With the emergence of carbon neutrality and peak carbon emissions goals, coupled with the rapid expansion of the digital economy, digital technologies have a significant impact on environmental governance. This study, based on panel data from 247 Chinese cities spanning 2007 to 2021, employs multiperiod DID and SDM to examine the impact of digital infrastructure on urban ecological efficiency. Findings indicate a positive relationship between digital infrastructure and urban ecological efficiency, consistent across various robustness tests. Resource-based cities in both the eastern and western regions, as well as those implementing pilot policies, benefit more from digital infrastructure. The study identifies three main channels through which digital infrastructure affects ecological efficiency: promoting green innovation, supporting information platforms, and upgrading industrial structures. Additionally, it notes a negative spatial spillover effect on neighboring cities’ ecological efficiency. By integrating digital infrastructure and urban ecological efficiency, this study offers insights into their spatial dynamics, informing future research and policy implementation in this area.