NFL, MLB, Other Leagues Could Soon Get Counter-Drone Support

NFL in 2024 experienced more than 2,800 drone incursions into the temporary flight restrictions around its stadiums.

Jack Daleo

Friday, December 12, 2025 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Zach Vasile

A November 2023 NFL game at M&T Bank Stadium, home to the Baltimore Ravens, was halted twice because of a rogue drone. [Credit: Joey Pulone/Baltimore Ravens]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. House passed the Safer Skies Act, included in the 2026 NDAA, to counter a significant rise in unauthorized drone incursions at major public gatherings and sporting events.
The act expands drone interception authority from exclusively federal agencies to state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments.
This measure aims to bolster security for upcoming large-scale events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, providing SLTTs with training, approved technology, and federal grant funding.

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The National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), and other American professional sports leagues could soon receive some much-needed support to counter a spike in drone incursions.

The U.S. House on Wednesday voted 312-112 to pass the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which contains a little-known but consequential provision called the Safer Skies Act.