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MLB signs biometric ticketing deal with Clear

Major League Baseball is to introduce biometric ticketing technology through a new partnership with Clear.

The biometric identity platform has partnered with MLB and Tickets.com to introduce the technology at participating ballparks in 2019. The initiative will eliminate the need for fans to use paper or mobile tickets for games, with a tap of the finger – or, in the future, facial recognition technology – to be used instead.

Clear members will be required to link their Clear profile to their MLB.com account to gain entry to ballparks. The service will be trialled at ballparks later this year before a broader roll-out in 2019.

Tickets.com, the primary ticketing partner of 23 of MLB clubs, is wholly owned by the league. Clear has also been named as the official biometric identity and ticketing partner of MLB.

Clear will introduce Clear Lines at venues hosting MLB Jewel Events to allow supporters to experience a faster and more secure way to enter ballparks. In 2018, Jewel Events include MLB All-Star Week events at Nationals Park (pictured) in Washington D.C. and post-season games at participating ballparks.

“Our collaboration with Clear is an important new technology initiative, delivering safe, simple and seamless experiences for fans,” Noah Garden, executive vice-president of business for MLB, said in a statement. “Developing a partnership that will unify emerging identity technology and ticketing is reflective of our commitments to always improving ballpark accessibility and maintaining critical security standards.”

Nine MLB clubs currently use Clear’s sports platform, enrolment for which is free at any participating venue.

Image: Rudi Riet