The National Basketball Association team partnered with startup Cartogram to enhance the guest experience for users of the Sacramento Kings? smartphone app. For example, users will be able to access turn-by-turn directions for the fastest route from their parking spot to their seat when the new arena opens in a month. 

The Sacramento Kings wants to create a world-class and intuitive arena experience that starts before fans step inside the Golden 1 Center, with the Cartogram integration just one part of the equation.

Cartogram?s platform leverages wireless and sensor-driven indoor positioning algorithms to enable the creation, management and distribution of indoor maps.

In addition to finding their seats, visitors will also be able to use the app to find their way to any of the arena?s food vendors with directions inside and outside of the venue. 

Once inside the venue, visitors will be able to search and filter the custom arena maps to learn about the facility with indoor maps that visually update in real-time as the venue changes. 

Fans will also be able to access real-time information about the length of restroom and concession lines. Traditionally, line wait time monitoring required cameras or beacons, but Cartogram makes it possible with a network integration at the arena. 

By tracking the indoor location of visitors without beacons or an app, Cartogram promises greater accuracy of the line wait times.

The updated Kings app will be available for download on iOS and Android devices in the coming weeks. 

Golden 1 Center accesses real-time data from the facility?s dedicated 200-gigabit connectivity capacity channeled through more than 700 miles of single mode fiber cabling. All of this connectivity feeds into the arena?s 6,000 square-foot data command center that will use machine learning to respond to visitors? needs in real time.  

Fans can connect to one of the arena?s 1,000 next-generation Wi-Fi access points, promising access to the fastest Internet connection of any sports and entertainment venue.