Legends Global and BEST Ink Landmark Deal to Secure 250+ Venues

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – February 12, 2026 – In a significant move set to reshape the landscape of live event security, Legends Global has named BEST Crowd Management its premier partner for crowd management and event security services. The national agreement brings one of North America's largest security providers into partnership with a global venue management behemoth, formalizing a plan to standardize safety protocols across more than 250 arenas, stadiums, theaters, and convention centers.

This alliance builds upon an existing collaboration, with BEST Crowd Management, a GardaWorld company, already operating in 14 Legends-affiliated venues, including New York's Barclays Center and Minneapolis' U.S. Bank Stadium. The new designation, however, elevates the relationship from a vendor contract to a strategic partnership, aiming to create a consistent and elevated standard of safety and guest experience for the 165 million guests Legends serves annually.

A Strategic Alliance for a New Era of Live Events

The partnership arrives at a pivotal time for both companies. Legends Global, which recently expanded its massive portfolio through a 2024 merger with ASM Global, is focused on integrating and optimizing operations across its vast network. The appointment of Josh Kritzler as President of North American Venues & Content earlier this month signaled a strategic push for greater alignment between content, commercial strategy, and venue operations. Handing the keys for security and crowd management to a single premier partner is a logical and powerful extension of that strategy.

"Integrating BEST more deeply into our portfolio brings greater operational consistency, national reach, and a proven standard of excellence," said Jeff Wohlschlaeger, Senior Vice President of Managed Venues Partnerships at Legends Global. "Their expertise in security staffing solutions helps ensure our venues are well prepared to deliver seamless, well-coordinated events."

For BEST Crowd Management and its parent company, GardaWorld, the deal represents a major consolidation of its market leadership. By becoming the preferred provider for a venue operator of Legends' scale, the company not only secures a massive portfolio but also sets a precedent in the competitive event services industry. This move allows BEST to implement its methodologies on a national scale, creating efficiencies and showcasing its capabilities across a diverse range of event types, from professional sports and major concert tours to corporate conventions and large-scale civic gatherings.

Redefining Safety in the Modern Venue

The agreement is more than a business transaction; it's a direct response to the evolving complexities of modern event security. In today's environment, venue operators face a difficult balancing act: implementing robust security measures to mitigate risks like disruptive behavior and unauthorized access, while simultaneously ensuring a welcoming and frictionless experience for attendees. Communication breakdowns, inefficient crowd flow, and inadequate emergency response can tarnish an event and a venue's reputation.

This partnership seeks to address these challenges head-on. By standardizing procedures, training, and potentially technology, Legends can ensure a baseline level of excellence across its properties. The industry is increasingly turning to technological solutions, including AI-powered video analytics to predict crowd bottlenecks, advanced weapon detection systems, and real-time communication platforms to coordinate staff. A unified partnership with a firm like BEST, which is a member of the 2025 NCS4 Sports and Entertainment Technology Alliance, facilitates the widespread and coherent adoption of such innovations.

"BEST is committed to supporting Legends Global's vision of delivering truly remarkable experiences, grounded in best-in-class customer service, attention to detail, and professionalism," stated Jeff Spoerndle, Chief Operating Officer at BEST Crowd Management. He emphasized the firm's goal to ensure "every attendee's experience is secure and exceptional."

The Human Element Behind the Barricade

Ultimately, the success of this partnership will rest on the shoulders of the more than 25,000 employees who form the front line of BEST Crowd Management. Technology and protocols are critical, but it is the well-trained, professional, and vigilant human presence that manages queues, de-escalates conflicts, and provides assistance in moments of need. A security guard is often the first and last employee a guest interacts with, making their role pivotal to the overall fan experience.

The press release highlights BEST's commitment to its workforce, noting its proprietary training program, flexible schedules, and career growth opportunities. In an industry known for high turnover and demanding work conditions, investing in employee development is not just an HR initiative but a core component of service quality. Properly trained staff who feel valued are more likely to exhibit the professionalism and attention to detail that this partnership promises to deliver.

This focus on the human element is crucial for translating a high-level corporate strategy into a tangible reality on the event floor. From managing the entry rush at a sold-out concert to providing clear directions at a sprawling convention center, the performance of these individuals will be the most visible metric of the partnership's success.

From Barclays Center to a National Standard

The existing collaboration at 14 venues provides a proven blueprint for this national expansion. The successes and lessons learned at marquee locations like Barclays Center and U.S. Bank Stadium have given both organizations the confidence to scale their efforts. This phased experience allows for a smoother integration, avoiding the pitfalls of a completely cold start.

For the millions of fans attending events at Legends venues, the impact should be a subtle but significant improvement in their experience. The goal is a security presence that is both effective and unobtrusive, creating an environment where guests feel safe without feeling restricted. This means shorter, more efficient entry lines, staff who are helpful and professional, and the quiet confidence that a well-drilled team is prepared for any contingency.

As this landmark partnership rolls out across North America, it will serve as a large-scale test case for the future of event management. If successful, it will have demonstrated that a strategic, standardized approach to security can elevate the live experience for everyone, creating a new benchmark for safety and service across the entire industry.