State Farm Arena Implements New Tech, Cashierless Checkouts and Facial Authentication

The future has arrived at State Farm Arena, home to the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks. The arena’s newly updated IoT system allows facility operators to implement cashierless checkouts, expedited ticket scanning and technology monitoring.

According to CSA, the updates are “running on Verizon 5G Edge wireless technology and developed in collaboration with spatial intelligence and autonomous retail solutions provider AiFi.”

This technology update means that fans can enter the ‘Hawks Express’ store, choose their items and exit, all without interacting with a cashier or store associate. The purchases are managed on the customer’s mobile device like Apple Wallet or Google Pay. It is a similar set up to recent enhancements at stadiums and arenas across the country, like Nissan Stadium in Nashville, where camera-led solutions allow for autonomous check out and “frictionless stores.”

Similar camera-based technology updates were initiated at Mercedes Benz Stadium, a stone’s throw from State Farm Arena, in the spring of 2024.

Among other updates, State Farm Arena also installed new ticket-scanning technologies. The updates use Wicket facial authentication and the same Verizon 5G Edge wireless technology to reduce wait times.

CSA Reported that the facial authentication is an, “expedited the ticket scanning process for members of the Atlanta Hawks loyalty program, showing 2,000 enrollments and approaching 10,000 tickets scanned with an average ticket redemption time of six seconds.”

Kim Rometo, chief technology and innovation officer for the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena said, “"State Farm Arena is constantly looking for ways to push the boundaries of innovation and improve the experience for our fans and staff. By implementing Verizon Sensor Insights, multiple stakeholders can proactively monitor and manage critical operational aspects, ensuring a more seamless and efficient experience for everyone."

The Verizon 5G Edge wireless technology makes non-customer-facing changes to the arena as well. Going forward, facility operators will gain technology insights to ensure that everything in the arena is operating as it should.