SANDY, Utah (Tuesday, April 20, 2016) – Rio Tinto Stadium General Manager Craig Martin confirmed today that the world-class – home to Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake and also includes the Real Monarchs (USL) amongst its tenants – is one of 20 MLS buildings to elevate its minimum security standards.
New guest screening measures and the enforcement of the minimum standard Bag Policy are introduced immediately, beginning with Saturday’s 7:00 p.m. MT Real Monarchs contest and the 7:30 p.m. MT start on April 30 between RSL and Houston. As always, fans are encouraged to arrive early in order to minimize the chance of missing kickoff.
The elevated security standards – unanimously supported by the Major League Soccer Board of Governors, involving input from all 20 MLS clubs – bring MLS events in line with security measures taken by the other professional sports leagues in North America, and will be applied across all MLS stadiums to ensure a safe environment for soccer fans.
“Public safety is a top priority and the enhanced security measures will ensure that fans are able to continue to enjoy MLS and SUM events in a safe environment,” said MLS President and Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott.
These security standards will apply to all MLS, SUM, and USL games played at MLS venues, including but not limited to MLS League and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup games, friendly matches, and fan events.
“The safety of our fans, players and staff is paramount,” said Ray Whitworth, MLS Senior VP of Security and Operations. “The updated security measures bring us in line with professional sports leagues around the United States and Canada while maintaining the unique sports experience that is MLS.”
Under the new security policy all guests will be fully screened upon entry into MLS venues. The screenings will be conducted via a full pat down or with the use of a search wand or magnetometers. In order to expedite ingress and provide minimal inconvenience to guests, Rio Tinto Stadium expects operational magnetometers at each gate along with increased number of security and staff to assist with ease of ingress, with the primary goal of ensuring a quality experience for all guests.
Under Major League Soccer’s new league-wide Bag Policy, fans are prohibited from bringing the following into a stadium:
- Any bag larger than 14’’x14’’x6’’ – including, but not limited to:
- Large purses
- Coolers
- Briefcases
- Backpacks
- Luggage of any kind
- Computer bags
- Camera bags
In addition, all bags will be subject to search upon entry (clear bags recommended to expedite ingress and ease search processes).
Special considerations will be made for guests with special medical needs and parents caring for infants.
**The bag restriction will not apply to credentialed media, who will continue to enter MLS stadiums through designated entrances and adhere to all posted media bag policies and screenings.
