National Professional Sports and Entertainment Safety and Security Forum a Success
Thank you to everyone who attended the 2026 National Professional Sports and Entertainment Safety and Security Forum in Charlotte, NC. The expert panels and breakout sessions provided insight and new, collaborative ideas for topics that affect our industry daily.
Thank you to our SOLUTION PARTNERS who helped make the forum possible!
Join NCS⁴ at the 17th Annual National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition in Palm Desert
The NCS⁴ invites you to attend the 17th Annual National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition on June 23-25, 2026, at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa in Palm Desert, California, in conjunction with Title Sponsor, ASSA ABLOY. The theme ‘Honoring the Past, Securing the Future, ’ pays tribute to the visionaries, partners, and professionals who have shaped the sport and special event safety and security industry, and looks ahead to the next generation of advancements that will protect spectators, participants, and event stakeholders. This year’s conference will explore emerging challenges, technologies, and strategies that define the future of event safety and security. The conference offers dynamic programming, solution provider engagement, and opportunities to network with fellow professionals. Please consider joining us in California, as the NCS⁴ will also celebrate two decades of dedication, innovation, and collaboration in ensuring the safety and security of sport and special events worldwide.
What to expect as a conference attendee:
- Meet and greet at the opening reception and social
- Hear from leading industry experts on current topics and technology advancements
- Participate in interactive panel discussions
- Attend the Awards Luncheon
- Network with peers
- Engage with panelists and attendees in dynamic breakout sessions
- Explore emerging technologies
- Discover new products and services in the Exhibit Hall
Register by April 15 and save $$$ with the early-bird rate. Prices increase on April 16, 2026.
See complete details and exclusions on the website.
- Member Rate: $700 per person
- Non-Member Rate: $775 per person
- Group Rate: $675 per person (Three or more people from the same organization. Not stackable.)
- Private Sector Attendee: $950 per person (Individuals representing companies that provide products or services to the industry and are not sponsoring or exhibiting.)
Bring Your Team and Save $$$
GROUP DISCOUNT AVAILABLE
Planning to attend the National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition? The most cost-effective way to join us is by bringing your team. We offer discounted registration for groups of three or more, making it easier than ever to invest in professional development, collaboration, and industry-leading insights together. This is your opportunity to ensure your entire team is aligned on the latest safety strategies, security technologies, risk mitigation practices, and leadership insights shaping our industry. Don’t send just one representative. Multiply your impact. Strengthen your operation. Maximize your budget. Register your group today and take advantage of the special rate of $675 per person. Exclusions apply.
Please contact Sara Priebe at sara.priebe@usm.edu or 601-266-6858 for instructions on registering your group.
Last Chance – Apply for the 2026 Golden Eagle Award by March 16.
The 2026 Golden Eagle Award, presented by NCS⁴ in partnership with Security Magazine, recognizes excellence in systems integration, architecture, engineering, and construction projects that put safety and security at the forefront of planning and execution. Your project could do more than protect a venue — it could shape the future of safety and security across the sports and entertainment industry. The winning team will: ✔ Present their case study to the full general session audience at the National Conference ✔ Showcase your innovation, strategy, and measurable results to industry leaders from across the country. ✔ Be recognized as the 2026 Golden Eagle Award winner at the Awards Luncheon Applicants from leading systems integration, architecture, design, engineering, and consulting firms are invited to submit case studies from successful projects that advanced the safety and security of spectators, property, and infrastructure at sports and entertainment facilities. Eligibility Requirement: Applicants must be a registered exhibitor or sponsor of the National Conference to be considered. What judges are looking for:
- The risk or security challenge your team was hired to solve
- Your strategic approach to addressing the issue
- The technologies and solutions implemented
- How safety/security was balanced with the fan experience
- A compelling 600-word case study
Projects will be evaluated on:
- Relevance to the sports industry
- Effectiveness and efficiency of the solution
- Creativity, innovation, and forward-thinking technology
A panel of expert judges will review all submissions and select the most compelling project as the 2026 Golden Eagle Award recipient. Deadline to apply: March 16, 2026 Submit your case study and claim your place among the leaders shaping the future of sports safety and security.
Thank you to our SOLUTION PARTNERS!
Their participation helps make this event possible.
The NCS⁴ is now accepting exhibitors and sponsors. To request information on exhibiting and sponsoring, please visit the website or contact Sara Priebe, NCS⁴ Event and Membership Manager, at sara.priebe@usm.edu or 601-266-6858.
NCS⁴ Staff Presents at Educational Conferences
Several NCS⁴ staff members, in collaboration with NCS⁴ Research Affiliates, presented academic research at various conferences during the past few weeks. NCS⁴ members presented at the Applied Sport Management Conference in Philadelphia, PA, the Sport and Recreation Law Association Conference in New Orleans, and the Region 6 Higher Education Collaborative for Emergency Management Summit at Grambling, LA. The following list includes titles of the presentations along with authorship. Exploring Sports Spectators’ Perceptions of AI Security Technologies in Sport Venues Olukola, O., Olukola, O., Allen, B., Hall, S., & Fridley, A. Field and Court Incursions: A growing concern in Collegiate Athletics Phillips, P., Allen, B., Fried, G., Menaker, B., Wilson, T., Zinn, D., & Levine, J. Analysis of Spectators' Perceptions of Safety and Security Measures at Collegiate and Professional Sport Venues Allen, B. & Hall, S. Security Planning and Risk Mitigation Framework for Sport Event Organizers Hall, S. & Allen, B NCS⁴ Training and Research: Collaborations and training efforts related to FIFA World Cup. Allen, B.
A new technical whitepaper by the NCS⁴ Sports and Entertainment Technology Alliance on “Optimizing Venue Operations with Data-Driven Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Executive Level Reporting” is now available. The whitepaper introduces a practical framework for defining, tracking, and applying KPIs that enhance safety, efficiency, and guest satisfaction, and integrates insights from leaders at SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, the Kansas City Chiefs, Boise State University, the Texas Rangers Baseball Club, and 24/7 Software.
You can view the technical whitepaper by clicking the button below.
GAMEDAY SECURITY Must Read: Thank You For Your Cooperation
Collaboration between the public and private sectors is paramount when planning safety and security operations for a new sports and entertainment district. Read more on page 16 of the GAMEDAY SECURITY Magazine.
Pink Bows Foundation to host ShowStop Procedure Courses in Phoenix, AZ and Arlington, TX
NCS⁴ Members Receive 50% Off course registration
The Pink Bows Foundation will host ShowStop Procedure Courses in Phoenix, AZ, at Chase Field on Friday, April 17, 2026, and in Arlington, TX, at Globe Life Field on Monday, April 20, 2026. For more information on the upcoming courses, click the button below.
Major Events: Navigating Opportunities and Challenges is a 4-day, on-campus executive education program from Harvard Kennedy School designed for leaders to help navigate the challenges and opportunities of hosting or sponsoring a major event. Led by Juliette Kayyem, a renowned leader in homeland security and crisis management, this program will equip leaders with the technical, strategic, and policy foundations necessary to confront and manage these challenges. We invite you to apply, and please reach out to exed@hks.harvard.edu with any questions!
NCS⁴ eLearning Options
The NCS⁴ eLearning platform, NCS⁴ LEARN, provides opportunities for individuals and organizations to access asynchronous professional development opportunities. Current offerings include the following:
- Frontline Staff Foundational Skills
- Crowd Manager Fundamentals
- Venue Staff Training: Security Awareness
- Senior Leader Course: Sports and Entertainment Security
Please visit the website or contact us at NCS4Learn@usm.edu if you have any questions or would like to inquire about bulk registration.
Click one of the links above or the button below for details on registering.
Routledge Handbook of Sport Security
Dr. Stacey Hall, NCS⁴ Executive Director, serves as the editor of the first-ever published Handbook of Sport Security (available in hardback and eBook format). The book provides an in-depth analysis of security issues and concerns in contemporary sport. Featuring the work of 60 leading researchers and practitioners from around the world, it offers practical, evidence-based commentary and guidance covering over 40 chapters. The book examines the multiple stakeholders, agencies, and organizations involved in providing a safe space for spectators, participants, staff, organizations, communities, and sponsors. It considers the coordination of private and public entities in the sports security ecosystem, including facility management, event management, law enforcement, emergency management, emergency medical services, and state/federal government partners, as well as the private sector organizations providing support services. The book also offers a comprehensive analysis of key issues and debates in contemporary sport security, including terrorism, cybersecurity, spectator violence, planning and assessment guidance for sport venues and events of all sizes, management and policy considerations for leaders and decision-makers, and the lessons learned from critical incidents. It introduces the core principles of research methods in sport security and looks ahead at future developments in this rapidly changing field. This is essential reading for any advanced student, researcher, practitioner, or policymaker with an interest in sport studies, security studies, event studies, criminal justice, management, or public policy.
Fundamentals of Crowd Safety Course
NCS⁴ and GKStill International have partnered to jointly offer the Fundamentals of Crowd Safety online eLearning course to address capability gaps in crowd behavior and sciences. Professor Dr. G. Keith Still, Visiting Professor of Crowd Science at the University of Suffolk, developed this certified, accredited course. The course offers an 8-hour online interactive experience designed to teach the essential elements of crowd safety and crowd risk analysis. The course is especially valuable to event organizers, as it ensures that those who complete it are compliant with the NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code — specifically, the areas of section 12 of the code that require a venue to provide a crowd manager trained in crowd management techniques for occupancies exceeding 1,000.
Kraft Sports and Entertainment agrees to help cover security costs of hosting World Cup at Gillette Stadium
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Gillette Stadium announced Thursday that Kraft Sports and Entertainment committed to helping cover the security costs of hosting seven World Cup games at the venue this summer. The announcement comes after Foxborough, Massachusetts, town officials and the Boston Host Committee went back and forth over who would cover the costs of security during the games. Read More.
Here Is Mexico’s Plan to Keep the Country Safe During the World Cup
Officials announced a massive deployment of security forces ahead of the world’s largest sporting event after recent violence prompted safety concerns for the millions of fans expected to attend. Read More.
Team Israel Forced To Hide Logos And Use Bomb Sniffing Dogs For Protection At World Baseball Classic
Several reports this week from the World Baseball Classic have revealed that the Israeli team needs two extra Major League Baseball-provided security agents than the other teams. Read More.
Fan brawl erupts during USA-Mexico World Baseball Classic game
Though the bigger headline came from the stands, where a nasty brawl broke out between fans in the outfield section. A video that spread across social media captured a man in Mexico gear charging toward someone wearing Team USA colors before punches started flying. Read More.