Note: This post was updated in March 2025 with new information on stadium security.
Unfortunately, many sports enthusiasts prefer to watch games from the comfort of their homes to avoid the many hassles and unavoidable issues they must go through in stadiums — like finding a parking space or waiting in long bathroom lines. Further, COVID-19 has intensified the security challenges before and during a game.
All of these put immense pressure on stadium administrators to focus on three main areas:
- Increase profitability by luring fans away from their homes, their big-screen TVs, and refrigerators nearby.
- Boosting security levels, amidst a pandemic. Taking into account and facilitating occupancy limits, crowd detection, social distancing, and the wearing of proper face protection.
- Minimizing operating costs by utilizing smart technologies, and conserving energy with smart building management systems.
With scalable, innovative cameras and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, it is easier than ever to maneuver large numbers of people with maximum safety and efficiency. Internet of Things (IoT) is the World Wide Web becoming integrated into the physical world through smart security cameras equipped with innovative sensors and applications to successfully address the current needs of stadiums.
Besides helping stadiums enforce mandated health requirements to stop the spread of the virus, smart technologies can also assist with:
Easier Visitor Parking
Finding a parking space for a big event can quickly become an impossible mission. However, networked security cameras can help users detect free parking spaces and control the flow of traffic at peak times to prevent traffic jams.
Less Wait Times
Visitor flows can be analyzed, controlled, and strategically diverted at stadiums, particularly at cash registers and toilets, to provide fans with a more pleasant experience.
Detection of suspicious activity
Smart cameras can help identify problematic behavior from aggressive fans by analyzing video data — e.g., movement patterns or clothing — which results in reduced response times. The solution can also detect firearms, explosives, and dangerous individuals, thanks to facial recognition capabilities.
A smart stadium can offer engaging and enjoyable games and protect visitors and staff with advanced cameras and IoT sensors. The latest technologies allow for a greater understanding of attendee behavior, increase attendee satisfaction, and boost operational efficiency.
Video Analytics and Stadium Security
Merging all video, data, and audio from multiple sources, concertedly, with video analytics, is the best way to improve visitor safety and experience.
By incorporating video analytics software to their security system, stadium managers are able to:
- Improve crowd control by identifying crowd bottlenecks, detecting the direction of foot traffic to prevent stampedes, and alerting in real-time health and safety executives if congestion happens.
- Reduce the risk of heat-related illness when fans have to wait in long lines out in the heat. With the assistance of facial recognition, visitors can get into the arena through different entrance gates simultaneously.
- Avoid ticket fraud with contactless electronic or mobile credentials. This information can be integrated to help customers find more efficient paths to go to the restroom or visit the snack bar, taking into account where they are seated.
- Enhance security by preventing the entry of people with a recent history of violence into stadiums. And by monitoring the venue 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Security operators receive notifications if a suspect is identified.
- Optimize processes, since it is extremely difficult to manually identify and track potential threats. This is an arduous task that can be effectively simplified with video analytics.
- Make better decisions. Stadiums can easily sort through all obtained data from their video cameras and access control systems and have access to actionable insights that lead to better decisions.
- Increase revenue since these real-time insights can also be strategically utilized by marketing executives to study fans' behavior, identify better placement for banners, and improve merchandising tactics.
- Host healthier events by reducing the risk of spreading viruses.
- Reduce security costs. Video analytics technology reduces the need for a physical security presence while offering better accuracy at detecting issues.
Integrating a unified video analytics solution with advanced video surveillance and access control systems is the most robust, and efficient method to approach safety and security in sports arenas.