MLS: partnership with Wicket for the introduction of facial authentication in 2026

Major League Soccer has extended its partnership with US facial authentication company Wicket for the deployment of its technology across several events in 2026, it announced on 16/02/2026.

This initiative builds on the collaboration launched between the two entities in September 2024, when Wicket joined the MLS Innovation Lab alongside five other companies with the aim of "elevating the fan experience through strategic investment and an innovative approach to modernizing event operations".

The expanded partnership will focus on two main areas:
• facial authentication at stadium entrances, "delivering faster, more personalized access, inclusive of ticketing, payments, and credentialing";
• "driving actionable fan intelligence and data insights to help MLS and its clubs better understand and engage with fans".

Wicket’s technology will notably be deployed at three MLS NEXT competitions — MLS’s youth development league — in 2026: Generation adidas Cup (27/03-04/04), MLS NEXT Flex (23/04-28/04) and MLS NEXT Cup (23/05-31/05).

Wicket’s solution is already used by several MLS franchises…