Stadium security has evolved significantly. Previously, it focused on ground-based threats, such as disruptive fans, occasional parking lot disputes, and minor crowd control issues. In recent years, however, a new and unprecedented threat has literally “risen” into the airspace above stadiums: the drone.
Today, stadium security managers face a complex challenge regarding drone-related threats.
The Drone Threat: A Gray Area
On one side of this gray area, drones are relatively new to public spaces, and there are few regulations restricting their flight. Even more concerning are the highly restrictive laws on drone mitigation. In the United States, it remains illegal for most people, including stadium security professionals, to jam or “hard kill” drones in flight.
This early stage of the drone threat means that many pilots are unaware of existing laws, no-fly zones, and the penalties for flying drones where and when they shouldn’t. Even when such incidents result from ignorance, they still disrupt events and create serious safety concerns.
On the other hand, the growing use of drones in criminal activity is alarming. The use of drones in armed conflicts, where they serve as improvised guided missiles, has shown the dangers they pose. Drones can carry explosives, chemical weapons, ammunition, and other materials to restricted locations. Moreover, regular and increasingly frequent reports of drones being used for cyber attacks, illegal surveillance, smuggling, and other crimes indicate that criminals are increasingly aware of the possibilities drones offer.
The FAA prohibits drone flights in and around stadiums that seat more than 30,000 people, starting one hour before and ending one hour after major sporting events. This restriction covers drone activity within a three-nautical-mile radius of major sports venues. However, legislative gaps, pilot ignorance, and the growing drone threat make it clear: sports stadiums must “up their game” in drone security immediately.
Is There Evidence of Drones Disrupting Sporting Events?
Yes. Incidents of drone interference at sporting events include:
- January 2024: A drone flying dangerously close to play caused an “administrative timeout” during an NFL game at M&T Bank Stadium. The operator was charged with three felony counts.
- November 2023: Drone activity caused two interruptions during an NFL game between the Ravens and Bengals.
- January 2022: A rogue drone hovering above Brentford Community Stadium led to a 15-minute suspension of a soccer game.
- September 2022: Drones disrupted NFL games on consecutive days, one at Husky Stadium and the other at Lumen Field.
- 2020: Five live MLB games were interrupted by drones.
There have also been reports of drones crashing into stadium seating at major baseball, tennis, and basketball events. These examples do not account for drone incidents at smaller venues, including high schools.
The Challenges of Drone Security
In collaboration with the FAA, most stadiums and major sports leagues, including the NFL, have banned unauthorized drones over sports fields during events. Pilots who violate these restrictions have faced felony charges and substantial fines.
Nevertheless, intercepting drones during an incident is challenging. Modern drones are small, fast, and difficult to detect, making them hard to mitigate, especially in a way that avoids injuring fans.
As in all perimeter security, early detection is key. Ideally, a drone would be detected and forced to land before it enters restricted airspace over the event. As security teams typically cannot disable a drone in flight, their best hope of landing the drone lies in locating the pilot and persuading them to land the drone.
However, many smaller sports venues lack the budget for early detection technology that identifies drones and their operators. As a result, drones are often not noticed until they are close enough to pose a real threat.
Spotter Global’s Remote Drone ID (RDID)
As of late 2024, Spotter Global’s Remote Drone ID (RDID) is the world’s most affordable drone detection solution. Designed to provide broad detection coverage of drones operated by careless, uninformed, or low-level criminal pilots, the RDID uses a regulation requiring drone manufacturers to broadcast drone IDs. This radio signal continuously broadcasts the location of both the drone and its operator.
The FAA mandates that all commercial drones be registered with this unique ID and broadcast continuously during operation. For all commercial drones, this capability is built-in and difficult to disable, assuming that the purchaser and operator of the drone even knows that it's there.
Spotter Global’s RDID combines Wifi signal detection capabilities with NetworkedIO (NIO), Spotter Global’s Command and Control software, enabling a stadium perimeter security system to:
- Continuously monitor hundreds of square meters of airspace for FAA-compliant drone activity.
- Accurately detect and track drones within range, with a minimal risk of false alarms.
- Detect and track drones effectively under various conditions, including darkness, fog, rain, or snow.
- Geo-locate and track the operator’s location with an accuracy of up to 50 meters.
- Customize the monitored area with designated alarm zones.
- Trigger specific security responses (e.g., notifications, floodlights, alarms) when a drone crosses into restricted airspace.
- Relocate easily to different venues, making the RDID a cost-effective drone security solution for communities with multiple adjacent venues.
Responding to an RDID Notification
The Remote Drone ID continuously monitors for unauthorized drone activity. When a drone is detected or enters restricted airspace, NetworkedIO can instantly notify designated security personnel, providing live updates on both the drone and the pilot's location.
Armed with this information, security personnel can locate and confront the drone operator. If the operator flees, the RDID’s tracking history can help security personnel review local camera footage to identify the operator’s appearance or vehicle.
Conclusion
Drones will continue to pose a significant security and safety threat at public events—a risk that will only grow as drone technology becomes more affordable and accessible.
As these risks develop, it is essential for those responsible for public safety to have effective tools to address them.
While regulations and laws are part of the solution, they often struggle to keep pace with rapidly advancing technology. Spotter Global’s Remote Drone ID offers security teams the actionable intelligence they need to protect stadiums and their patrons today.