Seamless Stadium Security: High Throughput Screening With OPENGATE

Screen more fans, faster—reducing queues and pinch points while keeping threat detection consistent and proportionate.

We speak to Zak Khachik, CEIA’s Stadium, Venue and Events Lead for the UK, specialising in high throughput screening solutions for major sports grounds, arenas and largescale events to find out how OPENGATE® is changing the way stadium operators think about access.

OPENGATE® is designed for extremely high throughput and faster screening, helping reduce queues and pinch points at the perimeter. What is the maximum entry rate at peak arrival to avoid safety-critical crowding and late kick-off surges?

In live stadium environments, OPENGATE consistently delivers up to 4,000 people per hour, depending on the security standard selected in conjunction with the stadium bag policy and effective crowd management plane, considerations for fan behaviour and stewarding.

The real value is not just the throughput, it’s the stability of flow. Fans walk through naturally, without stopping or divesting, which prevents the stop/start congestion that creates safety critical pressure at pinch points and peak arrival times. When managing peak arrivals 20–40 minutes before kickoff, OPENGATE provides the capacity and resilience needed to avoid late surges, queue anxiety and the operational risks of fans outside at kick-off or worst-case delayed kick-off.

How can it improve the fan experience without weakening threat detection?

The quality and level of mass security and stewarding deployments often can result in inconsistency of levels of manual search and screening. OPENGATE performs a consistent and high level of sensitivity detection of firearms and large metallic threats, but without the intrusive, time-consuming divestment process.

OPENGATE enhances the fan experience because it removes friction without removing control. Fans keep items in their pockets, walk through at a natural pace, and only receive a secondary check if the system alerts. The result is a calmer and consistent level of screening, with a more welcoming ingress where fans feel safe, not scrutinised and clubs maintain a robust, proportionate security posture.

How will this integrate with existing search regimes already in place?

OPENGATE is designed to slot directly into existing search policies rather than replace them. Most clubs adopt a layered approach to search and screening:

– OPENGATE for mass screening

– Targeted bag checks when the system alerts

– Behavioural detection and steward engagement as the human layer

– Bag searches at turnstiles

– Canine detection

This approach reduces unnecessary bag searches, improves consistency and ensures clubs remain compliant with their Safety Certificate and SAG expectations.

It also frees stewards to focus on communication and customer service rather than repetitive manual checks.

What is the business case for OPENGATE from a staffing, setup time, resilience and continuity of operations perspective?

The business case is stadium dependent as OPENGATE is only part of the overall security posture.

Staffing efficiency: Fewer stewards are needed per lane compared to manual search lanes, and their roles shift from manual searching to engagement and oversight.

Setup time: Units can be deployed in under a minute, reducing pre-event labour and allowing rapid reconfiguration during events.

Resilience: If a lane becomes congested or a gate needs to be opened, OPENGATE can be moved instantly maintaining flow and reducing operational risk.

Continuity: Portable, battery powered units ensure screening continues even during power issues or unexpected infrastructure failures. For clubs, this can translate into lower operating costs, higher reliability and a safer, smoother ingress experience for fans.

What advice would you give clubs preparing for future legislation and evolving security expectations?

Invest in systems that are flexible, scalable and proportionate. OPENGATE is not just a piece of equipment, it’s a tool that helps clubs demonstrate they are taking reasonable, practical steps to protect fans.

The clubs that are ahead of the curve are those who:

– Test new technologies now

– Train stewards in modern, engagement led approaches

– Build layered, intelligence driven security models

– Document decisions clearly for governance and oversight

OPENGATE fits naturally into that future ready mindset. Find out more at: www.ceia.net  zak.khachik@ceia.co.uk

Images: CEIA