Facial recognition technology coming to an arena or stadium near you

James Dolan, owner of the New York Knicks and Rangers and CEO of the company that operates Madison Square Garden, is apparently a man of many enemies. His company used the facial recognition software—which MSG has had since 2018—to scan for attorneys from an estimated 90 law firms with active litigation against the company, and ban them.

Expect more arenas and stadiums to adopt this technology.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, announced in August 2022 that it was testing facial recognition technology for gates and concession stands.

Other venues making use of facial recognition tech.

● FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, which offers “Express Access” with facial recognition technology.

● Citi Field in New York City, which has face-ID ticket kiosks at stadium gates.

● Pechanga Arena in San Diego, which installed facial recognition for entry scanning and payment verification.

● Save Mart Center at California State University, Fresno, which enables entry and payment with facial recognition tech.

● Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio, which has express entry with face-ID ticketing.

● FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, which uses facial recognition for entry.

● Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, which uses facial recognition tech for entry into training facilities.

● Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, which announced in 2022 that it was installing facial recognition for ticketing and concessions.

● Sun Devil Stadium at Arizona State University in Tempe, which was being used as a “living lab” to employ facial recognition technology that will analyze how fans feel “based on their facial expressions.” (Disclosure: ASU is a partner with Slate and New America in Future Tense.)

● Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, which uses facial recognition for ticketing.

● BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, which began using facial recognition technology for entry into training facilities but wants to “move everything to face.”

● The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, which used facial recognition on 30,000 attendees without their knowledge in 2020.