Nota de Prensa
WED 12.08.2026
In August, LALIGA will become the world’s first national professional football competition to roll out ‘Connected Ball’ technology on a large scale, deploying it across all LALIGA EA SPORTS matches, integrated alongside VAR and SAOT technologies, thereby reinforcing its position as a global leader in football innovation, technological development and competition integrity. The initiative also reinforces LALIGA’s commitment to continuing to evolve the audiovisual experience and the way in which fans, broadcasters and digital platforms consume football.
The initiative is the result of close collaboration between LALIGA, the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA), PUMA and KINEXON, and combines elite football performance, advanced sports technology and a comprehensive operational framework designed to support refereeing decisions, enhance the transparency of the competition and improve the audiovisual experience for fans. The introduction of the Connected Ball will also enable the creation of xBALL, LALIGA’s new official data layer, which will serve as the foundation for future innovations in broadcasting, digital technology and match analysis.
The technology will be available for all LALIGA EA SPORTS matches from the first matchday of the 2026/27 season in August and will be accompanied by an extensive training programme for referees and VAR officials led by the CTA, ensuring consistent application of the information – which helps to make decisions more objective – across all stadiums and match environments.
At the heart of the system is a radio-frequency sensor developed by KINEXON and integrated into the official PUMA match ball. The sensor continuously and accurately transmits real-time information on the ball’s position and the exact moment of each contact. The data generated by the sensor is captured via a network of around twelve antennas installed in each stadium and integrated into the extensive technological ecosystem that LALIGA utilises for the competition.
It is essential to emphasise that the sensor does not alter the behaviour, performance or playing characteristics of the PUMA match ball. PUMA has worked closely with KINEXON to ensure that the integration of the technology meets the highest performance standards of elite football, whilst preserving the integrity of the game.
Extensive validation tests and blind trials carried out with players have confirmed that there is no perceptible difference between a standard match ball and one fitted with sensors in terms of feel, trajectory, weight, balance or the overall playing experience.
Supporting key decisions with objective data
By accurately identifying the precise moment of contact between the player and the ball, the system significantly reduces uncertainty in situations where a few milliseconds can make a decisive difference. It thus helps to objectify decisions in incidents relating to offside, handball, deflections and touches, corner kick calls, double-touch situations and all those actions where it is important to confirm the exact moment of contact.
Enhancing transparency and the fans’ experience
One of the most visible elements of the system is the ‘heartbeat’ signal generated by the sensor located inside the ball. This signal identifies the exact moment the ball makes contact, which adds an extra level of transparency and removes uncertainty surrounding frame selection in offside analysis. The heartbeat signal will also be integrated into the broadcast, alongside specific graphics and visualisations designed to translate the data from Connected Ball technology and the decision-making processes into a more understandable, transparent and engaging experience for viewers.
The technology will also provide commentators and broadcasters with an additional source of information, helping to explain key moments with greater clarity and accuracy during live broadcasts. In addition, xBALL is being launched – a new official layer of match data capable of enriching broadcasts, digital experiences and fan engagement. This data will enable broadcasts to show the exact speed of shots, the spin applied to the ball or the trajectory of certain key moments. This will be compatible with LALIGA’s international broadcast signal, digital products and future ‘second-screen’ experiences, and will be rolled out progressively following the first few matchdays.
A comprehensive operational protocol
To ensure consistency across all venues, a comprehensive implementation protocol has been developed to regulate the preparation, verification, safekeeping and management of connected match balls. This protocol will be applied in all LALIGA EA SPORTS stadiums and complies with the new standards that are beginning to be adopted by major international football competitions.
Before each match, every ball is identified, charged, checked and validated through a specific operational process designed to ensure maximum reliability from the kick-off to the final whistle.
Connected balls are reserved exclusively for use in official matches and are not used during warm-ups or training sessions, thereby ensuring the integrity of the system and the quality of the signal. Each match will feature 14 connected balls: one in play, another held by the fourth official, and twelve balls positioned at fixed points around the pitch as part of the multi-ball system. The protocol also sets out responsibilities regarding ball management, signal verification, connectivity testing and incident management, ensuring a consistent operational framework throughout the competition.
Overall, the project represents a further step in LALIGA’s commitment to improving football through innovation, whilst preserving the essence of the game. Following its roll-out in LALIGA EA SPORTS, the technology is also expected to be introduced in LALIGA HYPERMOTION from the 2027/28 season onwards.
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