Fans need to feel safe when they’re cheering on their sports team. So before a game can start, everyone entering a stadium must be screened for weapons. You may have experienced narrow, one-person-at-a-time metal detectors that create bottlenecks at stadium entrances and wished there was a better, faster way to get to your seat. 

Now there is—and the Major League Soccer team FC Dallas has deployed it at Frisco’s Toyota Stadium, in plenty of time for last Saturday’s 2024 home opener, a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes.

The team is using a solution from Massachusetts-based Evolv Technology that combines state-of-the-art sensors with artificial intelligence. Called Evolv Express, the tech can tell the difference between weapons and non-threatening metal objects people commonly carry, so fans don’t have to stop individually and take things out of their pockets. The systems were installed at Toyota Stadium in December in time for college football events including the Frisco Bowl and FCS National Championship.

’10 times faster’ than metal detectors

The Evolv systems are now screening fans and staff at every Toyota Stadium entrance, enabling the venue’s 19,000-plus fans to flow through the checkpoints “at pace.” Evolv says its systems are 10 times faster than metal detectors, offering “a line-free experience.”

“Increasingly, MLS decision makers—myself and my colleagues included—are strategizing about how to optimize the fan experience,” Nick Shafer, VP of stadium operations for FC Dallas and Toyota Stadium, said in a statement. “We had the opportunity to see the difference Evolv makes with the events in December, and we’re very excited to join other MLS and Texas teams that are using Express to enhance experience while up-leveling safety.”

‘Sensor fusion’ combines thermal imaging, millimeter-wave technology, and more

Evolv’s weapons detection system uses “sensor fusion,” combining data from multiple sensors to create a comprehensive picture, according to a blog post by IdentiSys.

Evolv’s AI algorithms analyze “various sensor inputs including thermal imaging, millimeter-wave technology, and artificial intelligence-enabled video analysis to detect concealed weapons. By fusing these sensor outputs, Evolv’s systems provide an unparalleled level of threat detection,” IdentiSys said, adding that the systems can also detect non-metallic weapons with minimal metal components.

1 billion screened since 2019—including Houston Astros, Texans, and Rockets fans

Since Evolv Express was launched in 2019, the company’s technology has screened more than 1 billion people, Evolv said, adding that Toyota Stadium is only the latest in a “rapidly growing list” of MLS facilities using Evolv as part of their safety plans.

FC Dallas joins St. Louis City SC, the New England Revolution, and the Columbus Crew, among others, in using the Evolv Express technology. In Texas, Evolv’s tech is also used by the Houston Astros, Houston Texans, and Houston Rockets.

“The fact that teams recognize how Evolv is transforming the fan experience at other stadiums in the league is a testament to how truly impactful the technology is,” said Jay Muelhoefer, Evolv’s chief commercial officer. “We’re excited to partner with FC Dallas and help create a safer, more fan-friendly environment for another Texas team.”

You can read more about Evolv’s solution by reading the IdentiSys blog post here.

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