What pilots were told during the 2026 World Cup no-drone zones

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Match-day stadium TFRs generally reach three nautical miles from the venue and from the surface to 3,000 feet AGL. The FAA also lists separate drone restrictions around some fan events, hotels, base camps, and training facilities. Those can use different radii, altitudes, and active windows from the stadium restriction.

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A LAANC approval or another routine airspace authorization does not override an active TFR. The FAA says a pilot must be specifically authorized to operate inside the restriction. That distinction matters in host cities where an otherwise familiar launch site can become unavailable for a narrow event window.

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The consequence is more serious than a denied client shoot. The FAA warns that unauthorized flights can lead to drone seizure, certificate action, civil penalties, and criminal prosecution. The agency is also using drone detection and mitigation capabilities during the tournament.

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Build a host-city preflight around the live TFR map, the full NOTAM text, and a last check immediately before launch. If a restriction touches the planned route, move the operation or obtain the specific authorization it requires. Do not infer access from the absence of a warning in a general-purpose flight app.