Zero tolerance for drones at World Cup stadiums as security threat heightens

World Cup stadiums will enforce a zero-tolerance policy on drones over or near venues, with law enforcement deploying heightened counter-drone measures used previously at the Super Bowl and other major events.

The Federal Aviation Administration will restrict airspace around crowded stadiums for World Cup games and fan events. Violators can face fines up to $100,000, confiscation of their drones, and criminal charges for flying within three miles of a game.

Congress recently gave state and local law enforcement the green light to electronically disable threatening drones or shoot them down if necessary, though disabling them electronically and landing them safely is the first option. The FBI has invested heavily in the technology to identify and take control of drones and provided counter-drone training this year to law enforcement in all World Cup host cities.

The military has developed counter-drone lasers and other systems to shoot down drones, but the FBI isn't planning to use them during the World Cup because of dangers posed by falling wreckage over major cities. As national security expert Hal Kempfer noted, "If the drone is intercepted and it no longer flies, it's going to fall. And as we say, no matter what you do, you can't change the law of gravity."

The heightened security reflects lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, where drone technology has become a real-world testing ground for innovation. New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch said drones are among the threats that keep her up at night.