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Gainesville, FL - The University of Florida has introduced an innovative facial authentication system at its Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, making it the first college stadium in the United States to use this technology for fan entry at football games and select athletic events.
Starting this season, fans attending home Gators football games and other UF Athletics venues can take advantage of Express Entry lanes located at Gates 1, 4, 7, 8, 12, and 16.
Those who have registered and linked their Ticketmaster accounts will be able to scan their faces for a quick, contactless entry, bypassing traditional ticket scanning lines.
Express Entry, powered by the tech company Wicket, is an opt-in program available exclusively to fans aged 18 and older with a valid Ticketmaster account.
According to UF officials, Wicket uses advanced encryption methods to securely store personal information, ensuring fan privacy and data protection.
To participate, fans must complete a simple enrollment process:
- Visit FloridaGators.com/ExpressEntry
- Link their Ticketmaster account
- Upload a photo of themselves
The technology was piloted successfully during two games earlier this 2024 football season, where it demonstrated a significant reduction in wait times, enhancing the overall fan experience.
Scott Stricklin, the Athletic Director of the University of Florida Athletic Association, emphasized the program’s benefits: “We’re committed to finding new ways to improve the game-day experience. Express Entry allows fans to enter the stadium faster, spending less time waiting and more time supporting the Gators.”
Single-game tickets for all six upcoming Gators home football games are currently available for purchase at FloridaGators.com/Tickets.
This move reflects a growing trend in sports venues nationwide to incorporate biometric technology to streamline entry and improve security, though the University of Florida stands out as the first collegiate program to implement facial recognition for fan access at such a scale.