By Dronelife Features Editor Jim Magill
Texas DPS deploys counter-drone tech for World Cup.
(Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of reports on efforts to establish new counter-UAS protocols in the U.S. to protect high profile sporting events and critical infrastructure from the potential threats posed by drones flown by careless or hostile actors.)
The Texas Department of Public Safety has unveiled its counter-UAS strategy designed to provide airspace protection for FIFA World Cup 2026 matches and other large-scale events set to take place this summer in the Lone Star State.
Texas DPS Takes Lead on Counter-UAS Deployment in Dallas and Houston
As the state’s primary law enforcement agency, DPS is taking the lead in the acquisition and deployment of drone-detection and -mitigation technology in Dallas and Houston, the two Texas cities slated to host World Cup matches and related events such as Fan Festivals. According to a DPS email statement, the agency’s technology will utilize advanced detection methods — including radio-frequency monitoring and FAA-mandated Remote ID signals — to identify and track a wide range of unmanned aircraft systems in real time.
In a press statement, DPS Director Colonel Freeman F. Martin said the deployment of the technology will help secure the skies above World Cup matches and related events in the two cities.
“Major international events like the FIFA World Cup bring millions of visitors to Texas and place incredible demands on public safety and critical infrastructure protection,” Martin said. “DPS is fully committed to using every available resource — including advanced drone-mitigation technology — to safeguard Texans, secure key venues and infrastructure.”
$3.2 Million FEMA Grant Funds Texas Counter-Drone Capabilities
The counter-UAS capabilities will be funded with $3.2 million in federal monies, as part of the $250 million grant administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The FEMA grant was established last year to provide funding for counter-UAS systems in U.S. World Cup host states and the National Capital Region.
In an emailed statement to DroneLife, the DPS said the counter-UAS systems it will establish will include technologies for both drone detection and identification, as well as drone mitigation.
“The system will provide mitigation capabilities designed to safely disrupt or take control of unauthorized drones that may pose a risk to public safety, emergency response efforts or critical infrastructure, all in compliance with federal law and oversight,” the statement says.
Detection, Identification, and Non-Kinetic Mitigation: How the System Works
The state police agency assured the public that the NDAA-compliant counter-UAS systems it plans to deploy would utilize non-kinetic methods for bringing problematic drones down to earth.
“These technologies do not involve firing projectiles at drones or employing other kinetic countermeasures. DPS will comply with all applicable regulations and guidance established by our federal partners regarding the deployment and operation of this technology.”
Over the last several months the DPS has worked closely with local, state and federal partners in preparation for the FIFA World Cup events set to get underway in both major cities on June 14. In the interest of maintaining operational security, DPS declined to discuss specific details regarding personnel assignments, equipment placement locations or operational deployment strategies.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Venues Designated Official No Drone Zones
The FAA and law enforcement have officially designated all FIFA World Cup 2026 stadiums and surrounding event spaces as strict “No Drone Zones.” According to the DPS, all drone operators seeking authorization to fly within any World Cup-associated Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) areas will have to apply for prior approval in order to operate in the restricted airspace.
“Any unmanned aircraft operating within a TFR without authorization will be considered unauthorized and subject to mitigation measures in accordance with federal law and established procedures,” the statement says.
DPS said it is able to configure its new drone-mitigation systems for both stationary and mobile deployment, allowing operators to monitor the airspace above World Cup venues and related events from fixed locations or while on the move.
“In addition to detection, the system will provide mitigation capabilities designed to safely disrupt or take control of unauthorized drones that may pose a risk to public safety, emergency response efforts or critical infrastructure, all in compliance with federal law and oversight.”
In order to be authorized to deploy the mitigation technology, DPS operators are first required to complete specialized training at the FBI’s National Counter-Unmanned Training Center (NCUTC) at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. The training focuses on lawful drone-mitigation operations, system utilization and coordinated response efforts during high-profile events.
Safer Skies Act Provides Legal Framework for Texas Counter-UAS Operations
DPS has established its counter-UAS and drone-mitigation systems in compliance with the Safer Skies Act, which Congress passed in December as part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2026. The Act gives state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) law enforcement agencies the authority to detect, and in some cases bring down, UAVs that pose a potential threat to people or property.
“Together, the FEMA grant funding and 2026 NDAA provide DPS with the legal authority and operational resources necessary to address emerging aerial threats and maintain secure environments for Texans and visitors alike,” the DPS said.
The state police agency reminded all drone operators who wish to fly during World Cup events that they must ensure that they do so in full compliance with FAA regulations.
“Drone users are encouraged to review current requirements, register their drones and comply with all airspace restrictions while flying. Additional information on safe and lawful drone operations — including registration requirements, flight rules and restricted airspace guidance — can be found on the FAA’s official website at FAA Drone Zone and FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems Information Page,” the police agency said.
World Cup events in Texas will kick off at 1 pm Central time on June 14 with a match between Germany and Curaçao at Houston’s NRG Stadium, which will be designated as Houston Stadium for the duration of the tournament. The same day, at 3 pm a match will kick off between The Netherlands and Japan in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, which will be designated as Dallas Stadium.
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Jim Magill is a Houston-based writer with almost a quarter-century of experience covering technical and economic developments in the oil and gas industry. After retiring in December 2019 as a senior editor with S&P Global Platts, Jim began writing about emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, robots and drones, and the ways in which they’re contributing to our society. In addition to DroneLife, Jim is a contributor to Forbes.com and his work has appeared in the Houston Chronicle, U.S. News & World Report, and Unmanned Systems, a publication of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International.
