Incode redefines safety in the soccer experience across national stadiums in Mexico.

Industries: Event Experiences, Sports
Use Cases: Fan Verification, Event Access
Solution: Fan ID

BENEFITS

  • Reinforced security with real-time identity verification at 17 stadiums, during over 110 matches.
  • Achieved a remarkable 16% surge in stadium attendance compared to last season.
  • Enrolled more than 770,000 fans from 45 countries with a diverse array of over 150 ID types accepted.
  • Enhanced overall user satisfaction – an impressive 66.7% of users found Fan ID registration process to be straightforward and hassle-free.

Client

Orlegi Sports, a prominent sports management firm deeply engaged in Mexican soccer, especially within Liga MX, the nation’s premier professional soccer league, has joined forces with Incode Technologies to revolutionize safety standards and fan experience at soccer stadiums across Mexico through Fan ID – an app enabling advanced identity verification of fans. This collaborative effort aligned with the guidelines and regulations established by the Mexican Soccer Federation (FMF), aiming to enhance the safety of the sporting experience.

CONTEXT

Biometric identity verification systems are swiftly asserting their importance in the management of logistics and security at large-scale sports events worldwide. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into these systems has ushered in a new era of accuracy and efficiency, transforming event attendance by making it faster and more convenient, while also bolstering safety and security measures.

The rationale behind the widespread implementation of these technologies at ticketed venues is multifaceted:

  • Enhanced User Experience: AI-powered identity verification systems eliminate the hassle of fumbling for tickets or passes at entrances, delivering an intuitive, user-friendly, and seamless experience.
  • Reinforced Security: By binding permissions to individuals, organizations introduce an additional layer of security, effectively curtailing unauthorized access to specific areas or individuals. The research shows that people are less likely to cause trouble when they know they can be identified after the fact.
  • Contactless Convenience: Biometrics promote smooth and hygienic entry through contactless interactions, aligning with health and safety expectations.

CHALLENGES

Ensuring the well-being of attendees at stadiums, along with their seamless and enjoyable experience, remain an enduring priority in the world of sports and entertainment. While the proliferation of game broadcasts has undoubtedly brought soccer to a wider audience, it has also made identifying violent fans more complex. Soccer authorities strive to identify and eliminate troublemakers while keeping the game accessible and enjoyable. Identifying culprits from the wealth of available footage poses a formidable challenge for law enforcement. Violent fans frequently conceal their identities with disguises or hoods, leaving security personnel to sift through hours of footage to hold them accountable.

In the aftermath of one of the most violent days in Mexico’s sporting history, on March 5th, 2022, when a Liga MX match between Mexican clubs Atlas and Querétaro turned violent as fans clashed, the sporting authorities ignited calls for change in Mexican soccer, leading to the implementation of transformative identity verification solutions that could serve as a model for leagues worldwide facing similar challenges.

SOLUTION

Developed by the leading identity-proofing provider, Incode, Fan ID emerged as a groundbreaking new technology for widespread consumer adoption. Its primary goal was to enhance the safety, security, and privacy of fans and clubs, all while preserving the accessibility and enjoyment of the game. The project’s key success factors included creating a centralized solution with a uniform adoption process for fans across Mexico, simplifying registration for any game and stadium.

Fan ID is a fully in-house developed solution, driven by AI, that leverages the latest facial recognition advancements. It can swiftly process tens of thousands of personal data files, enabling instant verification of every individual entering a stadium with just a simple selfie taken on a smartphone. The solution comes with mechanisms to gain the consent of users when they register for the platform. For stadium authorities, this digital ID serves as a robust tool for identifying potential troublemakers and monitoring attendance. Meanwhile, for fans, it offers a swift and straightforward method to contribute to a safer environment for all event-goers.

Following a smooth onboarding process, the identity authentication at stadiums is divided into two steps:

1) QR code scanning:
This step involves extracting a biometric template from the QR code. The biometric data within the QR code ensures the fan’s true identity, eliminating the anonymity that previously shielded violent fans from accountability.

2) Identity validation:
In this phase, the system captures the fan’s facial data. The system also adds the biometric of identified offenders to a restricted access list.

RESULTS

• Enhanced security with user consent:

The solution is designed with robust consent mechanisms, ensuring users’ agreement during registration. Fan ID operates on an encryption process that upholds the utmost security standards, safeguarding user information. Adhering to relevant regulations, Incode’s identification mechanism bolsters stadium security without compromising fans’ personal data integrity. Incode aspires to instill greater user confidence in embracing this technology.

• Improved convenience and efficiency

With security concerns on the rise, soccer fans have been asked to provide proof of identity and submit to extensive bag and body searches. This intrusive process stands in the way of the fun, family-friendly atmosphere most clubs are keen to promote. Fan ID offers a convenient and efficient solution, allowing fans to seamlessly have all needed information on their smartphones.

Public Security Agency congratulated Fan ID’s effectiveness during the reopening of the Queretaro stadium (where a serious violence incident occurred). The app draws on Incode’s track record of continuous evaluation with iBeta Level 2 conformance and NIST certification, to provide a one-stop shop for real-time verification and authentication. The solution supports various ID types. To date it improved operational efficiency at 17 stadiums, during over 110 matches, achieving a remarkable 16% surge in stadium attendance compared to last season.

• Reinvented stadium security

Fan ID removes the cloak of anonymity that has traditionally protected violent fans from being held accountable for their actions. With their identity securely registered in the app’s QR code, fans who misbehave are recorded on their ID, creating a lasting record that can be used against them. Depending on the severity of the offense, authorities could issue a range of sanctions from fines to temporary or permanent exclusion from all stadiums across Mexico. In extreme cases, Fan ID could even support criminal prosecutions, providing a powerful deterrent against violence.

• Elevated fan engagement

Since the introduction of Fan ID at the Clausura 2023 tournament, the response from fans and stadium officials has been overwhelmingly positive. An impressive 66.7% of users found the Fan ID registration process to be straightforward and hassle-free. This revolutionary app has demonstrated its ability to offer quick verification for all fans entering the game, providing clubs with complete knowledge of who has entered each match and their past history of behavior. It is clear that this app could be a game-changer in combating serious violence at top soccer matches around the world.
Fan ID removes the cloak of anonymity that has traditionally protected violent fans from being held accountable for their actions. With their identity securely registered in the app’s QR code, fans who misbehave are recorded on their ID, creating a lasting record that can be used against them. Depending on the severity of the offense, authorities could issue a range of sanctions from fines to temporary or permanent exclusion from all stadiums across Mexico. In extreme cases, Fan ID could even support criminal prosecutions, providing a powerful deterrent against violence.

• Elevated fan engagement

Since the introduction of Fan ID at the Clausura 2023 tournament, the response from fans and stadium officials has been overwhelmingly positive. An impressive 66.7% of users found the Fan ID registration process to be straightforward and hassle-free. This revolutionary app has demonstrated its ability to offer quick verification for all fans entering the game, providing clubs with complete knowledge of who has entered each match and their past history of behavior. It is clear that this app could be a game-changer in combating serious violence at top soccer matches around the world.

SUMMARY

In close collaboration with the Mexican league, Incode adapted the Fan ID solution to meet the unique needs of soccer fans, creating an app that is seamless, secure, and welcoming to all soccer enthusiasts. By accurately identifying every fan entering the stadium and preventing unauthorized access by individuals with previous offenses, Fan ID has significantly enhanced operational efficiency for soccer authorities. Moreover, it equipped security staff with advanced and modern tools to excel in their demanding roles.

Fan ID serves both as a deterrent and a source of reassurance for long-time fans. Incode’s proven technology has demonstrated its ability to handle vast data demands while ensuring the personal information of fans remains secure.

The commitment to safety and convenience isn’t just a matter of practicality but a foundational element in crafting memorable and enjoyable experiences for fans, visitors, and audiences at large-scale stadium events worldwide. As stadium officials and fans worldwide anticipate the next phase of Fan ID, it’s evident that this app has the potential to become the standard for security at top soccer matches. All eyes are on its future, and the soccer community eagerly anticipates its continued success.

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About Incode

Incode is the leading provider of world-class identity solutions that is reinventing the way humans authenticate and verify their identity online to power a world of digital trust. Incode’s revolutionary identity solutions are unleashing the business potential of universal industries including the world’s largest financial institutions, governments, retailers, hospitality organizations, and gaming establishments by reducing fraud and ultimately, transforming human interactions with data, products, and services.