Industry News

HID Global tickets boost World Cup security

Fans will enjoy a safer and better experience at this summer’s FIFA World Cup thanks to enhanced security features integrated within the tickets, according to Russia 2018’s official ticket producer, HID Global.

The Texas-based identity solutions firm will deliver more than three million secure RFID tickets for the 64 matches of the 2018 World Cup.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup ticket is a smart ticket containing a radio frequency identification (RFID) inlay and manufactured with special security papers and integrates several security features designed to prevent counterfeiting and forgery.

Data that is stored in a ticket’s RFID chip is encrypted and digitally signed.

“HID Global is providing FIFA with a formidable defence against ticket fraud and simplifying the process of a fan’s picking a ticket and using it to tap and go into the stadium,” said Stefan Widing, president and chief executive of HID Global.

“We’re confident that this RFID solution, along with the other advanced ticket security features, will give FIFA and attendees an extra level of security and a better overall FIFA World Cup experience.”

RFID technology transmits the unique identity of a ticket and ticket holder via radio waves. Unlike barcode readers, RFID scanners do not need a line of sight with the RFID chips.

This means attendees can simply tap their tickets to a reader to validate them and gain access to an event, speeding up admissions dramatically in high-volume events such as World Cup matches.

In a recent press release, FIFA reminded prospective tournament attendees: “FIFA regards the illicit sale and distribution of tickets as a serious issue and in cooperation with local authorities, including consumer protection agencies in numerous countries, strives to identify and curb unauthorised ticket sales.”

Eleven host cities will be the venues for the matches of the 2018 World Cup. They are Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi, Kazan, Saransk, Kaliningrad, Volgograd, Rostov-on-Don, Nizhny Novgorod, Yekaterinburg and Samara.

The 2018 World Cup will be held between June 14 and July 15 at 12 stadiums.

Image: Russia 2018