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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States has declared all stadiums and event spaces for the 2026 World Cup as drone exclusion zones, with fines that can reach up to 100,000 dollars for those who fly these devices without authorization during the tournament.
The warning is clear and applies to everyone, without exception.
"Even if you are an experienced remote pilot or have a standard airspace authorization, you are not allowed to fly during the active restriction windows surrounding the World Cup events," warns the FAA on its official site.
The sanctions are of two types. Civil fines can reach up to 75,000 dollars per violation, while criminal penalties can go up to 100,000 dollars.
In addition to fines, offenders are subject to the immediate confiscation of their drone by the FBI, federal criminal charges, and immediate arrest.
The FBI is authorized to use specialized mitigation tools to intercept and seize any unauthorized drone detected in restricted airspace.
The FAA, the FBI, and local law enforcement agencies will actively monitor the airspace using federal detection and tracking capabilities.
The technology deployed to enforce these restrictions is top-notch: radar, optical and infrared tracking cameras, fixed detection antennas, portable radio frequency receivers, and artificial intelligence software like DedroneTracker.
Only Cobb County, Georgia, home to the Atlanta teams, received $10.7 million in federal grants exclusively for anti-drone technology, reported CBS News.
At the national level, the Department of Homeland Security allocated 500 million dollars for anti-drone systems for the tournament, prioritizing the protection of the event against potential threats, according to Politico.
The investment reflects the magnitude of the challenge: the World Cup 2026 is the largest sporting event ever held on American soil, featuring 48 teams, 104 matches, and 11 venues throughout North America.
Temporary Flight Restrictions will be published through official notices between three and five days before each match, and will override any prior flight authorizations, including professional remote pilot licenses.
"The airspace restrictions apply to everyone, and takeoff and landing permissions are strictly enforced," notes the FAA.
The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19 2026 in 16 cities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The 11 U.S. venues are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle. The final will be held on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
This is not the first time the FAA has imposed restrictions of this kind at major sporting events.
In the 2022 Super Bowl, held at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, two operators were fined $16,000 and $4,000 respectively for flying drones in restricted airspace. The penalties for the 2026 World Cup are significantly higher.
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