From Ticketing to Payments: Biometrics in the Live Events Industry

• Biometric technology is rapidly being used in live events for ticketing, credentialing, and improving fan experiences, with solutions like as MLB’s Go-Ahead Entry dramatically lowering wait times.
• The privacy problems surrounding biometrics in stadiums are being addressed through regulatory compliance, alternative approaches, and a focus on inclusion and security.
• Beyond events, biometrics are altering global payment networks, with Mastercard and Visa offering options such as pay-by-palm and biometric authentication before 2030.

Biometric technology is increasingly being adopted at sports and other live events to improve ticketing, credentialing, and the sale of concessions, merchandise, and alcohol, according to a report by BiometricUpdate.com on Tuesday (31 December).

The report highlighted various examples of biometric solutions being implemented by companies and organisations across the United States, Europe, and Latin America. Wicket, Veridas, Clear, and NEC are among the firms that offer live event management software.

According to the study, nearly half of the world’s live event venues identify biometrics as a major priority in 2025. Recent installations include a facial biometrics system in the 85,000-capacity Mâs Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina; and a biometric identification verification system for the Betplay League final in Medellín’s Atanasio Girardot stadium.

According to the report “Novel ID Verification Technologies in Stadiums Can Change the Game Beyond Sports,” the MLB’s Go-Ahead admission system is said to minimise stadium admission wait times by up to 68%. This system integrates facial recognition technology with ticket accounts, resulting in a touchless, quick, and secure admission experience. This is just one manner in which digital identity verification and blockchain ticketing could enhance the fan experience.

However, these advances have raised privacy concerns among fans, who are concerned about data abuse and increased surveillance. According to the report, these issues can be overcome by adopting alternative ways such as barcode scanning, adhering to legal frameworks, and emphasising inclusivity and dependability.

Biometrics are used for more than only live events. Mastercard, for example, stated in November that it would phase out the use of card numbers, static passwords, and one-time codes for online purchases. This procedure will be replaced with a combination of tokenisation and biometric authentication, with the corporation aiming for global adoption by 2030.

Similarly, in September, Visa and Tencent launched a pay-by-palm option in Singapore, with intentions to expand to other locations. Users can make payments with a simple wave of their hand after registering once, which ties their biometric data to a Visa payment token.

As biometrics evolve, they have the potential to alter not only the live event sector but also payment systems, providing new levels of convenience while resolving privacy and security concerns.