NFL to Deploy Facial Recognition Software to Stadiums League-Wide

On August 8, the NFL will deploy new facial recognition technology at its thirty-two stadiums across various states.

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The new facial recognition software is called Wicket and is powered by AI. The new system is designed to reduce the time it takes people to enter and exit stadiums, verify credentials and allow staff to move around stadiums more easily. Interestingly, the software is primarily designed to help officials with credentials verify their identity in restricted areas and prevent any fraudulent attempts to use fake physical credentials.

For ticket holders, some teams have extended the technology to customers, requiring customers to link their ticket account to a selfie with a facial image. Wicket’s software will create a unique digital code that represents the customer’s facial features rather than storing an actual image of the person.

Customers who register using the new technology will have access to designated lanes equipped with cameras that scan the ticket holder’s face and compare it directly to a stored digital code linked to their facial structure.

Interestingly, the new facial recognition technology has an accuracy of over 99.7% and reduces the time it takes to check tickets to just two seconds. In addition, 25 of the top 100 football stadiums use facial recognition technology to monitor fans.