New Tech in Sports: Biometric ID Hits Stadiums Globally

"Biometric identification is becoming increasingly prevalent in sports stadiums and arenas around the world. In Cyprus, authorities have announced an upgrade of its stadium surveillance system with a new facial recognition technology that matches up to 80 points on an individual’s face against a central database within minutes. 

Currently, facial matches in stadiums take three to five days, Giorgos Karas, Chairman of the Stadium Licensing Authority told media this week. The move comes after a Cyprus Cup football match at Limassol’s new Alpha Mega stadium had to be canceled due to hooligan incidents in January. 

Over in Adelaide, Australia, Cooper Stadium is joining the rising number of sporting venues implementing facial recognition. Sydney’s Allianz Stadium and Melbourne’s Rectangular Stadium, known as AAMI Park, both introduced the technology last year. First trials at Cooper Stadium, also known as Hindmarsh Stadium, started in March during the A-League Pride Cup match between Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory. 

Brazil is showing that facial recognition can be a useful tool not just against football hooligans. In July, authorities in the capital of São Paulo apprehended a member of the largest criminal organization in the Brazilian state of Bahia. Rogério Barbosa da Silva Gois, known as R6, was identified by the software at São Paulo’s Allianz Park stadium during a football match between Palmeiras and Bahia in the Brasileirão, the country’s primary football competition. 

Meanwhile, authorities are taking other approaches to curbing football violence, including identity authentication. In January, Greece introduced a new ticketing system for football matches which relies on a government identification app. The Gov.gr Wallet app was introduced after a police officer died after football fan riots in Athens in December last year. 

Other countries are also introducing similar solutions. In preparation for preseason games starting on August 8, all 30 National Football League (NFL) stadiums in the U.S. have rolled out Express Entry facial authentication from biometrics company Wicket. 

  Information 

Biometric identification is the use of unique physical or behavioral characteristics, such as fingerprints, facial features, or iris scans, to identify individuals. In the context of sports stadiums, biometric identification can be used to enhance security, prevent hooliganism, and improve the overall fan experience. 

Wicket is a biometrics company that specializes in facial authentication and identity verification solutions. The company’s Express Entry system uses facial recognition technology to quickly and accurately identify individuals, allowing for faster and more secure entry to sports stadiums and other venues.

Planet Group Arena, formerly Ghelamco Arena, is a stadium located in the Belgian city of Ghent. The stadium has trialed palm-based ticketing as part of its efforts to enhance security and improve the fan experience. 

Veridas is a biometrics company that provides identity verification solutions for a range of industries, including sports and entertainment. The company’s biometric solutions are used in El Sadar stadium in Spain to enhance security and prevent hooliganism. 

Gov.gr Wallet is a government identification app introduced in Greece to enhance security and prevent hooliganism at football matches. The app uses a government-issued ID to verify the identity of ticket holders and prevent unauthorized entry to stadiums. 

"Q: What is biometric identification?

A: Biometric identification is the use of unique physical or behavioral characteristics, such as fingerprints, facial features, or iris scans, to identify individuals.

Q: How is biometric identification used in sports stadiums?

A: Biometric identification is used in sports stadiums to enhance security, prevent hooliganism, and improve the overall fan experience.

Q: What is facial recognition technology?

A: Facial recognition technology is a type of biometric identification that uses facial features to identify individuals.

Q: How does facial recognition technology work?

A: Facial recognition technology uses a database of facial images to match against images of individuals in real-time, allowing for quick and accurate identification.

Q: What are the benefits of using biometric identification in sports stadiums?

A: The benefits of using biometric identification in sports stadiums include enhanced security, improved fan experience, and prevention of hooliganism."