DOYLESTOWN, PA. — February 16, 2026 — Wicket, the leading facial authentication platform provider in live events, today announced an expanded agreement with Major League Soccer (MLS) to deploy Wicket’s facial authentication technology across multiple MLS league events in 2026. The collaboration builds on Wicket’s successful participation in the MLS Innovation Lab and reflects MLS’s continued commitment to elevating the fan experience through strategic investment and an innovative approach to modernizing event operations.
In continuation of Wicket’s ongoing work with MLS, throughout 2026 MLS will leverage Wicket at a range of league events, including MLS NEXT competitions and other major MLS events. These initiatives follow successful deployments performed in 2025, where Wicket had an impactful presence at key MLS tentpole moments, including multiple MLS NEXT events and the 2025 MLS All-Star Game in Austin.
“Our work with MLS over the past two years proved that biometric identity can meaningfully improve how large-scale soccer events operate,” said Glenn Borgmann, head of partnerships for Wicket. “This expanded partnership takes that momentum further, delivering faster check-in, better operational visibility, and a foundation for smarter fan engagement across the league.”
Building on a Successful 2025 Having Streamlined Operations at MLS NEXT Events
As the most elite platform for youth player development in soccer in North America, 2025 was an impactful year for MLS NEXT. Throughout the 2025 MLS NEXT season, MLS and Wicket collaborated on a variety of initiatives, which included streamlining coach check-in and daily food voucher distribution across multiple events. Through Wicket’s facial authentication technology, coaches were able to enroll with their face in advance of the event, allowing them to check in upon arrival without the requirement of having to use physical credentials or QR codes. In addition, MLS organizers used Wicket to simplify daily food voucher distribution, which reduced lines and eliminated manual verification, ultimately improving the overall event experience.
