No Signal at Paradise: Why Celtic Park Is Glasgow’s Mobile Connectivity Black Spot — and How That Might Finally Change
If you’ve ever stood in the stands at Celtic Park, surrounded by nearly 60,000 fans singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” and tried to send a quick message to a friend — only to be met with the spinning wheel of doom — then you already know what this story is about.
Trying to send a text, check other scores, upload a photo, or even scroll through social media during a matchday in the east end of Glasgow has long been an exercise in frustration. Apps freeze, pages don’t load, messages won’t send, and your phone signal seems to vanish into thin air the moment the stadium fills.
But now, thanks to a comprehensive new report published by the Glasgow City Region, there’s finally some attention being paid to the issue — and even more importantly, a plan to fix it.
“Dead Zone” at Paradise: What the Report Found
The report, which analysed mobile signal performance across four of the city’s busiest venues — Celtic Park, Ibrox Stadium, Hampden Park, and the OVO Hydro — found Celtic Park had the worst mobile connectivity of all.
The findings were consistent across all major UK mobile providers, meaning it doesn’t matter whether you’re on O2, EE, Vodafone or Three — you’re almost guaranteed to struggle for coverage during big events at Celtic’s home ground.
Even the stadium’s in-house Wi-Fi system — which theoretically should act as a solution — has long been criticised by fans as unreliable and overloaded, particularly during matches when tens of thousands of devices are all trying to connect at once.
The result? A digital black hole in one of the most iconic football stadiums in the UK.
The Importance of Being Connected in 2025
In decades past, mobile coverage might not have been a concern for stadium operators. After all, fans came to watch the match — not to scroll through Twitter or livestream their experience.
But in 2025, the expectations around connectivity have changed dramatically. Football fans — like all consumers — now expect their digital experiences to be seamless and instant, no matter the venue. From streaming replays, placing in-play bets, checking other results, or posting a quick update to Instagram, the matchday experience is as digital as it is physical.
Even beyond fan expectations, there are practical and even safety-related reasons why good connectivity matters:
Mobile ticketing is now the standard at most top-level stadiums.
Contactless payments are required for most food and drink vendors inside the ground.
Emergency services often rely on mobile networks to communicate with on-site staff.
Accessibility tools, such as hearing loops and live captioning apps, are used via mobile.
Without a functioning mobile network, all of these tools are either compromised or entirely unavailable.
What Fans Are Saying
For regulars at Celtic Park, the issue isn’t new — but many are starting to feel that it’s become unacceptable in an era when digital infrastructure is more important than ever.
“It’s a joke, really. I can barely get a text out before the game starts, and once the stadium’s full, forget about it,” says Liam McDonnell, a season ticket holder from Coatbridge.
“There’s no point trying to check the scores at half-time. You might as well wait until you get home. It takes forever for anything to load.”
Others point to the social side of the experience — how poor signal has affected their ability to share special moments with others.
“I wanted to send a video of the ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ chant to my dad — he’s in hospital and couldn’t make it to the game,” said Erin, a lifelong Celtic supporter. “But I couldn’t get it to send until I was already on the bus home. It just ruins the moment.”
City Officials Step In
The newly released report was produced by the Glasgow City Region Intelligence Hub, a body tasked with identifying infrastructure challenges across the Greater Glasgow area.
Theresa Searle, Economic Development Manager for the region, says connectivity issues at key venues like Celtic Park are now being treated as a high priority.
“We know how important reliable mobile connectivity is for residents, whether they are at a match, attending a concert, or simply using their phone in the city centre,” said Searle.
“By supporting mobile operators with clear data and access to local infrastructure, we’re helping ensure that network improvements are delivered where they will make the biggest difference.”
She also confirmed that the city is working closely with mobile operators and stadium owners to find viable solutions, including deploying better on-site network technology.
What Causes the Problem?
The technical explanation for the lack of signal is fairly straightforward, according to telecom experts: too many devices and too few antennas.
On matchdays, as tens of thousands of people arrive at the stadium — most carrying smartphones — they all try to connect to the same few cellular towers and Wi-Fi access points. These systems simply weren’t designed to cope with such a massive surge in demand.
What’s needed are targeted upgrades like:
Small cell installations within the stadium, which boost capacity and shorten the distance signals need to travel.
Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) that spread coverage across the stadium in a coordinated way.
Wi-Fi 6 technology, designed for high-density environments like sports arenas.
Partnerships with mobile providers to create dedicated in-stadium networks.
These technologies exist — and are already being used in top stadiums around the world, such as Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, which boasts some of the best connectivity in Europe. The issue at Celtic Park isn’t about possibility — it’s about investment, planning, and urgency.
A City-Wide Strategy for a Connected Future
Glasgow’s effort to improve venue connectivity isn’t limited to football stadiums. The report includes similar analysis for concert venues like the OVO Hydro, and national stadium Hampden Park, both of which also suffer from capacity issues during peak events.
The city is looking to implement a cohesive digital infrastructure strategy that supports both entertainment venues and public transport hubs, business centres, and tourist destinations. With large events such as UEFA matches, concerts, and international conferences attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, robust digital services are seen as essential for Glasgow’s continued economic development.
When Will Celtic Fans See a Difference?
So, when can fans expect an improvement at Paradise?
City officials and stakeholders have yet to release a firm timeline, but insiders suggest that upgrades could begin as early as 2026, depending on coordination with network providers and the club itself.
While this may not be fast enough for supporters hoping to post their next matchday selfie, the long-term plan is encouraging. Not only does it aim to solve a persistent problem, but it recognises that venues like Celtic Park are no longer just stadiums — they are digital spaces, community landmarks, and international showcases.
Final Whistle Thoughts
For too long, Celtic Park has been the spiritual home of unforgettable football moments — but also the not-so-glorious home of signal dropouts and digital frustration.
Now, with the Glasgow City Region stepping in, and a new era of mobile infrastructure on the horizon, fans can begin to hope that the next time the Bhoys score a last-minute winner, they might actually be able to tell the group chat before full-time.
Until then, we’ll still raise our phones to the sky, hoping for one bar. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll finally get it.