LaLiga will implement the Connected Ball in all its matches

Starting on the first day of the 2026/27 season, LaLiga EA SPORTS will become the first national professional football competition in the world to implement the Connected Ball in all its matches, a technology developed by PUMA and KINEXON that will be integrated with the VAR and semi-automatic offside (SAOT) systems to help the refereeing team.

The system will allow real-time information on the position of the ball and the exact moment of each contact, with the aim of providing greater precision and objectivity in certain referee decisions. The technology could be especially useful in offside actions, handballs, deflections, corner kicks or double touch situations, among other plays in which it is relevant to determine the precise moment of contact.

The Connected Ball incorporates a radio frequency sensor developed by KINEXON inside the official PUMA ball, whose signal will be captured by a network of around twelve antennas installed in each stadium. According to LALIGA, the tests carried out have confirmed that the technology does not modify the behavior of the ball or affect its touch, trajectory, weight or balance.

One of the elements of the system will be the so-called ‘heartbeat’, a signal that identifies the exact moment in which contact with the ball occurs and that can also be integrated into the broadcasts. LALIGA plans to accompany it with graphics and visualizations to facilitate the understanding of the plays and offer spectators and commentators additional information during the matches.

The implementation will also allow the creation of xBALL, a new official LALIGA data layer that will serve to expand broadcasts and digital products. Among other possibilities, it will allow data such as the exact speed of shots, the effect applied to the ball or the trajectory of certain actions to be progressively displayed, in addition to opening the door to future second screen experiences.

The project will have a specific protocol for preparation, verification, custody and management of the balls, as well as training for referees and those responsible for the VAR in charge of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA). Each match will have 14 connected balls: one in play, another under the control of the fourth referee and another twelve distributed in fixed positions around the playing field.

The connected balls will be used exclusively during official matches and not in warm-ups or training sessions. After its implementation in LALIGA EA SPORTS this season, the technology is expected to also reach LALIGA HYPERMOTION starting with the 2027/28 campaign.