Wicket has expanded its agreement with Major League Soccer to deploy facial authentication across multiple MLS league events in 2026, extending work that began through the league’s Innovation Lab and earlier deployments at MLS NEXT competitions and the 2025 MLS All-Star Game in Austin.
The company positions the technology as an identity layer for event operations, designed to speed up check-in and reduce manual verification for large, credential-heavy environments. “Our work with MLS over the past two years proved that biometric identity can meaningfully improve how large-scale soccer events operate,” said Glenn Borgmann, head of partnerships for Wicket. “This expanded partnership takes that momentum further, delivering faster check-in, better operational visibility, and a foundation for smarter fan engagement across the league.”
Expanded rollout across MLS NEXT events
In its 2025 deployments, Wicket said it supported streamlined coach check-in and daily food voucher distribution at MLS NEXT events, allowing coaches to enroll in advance and verify on arrival without physical credentials or QR codes. In 2026, MLS plans to use Wicket at additional youth and development events, including the Generation Adidas Cup (March 27 to April 4), MLS NEXT Flex (April 23 to April 28), and MLS NEXT Cup (May 23 to May 31).
Wicket’s facial ticketing model has been gaining traction in sports and live events, typically as an opt-in lane tied to a ticketing account rather than a replacement for standard entry. Recent deployments have included club-specific programs such as LAFC’s face-based entry and payments rollout, alongside broader adoption of express-entry systems that link a selfie to a ticket for walk-through authentication.
From operations to ticketing, payments, and data insights
MLS and Wicket said the expanded agreement is also intended to support additional initiatives beyond event operations, including faster and more personalized access that can extend to ticketing, payments, and credentialing, as well as data insights designed to help MLS and its clubs better understand and engage with fans. Wicket said its technology is already in use by several MLS clubs, including LAFC, the Columbus Crew, and Atlanta United.
“Wicket’s technology aligns with our goal of delivering best-in-class experiences for players, staff, and fans, which is incredibly valuable during 2026, an iconic year that will be full of opportunity for both our sport and our league,” said Chris Schlosser, MLS senior vice president of Emerging Ventures, Apple Partnership. “Our work with Wicket in 2025 showed how much more effective facial authentication is, and our continued agreement will allow us to scale efficiently as our footprint grows. We’re thrilled with what we’ve been able to achieve with Wicket, and are honored to continue collaborating with such an innovative and forward-looking organization.”
The expanded agreement arrives ahead of the 2026 MLS season, which MLS said will kick off on February 21 and 22 with a full slate of 15 season-opening matches.
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
