The Game Just Got More Connected: Connected Ball Technology Comes to LALIGA
Together with LALIGA and PUMA, KINEXON Sports is integrating real-time ball intelligence across every LALIGA EA SPORTS match, supporting officiating and creating new possibilities for broadcasts, analysis and fans.
[Madrid, Spain, August 2026] From the opening matchday of the 2026⁄27 season, KINEXON Connected Ball Technology will be integrated into the official PUMA match ball across every LALIGA EA SPORTS match. Together with LALIGA and PUMA, KINEXON Sports is connecting real time ball intelligence directly with the league’s officiating and technology ecosystem.
The rollout marks an important step towards a more connected game. A technology proven at landmark FIFA and UEFA tournaments is becoming part of the week in, week out operating model of a leading domestic league.
More Than a Ball
At the centre of the Connected Ball Technology is a lightweight sensor developed by KINEXON Sports and integrated into the official PUMA match ball. KINEXON Sports offers the technology through its xBall. The sensor captures high frequency information about movement and contact events and transmits that data to a dedicated antenna network installed in the stadium. The ball becomes a live source of real time intelligence within the wider competition ecosystem.
When combined with video and player tracking technologies, the data provides a precise time reference for the moment the ball is played. This is particularly valuable for Semi Automated Offside Technology, where selecting the correct kick point is essential, and for incidents involving subtle touches, deflections or potential double contacts, including contacts that may be difficult to establish from conventional broadcast footage alone.
The result is an additional source of objective information that can help VAR teams analyze decisive situations faster and with greater precision.
Connected Where Decisions Happen
Connected Ball Technology does not automate the referee’s judgement and does not replace VAR. The sensor detects and timestamps a contact event. Match officials interpret what happened, apply the Laws of the Game, and make the decision.
This distinction matters. The value of the system is better evidence at the moment it is needed. It does not remove people from the process. The ball’s visible “heartbeat” signal also makes this evidence easier to explain. By showing the precise timing of a contact, it can reduce uncertainty around the moment selected for an offside or touch analysis and help broadcasters give viewers a clearer account of the review.
Connecting the Game Beyond Officiating
The connected ball creates value beyond officiating. Real time data about speed, spin, movement and flight path can support broadcast graphics, commentary, performance analysis and future digital fan experiences. At the heart of this is KINEXON xBall, a sensor based tracking system that captures real time data directly from the ball, including position, speed, spin and every touch. This live game data can be used for instant visualisation and richer broadcast storytelling.
For broadcast, this becomes a new official xBall data layer: an additional source of information that helps commentators explain key moments with greater clarity and that can enrich live graphics, LALIGA’s digital products and future second screen experiences. Shown alongside the visualised “heartbeat” signal and the context around a decision, it helps audiences follow both the action and the review process. That means one trusted data source can support two ambitions: helping officials understand a decisive match moment and helping broadcasters, analysts and digital teams bring that moment to life for audiences.
More Connected. Still the Same Game.
The ambition is not technology for technology’s sake. Connected Ball Technology is designed to add intelligence while preserving the performance of the official match ball, the natural flow of play and the authenticity of football.
Built for League Wide Operation
Deploying Connected Ball Technology across a season takes more than placing a sensor inside a ball. It requires reliable stadium infrastructure, real-time data processing, and a consistent operating model for every match.
KINEXON Sports is working with LALIGA, its Technical Committee of Referees (CTA), and PUMA on the end-to-end setup, from sensor integration and stadium connectivity to ball identification, charging, verification, signal checks and matchday support. Extensive validation and player testing are designed to ensure that the technology adds intelligence without compromising the performance or feel of the official match ball.
“The introduction of Connected Ball Technology across LALIGA marks a significant milestone in the evolution of modern football. By combining sensor-based ball intelligence with advanced video systems, match officials gain access to objective, real-time data that supports faster, more accurate decision-making and brings greater transparency and confidence to key moments. Together with PUMA and LALIGA, we are bringing technology proven on the world’s biggest stages to every LALIGA EA SPORTS match across a full domestic league season. We are proud to support LALIGA as it continues to advance innovation in the game.”
More than a ball. More ways to understand and experience the game. Together with LALIGA and PUMA, KINEXON Sports is proud to make football more connected across the entire season.
About KINEXON Sports
KINEXON Sports is a global innovation leader in real-time sports tracking and analytics, dedicated to helping teams, leagues, and federations innovate the game. With cutting-edge technology, KINEXON delivers precise data and actionable insights, empowering coaches and organizations to translate performance metrics into impactful decisions. Trusted by over 500 professional teams and multiple major sports competitions worldwide, KINEXON sets the gold standard in real-time sports tracking.
For more information about KINEXON Sports or for media inquiries, please contact press@kinexon.com.
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