La Liga introduces sensor-equipped smart balls for officiating accuracy

La Liga has become the first professional football league in the world to integrate advanced sensor technology directly into match balls. Developed by Kinexon, this innovation aims to enhance the accuracy of officiating and support systems like semi-automated offside technology.

The technology features a lightweight sensor—weighing between 15 and 25 grams—containing an accelerometer and a gyroscope to measure impact force, speed, and trajectory. To facilitate data transmission, 12 specialized antennas have been installed at each of the 20 stadiums. The sensor transmits 560 signals per second to measure impact forces and updates the ball's position 100 times per second via triangulation.

This real-time data is synchronized with stadium camera feeds and sent directly to the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) room to assist in evaluating controversial plays. The implementation includes strict logistics: each club receives 20 sensor-equipped balls, which require 90 minutes of charging for five hours of autonomy. Technical checks are conducted four hours before kickoff to ensure all 14 balls used during a match are fully operational.