Cisco, a networking and cybersecurity company, has renewed its technology partnership with the United States Golf Association, the governing body responsible for golf championships including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open Presented by Ally, extending a relationship that began in 2018 and shifting focus toward infrastructure designed to support larger device volumes and AI based services.
The expanded agreement centers on the technology stack supporting tournament operations, venue connectivity and event management as the USGA prepares infrastructure deployments for upcoming championships at Riviera Country Club and Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in 2026.
Under the renewed partnership, the organizations said they will deploy infrastructure intended to support both current operational requirements and future AI applications across championship environments. The technology is expected to support venue monitoring, network visibility and crowd management functions used during large scale events.
The partnership also includes work around an AI powered rules experience designed to help golfers access official rules information through conversational interactions. Cisco said the experience will be protected using Cisco AI Defense, a security platform designed to provide visibility into enterprise AI usage, validate models for risk and protect applications during runtime.
“Cisco has been an essential partner in helping the USGA build a technology foundation worthy of the world's greatest golf championships,” said Jon Podany, Chief Commercial Officer at the USGA. “This extended partnership ensures we're not just ready for today's demands, but well-positioned to push the boundaries of what's possible at our championships and beyond to meet the changing needs of our fans and customers.”
The infrastructure planned for Riviera Country Club and Shinnecock Hills Golf Club includes Cisco Wi Fi 7 access points and switching technology intended to provide connectivity for more than 240,000 expected fans, media personnel and event operators during championship weeks. Cisco also said the deployment includes networking technology, firewall systems and physical security controls supporting functions such as broadcasting, scoring systems and on site services.
Event monitoring tools are also part of the rollout. Meraki cameras will be used for crowd flow monitoring and operational insights, while dashboards built with Splunk Enterprise and Splunk Cloud Platform will provide event teams with visibility into network performance and infrastructure health during live operations.
“We’re proud to partner with the USGA as it enters a new era of AI-driven innovation. As AI becomes foundational to the future of golf, Cisco’s leadership in networking, security, and digital infrastructure will help the USGA deliver smarter, more connected, and more immersive experiences for fans around the world,” said Rob McQueen, Vice President of Global Sponsorships at Cisco.
The agreement also extends programs tied to workforce development and participation initiatives. Cisco said it will continue supporting the USGA Pathways Internship Program and plans to deploy Networking Academy Dream Teams during championship events, connecting students with technology roles inside tournament operations.
