TEXAS, USA — The Texas Department of Public Safety now has the legal authority and technology to take control of drones flying in restricted airspace near AT&T Stadium during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
DPS said the new drone mitigation technology will help secure the skies around the stadium, where large crowds are expected during tournament matches.
The technology comes six months after NBC 5 received an exclusive look at DPS’s airborne drone detection system with Marcus Tomerlin, assistant chief pilot for Texas DPS Aircraft Operations.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency recently awarded DPS $3.2 million to purchase advanced technology designed to detect and mitigate unauthorized or potentially dangerous drone activity. DPS said the system uses advanced detection methods, including radio-frequency monitoring and federally mandated remote identification signals.
The agency said it can take control of drones using “non-kinetic means,” meaning without force or destruction. DPS said it can land a drone in a designated area and does not intend to damage the aircraft. Tomerlin said the goal is to identify why the drone was flying in restricted airspace.
“We just want to take custody of the drone, identify the pilot and then conduct an investigation as to why they’re operating their drone in that specific restricted airspace,” Tomerlin said.
DPS said the technology will be placed near AT&T Stadium, where some of the tournament’s largest crowds are expected. A temporary flight restriction typically extends three miles around the stadium and 3,000 feet above it.
Tomerlin compared drone mitigation to technology law enforcement has used for years to safely stop vehicles through onboard electronic systems.
“Something we know as OnStar, where a suspect was fleeing from law enforcement, and we could call that the vendor and say, we need to shut this vehicle down, to mitigate any further risk of harming the public due to this guy fleeing, and we could safely bring that vehicle to a stop,” Tomerlin said.
DPS operators have completed specialized counter-UAS training conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The training focuses on lawful drone mitigation operations, system use and coordinated response efforts during high-profile events.
Tomerlin urged drone operators to check restrictions before flying.
“Fly responsibly. We want you to take the FAA course, go to FAA.gov/UAS, gather the resources, check your NOTAMS, check your airspace before you fly and just overall fly responsibly, and just understand that now any unauthorized drone activity may result in enforcement action,” he said.
