Orlegi Sports Partners with Incode on Fan ID for Mexican Football Stadiums

Orlegi Sports has partnered with identity verification leader Incode to integrate biometric security into its Fan ID program. For fintech professionals, this deployment demonstrates the expanding utility of high-stakes KYC technology beyond financial services, as Mexico’s professional soccer leagues mandate digital identity verification to enhance stadium security and data privacy compliance.

What was announced

Orlegi Sports, the owner of Atlas FC, Santos Laguna, and TM Football Club, is implementing Incode’s identity verification technology to meet new security regulations. These mandates were recently established by Yon de Luisa, President of México’s Soccer Federation (FMF), and Mikel Arriola, Executive President of Mexico’s Soccer League (Liga MX). The technology will be integrated into the existing Orlegi Sports Fan ID program, creating a digital identity layer for match attendees across the group's franchises.

The rollout begins with the match between Santos and Pachuca on April 3, 2022. The system uses artificial intelligence to verify the identity of individuals quickly while ensuring fan data is protected via high-standard encryption processes. This implementation serves as a benchmark for a league-wide requirement for digital identity verification across Liga MX for the 2022–2023 season. By automating the verification process, the partnership aims to balance the need for rigorous security with a frictionless entry experience for spectators on game days.

The system is designed to comply with strict data protection regulations, requiring explicit fan consent before processing personal information. This ensures that the collection of biometric or personal data meets legal standards for privacy while providing the security infrastructure requested by the Mexican Soccer Federation. The collaboration focuses on leveraging AI to provide a safe environment for those attending soccer games without compromising the speed of entry.

"This exercise brings together two great companies that are leveraging artificial intelligence to quickly verify the identity of an individual while meeting stringent data privacy requirements. Incode has a fast and reliable platform that complies with personal data protection regulations and enhances Orlegi Sports’ goal to provide safe environments for those attending its soccer games."

Ricardo Amper, Incode CEO and Founder.

The companies involved

Incode is a prominent player in the identity verification and digital authentication sector, specializing in AI-driven biometric solutions. The company provides a next-generation digital identity platform designed to deliver seamless and secure consumer experiences across various industries, including financial services and sports. Based at incode.com, the firm has established itself as a leader in the field, often partnering with financial institutions and service providers to streamline Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) workflows through automated, high-security verification processes.

Orlegi Sports is a major sports management and ownership group in Mexico. Its portfolio includes prominent soccer clubs such as Atlas FC, Santos Laguna, and TM Football Club. The organization is currently focused on enhancing its community strategy and stadium security through technological integration. By adopting digital identity solutions, Orlegi is positioning its franchises to meet the evolving regulatory demands of the Mexican Soccer Federation and Liga MX, moving toward a more digitized and secure fan engagement model that prioritizes both safety and data privacy.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has followed Incode’s expansion across the fintech and payments landscape as the demand for robust identity verification grows. In May 2023, we reported on how the Mama Money and Incode Partnership Revolutionizes Customer Verification for Cross-Border Payments, highlighting the company's role in securing international remittances. Previously, in October 2022, the Incode Announces Strategic Partnership with Sardine report showcased its integration with fraud prevention platforms to enhance fintech security. Our coverage of the company’s core technology dates back to 2019, when INCODE DELIVERS SEAMLESS AND SECURE CONSUMER EXPERIENCES WITH NEXT-GENERATION DIGITAL IDENTITY PLATFORM first detailed its entry into the secure digital identity market.

What this means

This move signals a significant shift in the identity verification market, as technologies perfected in the fintech sector are increasingly adopted by the sports and entertainment industries. The mandate from Liga MX places immense pressure on identity providers to deliver systems that can handle high-volume, low-latency verification without compromising privacy. For the broader sector, it raises questions about the interoperability of digital IDs across different venues and the long-term storage of biometric data. As sports federations move toward mandatory digital identification, the success of this rollout will likely determine whether biometric "Fan IDs" become a global standard for large-scale public events, potentially opening a massive new vertical for KYC providers.