Emerging Technologies In Football Stadium Security
Just as in any large commercial environment open to the public, the safety and security of all attendees, employees and professionals within football stadiums has always been of utmost importance. However, the unique layout and design quirks of the English Football League’s 92 professional football stadiums can present significant challenges for on-site security staff.
In response to the historic disasters and football violence incidents of the 1970’s and 80’s, as well as more recent tragedies such as the Manchester Arena Bombing of 2017, concerted efforts to strengthen existing stadium security protocols have been explored by authorities, stadium owners and the English Football League continuously across all levels of the game.
These efforts can be seen in official guidance published by governing bodies like FIFA, with section 5.4 of their Stadium Guidelines stating “All stadiums should be equipped with a Venue Operations Centre (VOC), from where safety and security operations at the stadium can be monitored and controlled”. But how do modern stadiums comply with these rules? In answer to this question with support from emerging technologies in football stadium security.
Intelligent video analytics software
The installation and operation of high-tech security cameras have been a staple of effective football stadium security for years. However, recent developments in smart technology have enabled security staff to dramatically improve the functionality of traditional CCTV solutions.
Advanced video analytics software can now be integrated into existing commercial security camera systems, with AI-informed technology used to continuously monitor key locations in search of suspicious activity. Smart cameras are able to detect common threats like crowds forming in unusual locations or the presence of contraband items, with real-time alerts sent to on-site security staff to provide an appropriate response and speed up intervention times.
This technology is far from uncommon in football stadiums around the world, with examples found in Denmark’s Brondby Stadium and Spain’s El Sadar Stadium. Given the potential for such solutions to improve threat responses, AI analytics may prove vital to football security.
Adaptive access control systems
Similar AI-informed technologies are also being explored by authorities for use in improving stadium access control systems. The previously mentioned Brondby and El Sadar stadiums use facial recognition to provide ticket holders with touchless access to stadium facilities, with said systems also used to prevent banned or unauthorised persons from gaining entry.
In addition, mobile-based access control solutions are also commonly deployed in football stadiums across the globe. Attending fans are issued time-based digital tickets straight to their personal smartphones, helping staff limit the flow of people accessing core facilities.
Other solutions include automated double-leaf gates installed in strategic locations around stadium grounds. These devices help to separate crowds into smaller partitions while still enabling rapid crowd exits where appropriate, aiding staff in preventing surges and crushes.
Technology-influenced crowd control
Crowd control as a security measure is not limited only to access control, with many modern stadiums also using smart technologies to reduce risks associated with overcrowding in and around stadium concourses. This can be achieved subtly by prioritising both touchless and cashless payment solutions designed to control the flow of customers during breaks in play.
Attendees can pre-order food and drinks from their smartphones during the game, with the system then notifying customers when their orders are ready to collect. This approach can help organisers to reduce overcrowding during intervals by staggering order fulfilment times.
Touchless technology can also be used to ease congestion around other areas of the venue, including bathrooms and VIP bars. When coupled with previously mentioned video analytics tools, staff can collect real-time occupancy data to inform in-person crowd control measures.
Smart sensors and remote management
Finally, to improve the efficacy of individual emerging security technologies, stadium owners may wish to explore the development of smart sensor arrays and wider cloud-based security management systems. By connecting data feeds from access control and crowd intelligence and CCTV systems to a cloud management platform, automated responses can be created.
Internet of Things (IoT) devices, including sound, pressure and motion sensors can be used to activate connected security tools, effectively acting as an early warning system. Security personnel can then be immediately notified via secure communications to enact a response.
Cloud-based management systems enable on-site teams to quickly review live information collected from multiple sources. Meaning if a motion sensor is triggered in an unusual area, teams can instantly review nearby cameras and occupancy sensors to investigate incidents promptly. Pursuing such integrations can help staff to make efficient use of limited resources.
Summary
The safety and security of football stadium attendees continues to be a top priority for both stadium staff and football authorities, with all stakeholders invested in developing new and interesting ways to improve existing systems. From AI video analytics systems designed to improve threat detection, to smart crowd control measures helping staff to ease congestion, emerging technologies in football stadium security are facilitating a safer experience for all.
Photo by Ambitious Studio* – Rick Barrett on Unsplash
