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Federal authorities announced Thursday a sweeping ban on drone flights over stadiums and fan events hosting FIFA World Cup matches this summer, warning that violators could face steep fines, equipment confiscation and criminal prosecution.
The Federal Aviation Administration said that on match days, all aircraft including drones will be prohibited within three nautical miles (5.6 kilometers) of stadiums and up to 3,000 feet (900 meters) above ground level, unless specifically authorized. Smaller no-fly zones covering a one-nautical-mile radius and up to 1,000 feet above ground will apply around fan events organized by host cities at stadiums and other locations.
Penalties for violations could reach $100,000 in fines, along with confiscation of equipment and potential federal criminal charges, the FAA said.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed it would play an active role in enforcing the restrictions. Aaron Hope of the FBI's Atlanta field office told reporters that the bureau has the technology both to intercept unauthorized drones and to identify operators on the ground. "Our primary focus is that the message gets out that it is a no-drone zone," Hope said.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford framed the restrictions as part of a broader airspace protection effort. "As fans from around the world gather at stadiums and fan events across the country for the FIFA World Cup, the FAA is using every available tool to protect the airspace, including stronger drone-enforcement efforts," he said.
To back up the ban, the FAA said it will deploy DETER, a new enforcement initiative designed to enable rapid detection of drone violations, in support of what it described as "enhanced enforcement" throughout the tournament.
The use of temporary flight restrictions around major sporting and public events is standard FAA practice, but the scale of the World Cup, which draws tens of millions of viewers globally and involves extensive security coordination across multiple host cities, has prompted an unusually broad enforcement framework.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the world's most-watched sporting event, is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Türkiye, with matches running from the June 11 opening through the July 19 final. The drone restrictions apply to US venues and fan zones associated with the tournament.
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