More than 50 drones have been seized by U.S. agencies near FIFA World Cup venues since the tournament began last week, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said.
Quick facts
- U.S. agencies have seized over 50 drones near World Cup sites since the tournament started last week.
- A federal-city counter-drone team in Kansas City intercepted eight drones on Wednesday during World Cup 2026 activities at Arrowhead Stadium and the FIFA Fan Festival.
- The FAA has barred drones from flying over World Cup 2026 matches and related fan events across the United States.
- There have been more than 150 drone incursions into restricted airspace at eight venues, including around three dozen incidents in Atlanta.
- On match days, aircraft—including drones—are prohibited within three nautical miles and up to 3,000 feet above ground level around stadiums unless authorized by air traffic controllers.
- For fan events nationwide, drones are restricted within one nautical mile and up to 1,000 feet above ground level.
- Drone operators entering restricted airspace without approval can face fines up to $100,000, plus criminal charges and seizure of the drone.
- The FBI will deploy drone mitigation teams around World Cup stadiums.
In Kansas City, a combined federal and city counter-drone unit stopped eight drones on Wednesday during World Cup 2026 proceedings at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium and the FIFA Fan Festival. The Federal Aviation Administration has also prohibited drone flights over World Cup matches and associated fan events across the country.
The Homeland Security Department said the problem is extending beyond Kansas City, with more than 150 drone intrusions recorded in prohibited airspace across eight match locations. Atlanta accounts for roughly three dozen of those incidents.
Match-day and fan-event airspace rules
On game days, all aircraft activity—including drones—is banned within a three-nautical-mile radius and up to 3,000 feet above ground level around the stadiums unless air traffic controllers specifically approve it. For fan events across the United States, drones are barred within a one-nautical-mile radius and up to 1,000 feet above ground level.
The FAA warned that pilots who enter restricted airspace without authorization may be hit with penalties reaching $100,000. Operators can also face criminal prosecution and have the drone confiscated.
The FBI is additionally setting up drone mitigation units around World Cup stadiums to help respond to unauthorized flights.
Legal cases already highlight the enforcement approach. A man entered a guilty plea last year after being charged with violating restricted defense airspace by flying a drone over an NFL AFC playoff game in Baltimore in January 2025. Separately, a Massachusetts man was charged for an unlawful drone flight near the finish line of the April 2024 Boston Marathon, leading law enforcement to seize the drone while it was still in the air.
