The Best Two-Way Radios for Stadiums and Arenas
If you go out and buy the first radio that you see for your team, you might be in for a rude awakening. Static, poor battery life, messages that sound like a drive-through speaker...
That’s why you need a quality radio tailored to your stadium, and we’ve got you covered!
We don't want you to buy any radio just because you like the name or the price. We want you to make an educated decision and purchase the perfect radio within the scope of your needs, staff, and location.
We’ve sold thousands of radios and have compiled all that knowledge right here in this brief guide.
What do you need in a walkie talkie for stadiums?
The line outside Gate C is stretching around the block. A fight just broke out in Section 119, and security hasn’t been notified.
Meanwhile, the concessions stand at Row 32 is out of hot dogs—but no one’s told the stockroom. Everyone’s doing their best, but without a fast way to communicate, the whole stadium feels one step away from chaos.
These are all common issues in a stadium - and they can easily be solved with clear, quality two-way radios.
Let's walk through some important components when comparing radios.
Coverage Considerations
When choosing two-way radios for your arena, it is important to match radio power and coverage of your building size and layout.
Selecting a radio that is too powerful for your needs can lead to overpaying, while choosing one with insufficient coverage may result in poor quality and dead zones.
For small arenas, 1 to 2 watts of power will do the trick - you can get from 100k - 200k sqft of coverage.
Larger stadiums (or multiple buildings), covering up to 350,000 square feet, require more powerful radios in the 3-4 watt range on analog (or 1 watt on digital) that can transmit clearly through walls and across larger distances.
You also need to take obstructions and building materials into account. If you have thick concrete walls, it may be necessary to go 1-watt stronger.
For unlimited coverage, across multiple locations, consider radios that use LTE and Wi-Fi, like the Motorola WAVE PTX series.
Number of Channels Needed
Channels help segment team conversations, to simplify radio chatter.
Recommended groups for Stadiums:
- Security – For coordinating incidents, crowd control, and emergency response.
- Guest Services – For handling lost-and-found, ADA assistance, and fan support.
- Concessions – For managing inventory, restocking, and staff communication across stands.
- Maintenance– For responding to spills, repairs, and restroom upkeep.
- Management – For department leads to coordinate overall operations and make quick decisions
Easy breezy. That’s concise and direct communication.
Channels can also be used to set up private conversations: “Sarah, call Tom on channel two.”
Sarah and Tom can then have an in-depth conversation over the radio without bothering the rest of the staff.
Quality Brands Make a Difference
You need a radio that is not going to fall apart within a year. You need one that will last so you’re not throwing away money.
Motorola and Kenwood two-way Radios are the most quality brands on the market because they are purpose-built for reliable communication with a durable build.
Designed to be easy to use and intuitive their radio series are affordable, cost-effective and eliminate monthly cell phone plans.
Tested for 5 years of field use, Motorola and Kenwood make sure you see a return on your investment.
Not to mention the included manufacturer warranty (1-3 years depending on model).
What features make a great arena radio?
- Loud, Clear Audio – Radios must cut through crowd noise so messages are heard the first time.
- Noise-Canceling Microphones – To prevent background stadium noise from interfering with communication.
- Long Battery Life – Staff are on their feet for hours; radios need to last the entire event.
- Rugged Durability – Drops, spills, and weather exposure are common. Radios should be built tough.
- Hands-Free Options – Earpieces and shoulder mics help staff stay mobile while staying connected.
- Multiple Channels – Essential for separating departments like security, concessions, and guest services.
- Encryption/Secure Channels – For sensitive communications, especially between security and management.
- Indoor Range Performance – Radios should work clearly across concrete walls, tunnels, and upper levels.
- Emergency Features – Panic buttons or man-down alerts can be lifesaving in critical situations.
- Ease of Use – Simple controls so staff can focus on their job, not figuring out how to talk to each other.
Our Top Two-Way Radio Picks for Stadiums
To help you with your selection, we've highlighted several different models below that are perfect for stadiums of every size.
These recommendations come from our own experience working with thousands of these radios. Each one has a rock-solid history and great reputation.
Given the structural (physical and team) nature of a stadium, we recommend high watt radios with many channels.
Small Arenas
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Ultra-slim, durable, and superior audio clarity for larger coverage needs.
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Larger Stadiums - Multiple Buildings
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Extended coverage comes with a larger antenna. Durable build.
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Best Unlimited Coverage (LTE & Wi-Fi Enabled)
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Ideal for operations across multiple locations, cities or states.
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Request a Quote for Bulk Purchases
Need to equip your team? We want to help!
Make sure to request a quote for our best possible pricing.
We are here for you!
If you have any questions on which radio is right for your stadium – do not hesitate to reach out to our support team.
We have a very knowledgeable staff with over 25 years of experience in the two-way radio industry that can answer all your questions.
You can’t get rid of us that easily after purchase - we include lifetime tech support to be there for you every step of the way!