Upgrading a stadium's audio system doesn't always mean starting from scratch. Sometimes, the biggest challenge lies in improving what's already there, adding new capabilities, and preparing the system for many more years of operation.

That was the case with BBVA Stadium in Monterrey, Mexico. Opened in 2015 and known as the “Giant of Steel,” the venue is home to Club de Fútbol Monterrey—also known as the Rayadas and Rayados—and hosts matches, international tournaments, and large-scale concerts.

Since its opening, the stadium has been equipped with an audio system based on Bose Professional technology, installed by the Mexican company Audio & Comfort. More than a decade later, the system continued to operate reliably. However, the stadium’s selection as one of the venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup prompted an overhaul of the system to meet new technical requirements.

“Over more than 10 years of operation, the audio system has demonstrated very solid and reliable performance,” says Roberto Treviño, Chief Technology Officer at Club de Futbol Monterrey. “Its durability and stability speak volumes about the quality of the system that was installed at the time.”

“We are very grateful to BBVA Stadium and Club de Futbol Monterrey for placing their trust in our solutions once again. A few years ago, they decided to install the original audio system using our technology, and it was clear they were satisfied with its performance, as they called us again when FIFA asked them to boost the bass frequencies with additional subwoofers. Our entire engineering and sales team worked closely with them and with our friends at Audio y Comfort to deliver the best possible solution,” added Diana Quintero, Director of LATAM Partner and Market Growth at Bose Professional.

The challenge: to strengthen without discarding

During the evaluation process to become a World Cup host venue, FIFA consultants reviewed various technological systems at the stadium, including access control, Wi-Fi connectivity, and audio.

In terms of sound, the areas for improvement were clear: achieving a more balanced response, consistent sound pressure levels, and greater impact at low frequencies. There was also an architectural feature that created an “acoustic shadow” in part of the lower ring, beneath the suite balcony. In that area, the sound from the main arrangements did not come through with the same clarity and, at times, was drowned out by noise from the nearby air conditioning system.

The original system included 883 speakers, including 104 RoomMatch DeltaQ speakers distributed across 14 linear arrays suspended from the ceiling, powered by PowerMatch amplifiers over a CobraNet network. The installation did not need to be replaced, but rather upgraded.

To carry out the project, the club once again turned to Audio & Comfort, the integrator that had been involved in the initial installation.

“Our relationship with Club de Futbol Monterrey is essential because we understand the heart of the project. No one knows the sound system better than we do. We began this relationship sixteen years ago, and we’ve been here ever since,” explains Jorge López Berrueta, director of Audio & Comfort.

Simulate Before Installing

A key advantage was that the stadium already had a 3D model created in Modeler—Bose Professional’s acoustic prediction software—from the time of the original installation.
Using that representation of the venue, the teams from Audio & Comfort and Bose Professional were able to simulate coverage, sound pressure, frequency response, and intelligibility before installing new components. The model also helped calculate mechanical loads and determine mounting hardware.

In addition, using the Auditioner auralization tool, the team was able to demonstrate to technicians and executives how the amplified system would sound before they approved the investment.

Lower frequencies and better coverage

To boost the low-frequency response, 80 ShowMatch SMS118 subwoofers featuring DeltaQ technology were integrated, distributed across 14 ceiling-suspended arrays and alternated with the existing RoomMatch arrays. This configuration added depth and power without compromising overall coverage.

To address the acoustic shadow caused by the lower ring, 72 ArenaMatch Utility AMU208 speakers were installed on the ceiling separating the grandstand from the suites. With a constant coverage pattern of 90° vertically by 60° horizontally and a maximum SPL of 126 dB, these speakers deliver clearer sound to the rows previously affected by the structure.

In addition, its IP55 rating and three-layer stainless steel grille are designed to withstand the weather conditions in Monterrey, where the equipment must operate reliably in a demanding environment.

An infrastructure ready for growth

The system is powered by 27 PowerShareX PSX4804D amplifiers, which offer high efficiency, high power, and network monitoring. Management is handled by two ControlSpace EX-1280 processors, configured with full redundancy.

One of the most significant changes was the integration of Dante for audio distribution. The new protocol coexists with the original CobraNet network thanks to latency compensation that allows the existing system to be synchronized with the new one, leaving the infrastructure ready for future expansions.

“The transition to Dante connectivity, along with the new amplifiers, has given the system superior flexibility, reliability, and control capabilities,” says Treviño. “It is essential to adapt to these innovations, which not only simplify day-to-day management but also facilitate future system expansions.”

During the project, another need arose: to provide on-field monitoring so that players could clearly hear the head referee following a VAR review, and so that on-field personnel could hear announcements made from the stands during special events.

The solution was to install four monitoring points next to the benches, with two DeltaQ ArenaMatch AM10 loudspeakers at each point. Their directional coverage—10° vertically by 60° horizontally—focuses the sound toward the field without intruding on the stands or obstructing the line of sight.

Measurement and Final Adjustment

The setup brought together stadium technicians, engineers from Audio & Comfort, and specialists from Bose Professional. Over the course of three days, the team took nearly 200 measurements using a digital wireless microphone system.

First, the hardware, routing, and signal flow were checked. Next, the performance of the speakers and subwoofers in each zone was adjusted. Finally, listening tests were conducted using presenters’ voices, music from various genres, and multimedia content.

That process made it possible to verify that the system performed as expected under real-world conditions, not just in a simulation.

Result: Protect the investment and improve the experience

The upgraded system began operating in the first quarter of 2026 and was tested during the club's matches and international games. As a result, the stadium passed the final evaluation by officials from soccer's governing body.

But the project's impact goes beyond a single tournament. The renovation improved the acoustic experience in all seating areas, boosted sound levels, provided coverage for previously problematic areas, and extended the useful life of an infrastructure that had already proven its reliability.

“All of these initiatives are part of a comprehensive vision aimed at enhancing the experience of our fans, which is the primary motivation for both Club de Futbol Monterrey and Estadio BBVA,” concludes Roberto Treviño.

This case shows that, in large venues, innovation does not always mean replacement. Sometimes, the best approach is to analyze the situation carefully, integrate new technologies, and build on a foundation that still has a lot to offer.

Bose Professional will be at InfoComm América Latina , in Demo Room #8, where it will showcase solutions for professional audio projects in stadiums, venues, corporate spaces, and demanding environments.Register today and come see them!