Mandatory security screening at ballparks is unpopular with most fans, but one way to avoid the lines — CLEAR’s identity program — has been adopted by the Baltimore Orioles (Oriole Park), the Texas Rangers (Globe Life Park) and the Minnesota Twins (Target Field) for 2019.
CLEAR’s identity platform is now used by 18 MLB, National Basketball Association (NBA), National Football League (NFL) and Major League Soccer (MLS) teams.
CLEAR offers two services at sports facilities. The first is merely an extension of the current CLEAR system: dedicated lines for existing customers that allows CLEAR users to bypass the slower security lines, The second is a little more cutting edge: offering CLEAR members the ability to enter the gates or purchase concessions with the tap of a finger, with biometrics replacing an ID for age validation and credit card.
(One thing to note: the CLEAR identity program used at ballparks and other venues is not identical to the CLEAR screening program used in airports.)
The biometrics program for gate admission was instituted at T-Mobile Field in 2018 and to Citi Field this season, with future biometrics installations are planned at Comerica Park in Detroit and Globe Life Park in Arlington.
As competition for consumer attention increases, sports teams, leagues, and venues want fans to be able to get into the game safely, get food and drinks, and get to their seats with fewer hassles,” said CLEAR’s Head of Sports Ed O’Brien. “With CLEAR, venues can focus more of their time personalizing and enhancing the game-day experience so fans can enjoy more of what they came to see.”
CLEAR will also be rolling out CLEAR Lanes at MLB Jewel Events to offer fans a faster, more secure entry experience. This July, CLEAR will be available at Progressive Field in Cleveland during the 2019 All-Star Week, and later this year, during Postseason games at select ballparks.
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