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Success Story
From minutes to seconds: Cricket Australia transforms event access with Zebra Technologies
Cricket Australia wanted to provide a fast, reliable, and secure accreditation scanning solution to verify authorised personnel across nearly 40 venues, eliminating entry delays, reducing security risks, and supporting large-scale match operations.
Zebra Success Story: Cricket Australia
Overview: Hospitality Challenge
Coordinating the access of 16,500 accredited personnel across nearly 40 venues each season is a huge task for Cricket Australia. The organization began searching for a more reliable solution, evaluating devices that could withstand the operational demands of live sporting events.
Benefits / Outcomes
- Accreditation time cut from minutes to 10 seconds
- 45,000 scans in one season
- 11,500+ accredited personnel supported annually
- 90% shorter queues
- Zero device repairs across 200+ matches
- Reduced pressure on security staff
- Improved planning with real-time data
About Cricket Australia
Cricket holds a special place in Australia’s national identity, drawing thousands of fans to stadiums each summer and capturing the attention of audiences across the country, and beyond. Delivering these matches at a national scale is the responsibility of Cricket Australia, a not-for-profit organisation founded more than a century ago. While the spotlight is on the game, many are working behind the scenes—from security and operations to broadcasting—to deliver the best experience possible.
Coordinating the access of 16,500 accredited personnel across nearly 40 venues each season is a huge task for Cricket Australia. “Security is critical, we need to know who is inside our venues at all times. To prevent fraudulent individuals from trying to gain entry, we need a robust system that can identify accreditation holders effectively and smoothly,” explains Jackson Gooddy, Accreditation Lead at Cricket Australia. That’s where Renovotec and Zebra Technologies came in, enabling fast, reliable identification that helps venues maintain both operational efficiency and a smooth experience for stakeholders.
The Challenge
The legacy systems supporting Cricket Australia’s accreditation program were not always up to the task. Staff were relying on consumer-grade handheld devices to scan personnel in. Since some venues couldn’t offer Wi-Fi, the team depended heavily on mobile data connectivity, which proved unreliable in crowded stadium environments. “When you go to a stadium, and everyone is on their mobile phone during a break, the network becomes overloaded,” shares Gooddy. “We’d have times where the devices would go down completely, and we’d have no scanning capability.”
This could dramatically slow entry verification, disrupting critical workflows and creating stressful conditions for staff and stakeholders during live matches. “When major teams visit, the environment is already high-pressure. Stakeholders shouldn’t also have to worry about delays entering or exiting the venue,” notes Gooddy. Slow verification also placed pressure on security personnel, as individuals would even try to bypass checkpoints. “Safety and security are the priorities of our accreditation team and Cricket Australia, so we need to provide the safest and most reliable system possible for our fans to come enjoy a game without hassle or worries,” Gooddy adds.
We can scan someone in about five to 10 seconds. Before, it could take between two and three minutes. Previously, queues could be 40 to 50 people long. Now, they are typically only four or five people deep.
The Solution
Cricket Australia began searching for a more reliable solution, evaluating devices that could withstand the operational demands of live sporting events. Another major sporting organisation had successfully deployed Zebra devices, and a member of Cricket Australia’s technology team had previously used them with good results. To ensure the right fit, the organisation engaged Zebra partner Renovotec for guidance. “Renovotec walked us through multiple device options,” recalls Gooddy. “They respected our operational and budget constraints and worked with us to find the best fit. Zebra was the clear choice.”
Zebra through key partner Renovotec provided demo devices so Cricket Australia could evaluate performance in real match environments. The organisation chose the Zebra TC2 Series Mobile Computer, which stood out with a reliable two-to-three-meter scan range and strong performance at an accessible price point. Cricket Australia’s technology team implemented its accreditation application. Initial setup took about a week as the team refined configuration and workflows, but once established, new devices could be deployed within a single day.
Event security guards received training materials. “Some security personnel are less familiar with technology, but the devices are extremely intuitive,” shares Gooddy. “It was simply a matter of showing them how to press a button and point the scanner at the accreditation.”
The Zebra Difference: Outcome and Benefits
Thanks to the TC2 Series Mobile Computers, accredited personnel can now walk in, get scanned instantly, and move on. “We can scan someone in about five to 10 seconds. Before, it could take between two and three minutes, up to 10, depending on the issue the devices had,” Gooddy shares. The TC2 Series has reduced congestion at entry points by around 90%. “Previously, queues could be 40 to 50 people long. Now, they are typically only four or five people deep—and those delays are usually just due to bag checks, not scanning issues.”
The improved performance has enabled Cricket Australia to manage record volumes with confidence. “For most matches, we would typically process around 300 to 400 accredited personnel per day,” Gooddy explains. “But with Zebra, during major international fixtures this year, that number exceeded 600 on multiple occasions.” During peak periods, up to 800 accredited personnel have been processed in a single day, contributing to approximately 45,000 scan-ins across the summer season.
Scanning is also a lot more convenient now—previously, guards often had to hold badges directly in front of handheld devices and wait for cameras to focus, requiring close physical proximity. With the Zebra TC2’s extended scanning range, accreditation can now be verified from several meters away. Guards receive instant visual confirmation on the device screen—green indicating authorised access and red indicating denied entry—allowing them to make decisions immediately. “This means security can do their job efficiently without invading anyone’s personal space,” Gooddy adds.
The biggest impact has been on staff. “Feedback from our frontline teams and leadership has been extremely positive,” shares Gooddy. “Ultimately, the greatest benefit is peace of mind. Staff and stakeholders don’t have to worry about delays or system failures, while security personnel no longer have to deal with frustrated individuals waiting to get in.” The ease of use made a difference in the field, especially for senior staff members. “One of our long-time security guards came over after his first shift and said, ‘This is amazing. It just makes my life easier,’” Gooddy recalls.
The Zebra mobile computers also give Cricket Australia real-time visibility into accreditation activity, allowing the team to maintain accurate records of who is on site at any given moment—an essential capability for emergency management. Beyond safety, the data provides valuable operational insight. “By analysing traffic patterns, we can identify underused access points, optimise staffing, and improve planning for future events,” Gooddy adds.
The Zebra TC2 devices have proven exceptionally durable in demanding, real-world conditions. “We’ve gone through an entire season—over 200 cricket matches—without needing to send a single device for repair. Previously, damage and device failures were common,” notes Gooddy. If a device does require servicing in the future, Zebra OneCare provides fast repair turnaround and multi-year coverage, ensuring Cricket Australia can maintain uninterrupted accreditation operations.
Impressed by these results, Cricket Australia plans to expand its use of Zebra devices across more venues and deeper into stadium operations. “With Zebra and Renovotec, we’ve already transformed what was once a frustrating process into a simple and efficient workflow,” Gooddy concludes. “But we’re only just scratching the surface of what the technology can do. The more visibility we have, the more we can improve—and we’re excited to continue building on that.”
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