Chelsea's Supporters' Trust announced that the Metropolitan Police will implement live facial recognition technology during the upcoming match between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC on Saturday, 24 October 2026. This fixture has been classified as a "high-risk" encounter, prompting increased security measures.

In a statement shared on X, the CST revealed that the police communicated their plans, emphasizing the seriousness of the event due to the intense rivalry between the two London clubs. The police's message stated:

"Live Facial Recognition (LFR) will be deployed during the policing operation for the Chelsea FC v Tottenham Hotspur FC football fixture, which has been assessed as a high-risk match."

The deployment will involve two LFR vans stationed at Earl's Court and West Brompton, focusing on the pre-match period. Signage will inform fans about the recognition zone, adhering to the MPS LFR policy. The watchlist for the operation will include individuals with Football Banning Orders, those wanted for serious offences, and missing persons.

Both the Premier League and relevant football stakeholders have expressed support for this initiative.

As for the teams, Chelsea FC currently sits fourth in the Premier League standings, accumulating 13 points from their first seven matches, including victories against Bournemouth and Everton. Conversely, Tottenham Hotspur recently secured their first win of the season against Coventry City, moving out of the relegation zone with six points from their seven games.