Royals introducing facial-recognition scans for fans to enter Kauffman Stadium
It seems there are few things these days that unify people, but there is this: Everyone loves to skip a line.
No one likes waiting, whether it’s at the grocery store or a sporting event. There is (potentially) good news about the latter.
The Royals are introducing “facial authentication technology” for ticket-holders at Kauffman Stadium. This won’t be mandatory for fans who attend Royals games. It’ll just be an option for those who want to use the system.
“MLB Go-Ahead Entry allows opted-in ticketholders to enter the ballpark without stopping to scan their tickets from their mobile device,” the Royals said in a news release, “whether alone or in a group.”
The Phillies began using the technology a year ago, and it is only for fans who are 18 years or older.
How it works
Ticket holders must have the MLB Ballpark app. WPVI-TV said there are is a “MLB Go-Ahead Entry” tab on the app, which will then ask to take your photo and that will be used for registration.
That’s it.
Here is how the system works at Phillies games, via an Associated Press story: “Fans 18 and older can register and take a selfie for Go-Ahead entry through the app. The photo is stored as a unique numerical token before the image is deleted — and a photo needs to be taken only once. Then fans walk through the gate — the Phillies have two stations set up at the first base gate — without stopping or needing a phone.”
It’s important to note three things: the photo will be deleted quickly from the MLB system, this is only for people 18 and over, and it won’t be at every gate at Kauffman Stadium, so fans won’t be required to sign up for the technology.
This story was originally published July 22, 2024 at 11:59 AM.
