In partnership with the technology company Imply, the club consolidates its Smart Arena model, making the stadium a global reference in security and operational flow
Athletico Paranaense has reached a historic milestone in the management of Arena da Baixada, surpassing 1 million accesses made by fans via facial recognition since the technology was implemented in November 2023. At the time, the club anticipated tests by more than a year to comply with the requirement established by the General Sports Law, which mandates that stadiums with a capacity of over 20,000 spectators adopt the technology in all sectors by June 2025.
This technological leap resulted from a partnership with the technology company Imply, a holding company from Rio Grande do Sul that has been working with the club for over a decade. The facial recognition system developed by Imply® can detect movements and facial expressions in real time. It prevents fraud using photos or videos and achieves accuracy above 99.9% through artificial intelligence and deep learning algorithms. The platform is also integrated with the Government database (SERPRO), ensuring absolute legitimacy of user registration. In addition, the technology directly impacts stadium operations. By reducing friction at entry points, it has enabled the club to increase throughput per gate.
Tecnologia global para projetos de alta performance
Presente em mais de 125 países, a Imply desenvolve soluções integradas que modernizam operações e geram valor. Conte com a segurança de quem é líder em inovação para impulsionar o seu negócio.
A benchmark in technology for future innovations in sports and entertainment
Tironi Paz Ortiz, CEO of Imply, highlights that the project’s success at Athletico serves as an example for the future of sports and entertainment in Brazil.
“Athletico operates one of the smartest stadiums in Latin America because it chose, more than a decade ago, to treat technology with a long-term strategic vision. We are proud of this partnership of continuous technological evolution. Our intelligence ecosystem has brought operational flow and positioned the club as a national benchmark in technology, fan experience, and security. Since 2014, we have integrated ticket sales and access control into a single ecosystem, creating a seamless, scalable, and secure journey. In 2017, we implemented a pioneering project in Brazil with biometrics covering 100% of the stadium, demonstrating in practice how technology can reduce violence. In 2023, we evolved again with Facial Recognition, which has already enabled more than 1 million accesses using only the face.”
Tironi also highlights the importance of technology for upcoming innovations in the segment. “The future of stadiums depends on this integrated vision, and we are proud to develop technologies that act as a driver of experience, security, and operational efficiency. In this way, we transform stadiums into safer, more profitable, and more efficient environments.”
A consolidated partnership with more than a decade of joint work
Before facial recognition, the company was also responsible for implementing fingerprint biometric entry across 100% of Arena da Baixada in 2017, which preceded the current system. The adoption of fingerprint biometrics was pioneering in Brazil, also aimed at reducing violence and promoting safe and peaceful sporting events.
In addition to the projects launched in 2017 and 2023, Athletico’s innovation with Imply® Tecnologia began in 2014. This phase introduced integrated solutions for ticket sales and access control. These initiatives consolidated the club as a successful “Smart Arena” case in Latin America, combining advanced technology, public safety, and excellence in the fan journey.
About Imply
Founded in 2003, the Rio Grande do Sul-based holding company Imply Tecnologia is one of the leading players in Brazil’s business sector. Today, Imply® is established as one of the largest technology brands in the business units ElevenTickets, Self-Service, Bowling, and LED Panels. With 100% proprietary technology development and more than 500 employees, the organization operates in over 125 countries. Imply® offers customized projects to drive high performance and security at major events.
Discover how technology can transform management. Visit: https://imply.com/engb/access-and-ticket/facial-recognition-validator/
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