Press

The Mets exhibited facial recognition ticketing system on Thursday at Citi Field as part of a showcase of the ballpark’s new amenities for 2022. Computer vision company Wicket has partnered with the Mets to add its facial ticket kiosks at all stadium gates after a pilot last season.

As part of the stadium’s digital renovation, Citi Field, in partnership with Wicket, has adopted face-recognition technology. The new feature, dubbed Mets Entry Express, will allow fans to opt-in and enroll to upload face recognition similar to that used by iPhones.

Esta tecnología empezó a probarse en el verano de 2020. En aquel momento, se usó para controlar la entrada de los jugadores al campo. Ahora, según informa Sporttechie, se instalará a partir del año próximo en las puertas de entrada principales del Citi Field.

Mets Entry Express is an optional face biometric ticketing program for faster, touchless ballpark entry through dedicated lanes, with easy online enrollment. The program launched with Wicket’s biometric technology in August, 2021, allowing fans to enter without showing a ticket or their phone.

Wicket, whose facial ticketing system has also been used by the Cleveland Browns and Columbus Crew, will officially serve as the Facial Authentication partner at Citi Field. Staff at Citi Field will also use Wicket’s facial scanning to gain access to high-security areas such as the stadium’s clubhouse and front offices.  

The New York Mets have chosen Wicket as their Facial Authentication partner at Citi Field to enhance the fan experience. The Mets and Wicket will focus on deploying a series of facial authentication applications at the ballpark, beginning with facial ticketing and facial access control for staff and vendors.

“This technology has cut the time it takes to get into the stadium by more than 50 percent. When it comes to funnelling thousands of fans into the stadium at the same time, this adds up to significant time savings.” 

Brandon Covert.

VP of IT for Haslam Sports Group

“If you’re enrolled in the free Crew Express Access program it takes about a half a second for the Wicket Kiosk to recognize you, and you’re in,” Covert said. “And with one scan, an entire group can walk in. With regular mobile ticketing, you can’t do that, you still have to scan every bar code.”

Express Access is the latest initiative through the Browns’ Responsible Restart Plan, which was enacted in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and will remain in place to provide fans with the safest and best possible experience when they attend Browns games at FirstEnergy Stadium.

SportsPro on Wicket: An innovator in stadium and venue tech solutions.

“‘Sports technology’ is an inherently amorphous and unwieldy term. In truth, technology is having a revolutionary impact on all parts of modern sports, from how it’s played to how it’s administered to how it’s consumed.”

“Our priority is to provide personal, convenient, and accessible encounters for fans that deliver a frictionless experience from the time of arrival, and that is why we have partnered with Wicket.”

Dave Jenkins.

COO for Haslam Sports Group

In partnership with Wicket, the Crew Express Access Program at Lower.com Field will allow fans to enter the stadium with one glance at an iPad, creating the first truly frictionless ingress experience.

Wicket’s CTO, Sanjay Manandhar, was among the 60 individuals chosen who create, customize, sell and operate the technologies that make it possible for stadium and arena operators to tackle modern stadium facility issues.

SBJ speaks with Wicket about Future venues, which they feel will rely on connectivity, artificial intelligence, and a blending of realities to create personal encounters for fans while retaining a sense of community.

When it comes to Facial Authentication, “like credit cards… [concern] went by the wayside very quickly because the convenience is too much.”

Sanjay Manandhar                       

CEO and Co-Founder of Wicket

“You could see the excitement on their faces, never having to pull out their phones to show an electronic ticket.”

Brandon Covert

VP of IT, Cleveland Browns

Kim Rometo, CIO of the Miami Dolphins, discusses the possibilities of expedited entry with Wicket technology.

Ben Fisher from Sports Business Journal checks in with The Cleveland Browns to discuss their partnership with Wicket