As the FIFA World Cup™ kicks off on Thursday with a record 48 nations and 104 matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Austrian technology will help ensure seamless stadium access at numerous venues. Over the past several years, five FIFA World Cup 2026 stadiums have been equipped with state-of-the-art access solutions from Axess and comprehensively modernized.
The venues include Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Gillette Stadium in Boston, Lumen Field in Seattle, BC Place in Vancouver, and Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. These stadiums will host numerous group-stage matches as well as knockout-round contests. The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the largest tournament in the competition’s history, drawing millions of fans to stadiums and television screens around the world. A total of 104 matches will be played across 16 venues in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The technology upgrades were led by Ren Steyn, General Manager at Axess US for the Stadium Market. The goal was to bring existing access systems up to the latest standards while preparing the venues for the demands of a global sporting event. “Each year, we equip around ten stadiums with the latest technology, whether for soccer, baseball, rugby, or other sports. Stadium operators are constantly looking to set new standards, and they see our solutions as the ideal way to achieve that,” says Steyn.
“The demands placed on security, speed, and user experience during a World Cup are enormous. Together with our customers, we have technologically prepared these venues for the future, and we are proud to say that millions of fans will benefit from our solutions,” says Christian Heidegger, who is responsible for Axess’ global stadium business.
Today, Axess ranks among the leading providers of access management systems in the North American sports market. More than 50 stadiums across the United States are already equipped with Axess technology. The systems enable fast and secure ticket scanning, and provide the foundation for modern fan experiences.
For Axess CEO Oliver Suter, this development underscores the strategic importance of the North American market: “The United States is currently Axess’ fastest-growing market worldwide. Many stadiums are modernizing their infrastructure and transitioning to digital access solutions. Demand for innovative and scalable systems continues to grow, and we expect this positive momentum to continue in the years ahead.”
With successful modernization projects at five FIFA World Cup 2026 venues and a strong presence across North America, Axess continues to strengthen its position as a global technology leader in intelligent access and visitor management systems. As the soccer world turns its attention to North America in the summer of 2026, Austrian technology will play an important role in ensuring the smooth operation of the world’s biggest sporting event.