Allianz Parque, home of Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A football club Palmeiras, is to be fitted with facial recognition technology to speed up entry into the stadium on match days.
Palmeiras will begin implementing the technology during the Campeonato Paulista, with the initiative to be tested today (Tuesday) during a friendly match against Monte Azul.
Around 4,300 Palmeiras fans will attend today’s game, and each supporter has been given the chance to register using facial recognition technology. The tickets can be redeemed online and fans will be sent an email receipt, but they will be able to enter the stadium without presenting any ticket.
Palmeiras hopes today’s trial run will allow the club to iron out any potential issues ahead of a wider roll-out for Campeonato Paulista matches. The club plans on gradually installing the technology at each access gate at Allianz Parque.
It is also hoped that the initiative will help clamp down on ticket reselling. Palmeiras has recently identified and banned several fans who used the official club system to buy and resell tickets.
Fans will still be able to purchase tickets from the stadium box office but prior registration of facial biometrics will be required.
Last month, Palmeiras installed a facial biometrics system at its headquarters for all employees and associates. Reports emerged last year that the club was considering introducing the technology at Allianz Parque, and these plans have now been confirmed.
Allianz Parque opened in 2014 and has a seated capacity of around 43,000.
