HOUSTON – There is a new entry method which will allow fans coming to Houston Astros games at Minute Maid Park to get through the gates faster.
It’s called Go-Ahead Entry, and it promises to get fans to their seats and enjoying the big games faster than ever before.
First introduced last season at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, the Go-Ahead Entry system uses facial authentication technology to allow ticket holders who have chosen to use the service to enter the ballpark at dedicated gates at full walking speed without stopping. Go-Ahead Entry will be available at all entrances at Minute Maid Park in 2024. Fans will also have the option at all entrances to enter via traditional ticket scanning methods.
“After a successful pilot program last season, we’re excited to bring the Go-Ahead Entry option to more fans this season,” said Karri Zaremba, Senior Vice President, Product – Ballpark Experience and Ticketing, MLB. “This technology is the next innovation for the ballpark experience as we continue to remove friction and help fans better enjoy their time at our games. By expanding Go-Ahead Entry to more stadiums across the league, more fans have the opportunity to experience this innovative system and spend more time watching the action on the field.”
How it works
Fans can enroll in Go-Ahead Entry on the MLB Ballpark app. First, you will take a photo of yourself which will be associated with your account. This image is also known as a token and is converted into a unique alphanumeric code before the image itself is deleted.
Digital tickets will be uploaded to the app. Then, when you go to enter the stadium through the Go-Ahead Entry lanes, a facial authentication camera scans your face to match the token in the system, which will then allow you access.
Once a person has enrolled in MLB Go-Ahead Entry, they can use the service at any MLB ballpark that has installed the technology.
How has this program worked in other areas?
The Go-Ahead Entry pilot program launched at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia in Aug. 2023.
Major League Baseball says fans who used Go-Ahead Entry lanes at Citizens Bank Park last season went through 68% faster than a traditional entry lane, with 2.5 times more throughput than the next fastest traditional lane.
Go-Ahead Entry will be available at the Astros’ home opener against the New York Yankees Thursday. The game is scheduled to start at 3:10 p.m.