The Spanish league becomes the first national championship in the world to introduce Connected Ball technology in all matches. The debut is already this Saturday in the clash between Alavés and Getafe.
LaLiga EA Sports is introducing revolutionary technology from the upcoming 2026/2027 season that will fundamentally change the way football is officiated. The Spanish professional league will become the first national championship in the world to use the Connected Ball, a ball equipped with advanced sensors, in all matches.
The technology has been developed in collaboration with PUMA and KINEXON, and will be implemented in close coordination with the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA). From the first round, the system will work alongside the existing Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and semi-automated offside technology (SAOT).
At the heart of the innovation is a sensor weighing just 15 grams, equipped with an accelerometer and gyroscope, which records the forces acting on the ball. As reported by ABC.es, the device sends approximately 560 signals per second, and 12 antennas will be installed at each stadium to ensure full pitch coverage. The system allows precise determination of the exact moment of every kick.
The technology does not alter the trajectory or flight of the ball, and before each match, the balls require 90 minutes of charging in wireless stations. Battery life is around five hours, and 14 connected balls will be available for each match.
Referees will use the ball data in five main situations: potential offsides with intervening touches, determining the exact moment of contact, suspected handballs, tackles and duels on the edge of the rules, and 50-50 balls. Particularly notable is the application in set pieces, especially penalties and possible double touches by the taker.
The Professional Football League has already conducted tests with clubs from the first and second divisions, and the technology has previously been used in work with FIFA and UEFA. The implementation will cover all 20 stadiums in the Primera División, while the introduction in the Segunda División is planned for the following season (2027/2028).
The first match to use the new technology is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, when Alavés and Getafe meet. Interestingly, even a stadium change, like the one at Rayo Vallecano, will not pose a problem for the system's implementation.
