The FBI grabbed at least 28 unauthorized drones out of the sky near SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles over the course of a single week, as federal law enforcement ramps up an aggressive counter-drone campaign during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The seizures, reported as of June 18, 2026, came alongside similar operations in Atlanta and Kansas City.
In a separate but related case, the FBI arrested five suspects who were allegedly plotting to deploy explosive-laden drones at a UFC event near the White House. The plan, according to investigators, involved using the drones to create chaos and funnel crowds toward sniper positions.
Drones down from coast to coast
The 28 drones seized near SoFi Stadium and the LA Memorial Coliseum fan festival were part of a broader enforcement sweep targeting operators who violated temporary flight restrictions, known as TFRs. These are federally mandated no-fly zones established around major events, and flying a drone into one is illegal.
In Atlanta, the FBI’s field office reported seizing between 21 and 26 drones from unauthorized operators during World Cup matches. Kansas City saw its own incident on June 17, 2026, when agents intercepted eight drones during tournament events. Two operators in Kansas City received formal violation notifications.
