Facial ticketing provider Wicket has processed more than five million Express Entry scans at live events through its opt-in system, which links a selfie to a ticket for walk-through entry via facial scanners.
The University of Florida became the first college venue to deploy Express Entry, introducing face-based stadium access for the 2025 football season. Fans enroll by uploading a selfie, then pass through dedicated lanes where scanners match their facial template to their ticket. The program is voluntary and processes biometric data locally through Wicket rather than the university, according to University of Florida’s deployment announcement.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have implemented Express Entry at Raymond James Stadium, allowing fans to use facial recognition linked to their Ticketmaster accounts while maintaining traditional ticket scanning as an alternative. Tampa Bay’s system overview outlines how the team has extended Wicket’s technology to staff and credentialed areas.
Major League Soccer’s LAFC has introduced BMO Stadium Express, using Wicket’s technology to enable facial authentication for both entry and concessions. LAFC’s implementation report describes its integration into broader matchday operations.
Wicket’s system converts facial images into encrypted templates processed locally and stored under team or venue control. The company emphasizes that participation remains optional and that traditional ticketing lanes continue to operate in parallel.
The milestone of five million scans marks a wider move toward biometric access in live entertainment. Competitors such as SecureGate.ai and Veridas are expanding into hybrid systems that combine face recognition with threat detection and crowd analytics, highlighting how stadium entry technologies are evolving toward multimodal security frameworks.
Sources: University of Florida; Tampa Bay Buccaneers; LAFC; Wicket
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
