And just like that, football is back in action!

Fans flooded stadiums across the country during the first week of college and professional football – ready to share all the action from the stands. During the first week, mobile data usage climbed significantly compared to the first week of gridiron action in 2015.

From nail-biting double-overtimes in college matchups to exciting showdowns on the pro side, there was a lot to talk about during week one. And the data speaks for itself.

  • Compared to the first week of college football in 2015, we experienced a nearly 50% jump in total data usage in 2016.
  • Compared to the first week of professional football in 2015, we experienced a nearly 60% jump in total data usage in 2016.

Top 5 Collegiate Venues by Total Mobile Data (9/1-9/4)

1.      College Station, TX

1,855 GB

Equals more than 5 million social media photo posts

2.      Fayetteville, AR

1,125 GB

Equals more than 3.2 million social media photo posts

3.      Austin, TX

1,037 GB

Equals more than 2.9 million social media photo posts

4.      Pittsburgh, PA

943 GB

Equals more than 2.6 million social media photo posts

5.      San Diego, CA

845 GB

Equals more than 2.4 million social media photo posts

Top 5 Professional Venues by Total Mobile Data (9/8-9/12)

1.      Dallas, TX

2,273 GB

Equals more than 6.5 million social media photo posts

2.      Houston, TX

1563 GB

Equals more than 4.5 million social media photo posts

3.      New Orleans, LA

1311 GB

Equals more than 3.7 million social media photo posts

4.      Atlanta, GA

1035 GB

Equals more than 3 million social media photo posts

5.      Phoenix, AZ

948 GB

Equals more than 2.7 million social media photo posts

Caveats:

  • All figures include only data traffic seen on the AT&T venue-specific mobile network.
  • All data metrics come only from venues with a DAS where the AT&T mobile network is on-air. These metrics are not comprehensive of every game played during this past weekend for college football.
  • Data compiled only from football stadiums with home games during this selected timeframe where AT&T is on-air on a DAS.