we've learned firsthand what world-class organizations need to create safe, efficient and exceptional experiences. Together with NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS, we look forward to delivering innovative, data-driven solutions that enhance safety, elevate the guest experience and deliver Peace of Mind for the World's Greatest Properties™."

From Smart Stadiums to Smarter Cities

The ambition of this partnership extends beyond the stadium turnstiles. The press release hints at a broader vision where the principles of smart venue management are applied to a wider range of facilities, including large-scale commercial properties and even urban development projects. A stadium or arena, in essence, is a microcosm of a city, with complex needs related to security, traffic flow, waste management, public safety, and resource allocation.

The data and operational intelligence gained from managing thousands of people in a high-stakes, live-event environment are directly transferable to other complex spaces. The ability to monitor infrastructure, manage maintenance crews, and respond to incidents in real time is as valuable for a sprawling shopping complex or a corporate campus as it is for a 70,000-seat stadium. By proving the model in the demanding sports and entertainment sector, NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS and 24/7 Software are positioning this technology as a foundational element for the smarter, safer, and more efficient public and commercial spaces of the future.

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