How new technology could help stop illegal drones near stadiums

July 11, 2026 - 03:38

The FBI has reported detecting nearly 1,500 drones near World Cup venues across the country, with authorities mitigating over 700 of those during the tournament. As drones become more common, the risk they pose to large public gatherings, especially sporting events, has grown. In response, a new demonstration shows how 5G network sensing technology could give law enforcement a powerful tool to detect and track unauthorized drones around major event venues.

Unlike traditional radar or visual spotting, this technology uses the existing 5G cellular network to sense objects in the air. The system can pick up the unique signals from a drone's electronics and its movement, allowing operators to pinpoint its location in real time. This approach is less expensive and more flexible than installing dedicated drone-detection equipment at every stadium. It also works in crowded urban areas where other methods might fail.

The goal is to give security teams a faster, more reliable way to identify threats before they become dangerous. With major events like the Super Bowl and the Olympics on the horizon, the ability to stop a rogue drone could prevent a serious incident. While the technology is still in early testing, officials believe it could become a standard part of event security in the near future.