Major League Baseball today launched a pilot of Go-Ahead Entry, a new first-of-its-kind, free-flow ballpark entry experience being tested in collaboration with the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Go-Ahead Entry system allows ticket holders who opt in for the service the ability to enter the ballpark at dedicated gates at full walking speed without stopping. Fans who choose to opt-in simply register themselves on the award-winning MLB Ballpark app by taking a selfie. That image is then converted into a unique numerical code, and the image itself is deleted. This numerical code, known as a token, is associated with the fan’s account. When the fan walks through a clearly-marked “Go-Ahead Entry Lane,” a facial authentication camera scans the fan’s face to match with the enrolled tokens in the system to see if there is a match.

“Entering an MLB ballpark is a special experience for fans of all ages and a moment that we want our fans to always remember,” said Chris Marinak, MLB Chief Operations & Strategy Officer. “That ballpark experience starts on arrival and we think that Go-Ahead Entry is an opportunity for fans to experience an easier and more welcoming first impression when coming to a game. This system gives our fans a seamless, secure entry option that they’ve been asking for and we’re excited to start getting their feedback in Philadelphia.”

Go-Ahead Entry, which launched this evening prior to the Phillies-Giants game, includes a combination of free-flow security screening technology and facial authentication-based gate management, which results in quicker, hands-free entry into the ballpark. MLB’s Go-Ahead Entry system technology uses a camera that identifies any opted-in fan as a registered member as they walk in - alone or with their group - automatically validating tickets once identified. As a voluntary opt-in program, fans can complete a one-time enrollment by downloading the MLB Ballpark app, where fans simply take a selfie. Any tickets tied to their MLB Ballpark app account will be automatically enrolled for Go-Ahead Entry.

“We’re excited that MLB’s Go-Ahead Entry is making its debut at Citizens Bank Park, allowing our fans to be the first to opt-in and experience a one-of-a-kind, hands-free entry into the ballpark,” said Sean Walker, Phillies Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.

Go-Ahead Entry is available at the First Base Gate of Citizens Bank Park for the remainder of the 2023 regular season. For more information, visit https://www.mlb.com/phillies/ballpark/information/go-ahead-entry.