US TSA Reports 300 Drones Seized Near World Cup Venues

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced on Tuesday that US federal and local law enforcement agencies have seized more than 300 unauthorized drones near FIFA World Cup venues since the tournament began on June 11. The enforcement actions are part of a coordinated, zero-tolerance security framework involving the TSA, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and local police departments to protect stadiums, fan zones, and surrounding infrastructure.

US authorities issued public warnings ahead of the tournament outlining strict penalties to deter unauthorized unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations near World Cup-related activities. Security officials said that while most of the recorded incursions appear to be recreational, every detected unauthorized flight triggers a response, as the operator’s intent cannot be immediately determined upon detection. 

The heightened security posture follows broader federal efforts to mitigate drone-related threats, including an executive order signed last year by President Donald Trump to strengthen domestic defenses against drone activity, as well as the deployment of new counter-drone systems by the Department of Homeland Security along the US-Mexico border in Texas. Security protocols for the tournament were also informed by a recent attempted disruption targeting Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events near the White House.

“All 78 matches in the United States have counter-drone mitigation protection, and every fan fest—one in each host city throughout the duration of the World Cup—will have counter-drone coverage,” said Andrew Giuliani, head, White House World Cup Task Force, in a statement to ABC News. He added: “You are welcome. Drones are not welcome… so do not fly your drones.”

The temporary flight restrictions establish specific geographic and altitude limits around official tournament sites. On match days, all aircraft operations, including drones, are prohibited within a three-nautical-mile radius (approximately 3 miles) and up to 3,000 feet above ground level around active stadiums, unless explicitly authorized by air traffic control. Similar restrictions apply to official fan gatherings and festivals, where unauthorized drones are prohibited within a one-nautical-mile radius and up to 1,000 feet above ground level.

The restrictions extend across all 11 US host cities participating in the tournament. The United States is hosting 78 matches across its 11 venues, including the New York/New Jersey area, which is scheduled to host the World Cup Final. Additional matches are being held across three venues in Mexico and two in Canada.

Regional enforcement data points to concentrated activity in specific jurisdictions. The FBI’s Miami field office confirmed that it has deployed specialized teams around World Cup stadiums to detect and neutralize unauthorized unmanned aircraft. In Florida alone, federal authorities issued citations to 49 drone operators for unauthorized flights and seized 54 drones.

According to official statements published by the TSA on the social media platform X and by the FAA, operators who enter restricted airspace without authorization face federal criminal charges, permanent confiscation of equipment, administrative fines of up to US$100,000, and potential prison sentences.

Federal agencies have increasingly prosecuted airspace violations at major sporting events under existing national defense airspace laws. In January 2025, a man pleaded guilty after being charged with violating defense airspace by flying an unauthorized drone over a National Football League (NFL) playoff game in Baltimore. In a separate case in April 2024, a Massachusetts man was charged after operating an unauthorized drone near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, an incident in which law enforcement intercepted and seized the aircraft mid-air.