Biometric Screening Expected to Be Key to 2026 World Cup Fan Influx

With sports-related travel surging, biometric security technology will play an increasingly important role from the border to the stadium gates. As Travel and Tour World notes, this summer’s Copa America tournament witnessed an 11 percent increase in arrivals from participating countries compared to the previous year—and the 2026 FIFA World Cup will prove to be an even bigger event, with more intense security needs.

Fortunately, government efforts have been focusing on enhancing security and operational efficiency by implementing biometric technology at transportation checkpoints.

Biometric systems, such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, are being introduced to improve the accuracy and speed of identity verification processes at airports. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has reported that these technologies have over 99 percent accuracy in confirming travelers’ identities. Biometric verification also allows for real-time checks against security databases, aiding in the prevention of potential threats.

Public acceptance of biometric technology is high, with a survey by U.S. Travel and Ipsos indicating that four out of five travelers support its use at TSA checkpoints. The primary reasons cited include improved security measures against terrorism and human trafficking, as well as increased efficiency in the travel experience.

Earlier this year Clear expanded its TSA PreCheck enrollment program to seven more airports, bringing the total number of locations to 40 across the U.S. The new sites include Boston Logan, Cleveland Hopkins, Columbus, Kansas City, Palm Beach, Raleigh-Durham, and Tulsa International Airports. Travelers can enroll without an appointment, using their passport or another approved ID. Clear’s CEO, Caryn Seidman-Becker, highlighted the enhanced convenience this brings to travelers, offering faster enrollment and extended hours.

Biometric technology has also already been in use for a number of years at sports venues throughout the U.S. In July, Kansas City’s Kauffman Stadium was the latest ballpark to implement the MLB “Go-Ahead Entry” system, offering face-based stadium access for expedited entry to baseball games.

Fans can register via the MLB Ballpark app by taking a selfie, which is converted into a numerical token linked to their tickets, allowing entry through dedicated biometric lanes without showing tickets. The system, provided by NEC’s NeoFace facial recognition technology, has already been introduced at several other MLB stadiums, resulting in a 68 percent faster entry process compared to traditional methods. NeoFace has been praised for its accuracy, identifying individuals correctly 99.85 percent of the time, and showing no significant demographic bias in its performance.

Wicket, meanwhile, has been making strides in football stadiums through its partnership with the Cleveland Browns. Building on the success of face-based entry systems, Wicket has now expanded into biometric payments for concessions, allowing fans to purchase food and drinks simply by scanning their face.

Early data from the Cleveland Browns’ recent games indicates a strong interest in the service, with a notable percentage of transactions processed biometrically, reducing wait times and enhancing fan convenience. This new capability not only complements the biometric entry systems deployed by MLB but also highlights the potential for a broader adoption of facial recognition technology across multiple sports and stadiums, paving the way for a more seamless, efficient fan experience.

Source: TTW

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October 7, 2024 – by Tony Bitzionis and Alex Perala