Security Tightens as Over 50 Drones Seized Near World Cup Venues

(Sports Security. Photo by Nation News)

U.S. agencies have confiscated more than 50 drones near FIFA World Cup venues since the tournament got underway last week, according to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

In Kansas City, a joint federal-city counter-drone unit intercepted eight drones on Wednesday during World Cup 2026 events held at Arrowhead Stadium and the FIFA Fan Festival.

The Federal Aviation Administration has banned drone flights over World Cup 2026 matches and related fan events across the country.

The Department of Homeland Security said there have been more than 150 drone incursions into restricted airspace across eight game locations, including roughly three dozen incidents recorded in Atlanta alone.

On match days, all aircraft operations including drones are prohibited within a three-nautical-mile radius and up to 3,000 feet above ground level around stadiums, unless specifically cleared by air traffic control.

For fan events nationwide, drones are barred within a one-nautical-mile radius and up to 1,000 feet above ground level.

The FAA said operators caught flying drones in restricted airspace without authorisation could face fines of up to $100,000, in addition to criminal charges and confiscation of their equipment.

The FBI has also deployed drone mitigation teams to be stationed around World Cup stadiums.

In a related case, a man pleaded guilty last year to violating defense airspace after flying a drone over an NFL AFC playoff game in Baltimore in January 2025.

Separately, a man from Massachusetts was charged with illegally flying a drone near the finish line of the April 2024 Boston Marathon, an incident that led law enforcement to seize the device mid-flight.