Ohio State University is set to implement a new facial authentication system called Express Entry for student access to football games starting with the 2025 season. The system will enable student ticket holders to use their facial features as their entry credential at Ohio Stadium, following similar successful implementations at other major venues including the University of Florida’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, which became the first college stadium to adopt this technology.
The Express Entry system operates on a voluntary basis, with enrollment initially restricted to Ohio State student ticket holders. To participate, students must complete an enrollment process by signing into their Ticketmaster account and capturing a selfie to link their facial biometrics with their ticket. Students can enroll either online before game day or at the stadium via QR codes positioned near student gates.
At designated Express Entry gates, enrolled students can enter by standing in front of a facial scanner for authentication, eliminating the need to present physical tickets or mobile devices. The service is provided at no cost to students. The approach matches successful implementations at other venues, including the Milwaukee Brewers’ American Family Field, where similar technology has helped reduce entry times and improve the fan experience.
Regarding data privacy, Ohio State University has specified that it does not create, store, process, or transmit any biometric data. All biometric data handling is managed exclusively by Wicket, the third-party service provider contracted for the system. The arrangement follows standard industry practices for biometric data management and privacy protection.
The implementation aims to optimize the entry process at Ohio Stadium by reducing wait times and simplifying access procedures for student ticket holders. “Your face is your ticket for the event,” states the Ohio State Athletics website. The technology represents part of a broader trend in venue access control, as major ticketing platforms increasingly integrate biometric authentication into their digital ticketing solutions.
The facial authentication technology represents a new application of biometric systems in collegiate sports venues, joining other institutions that have implemented similar solutions for venue access control. The adoption reflects the growing acceptance of biometric authentication in everyday scenarios, from mobile payments to venue access, as organizations seek to balance security with user convenience.
Sources: MyFox28 Columbus, The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio State Buckeyes, AOL
