LaLiga Tests Smart Ball Technology; Premier League Watches Closely
Listen to the story
LaLiga, Spain's top football league, will introduce new technology for the 2026/27 season. The changes include a new calendar and a smart ball.
The most notable change is the Connected Ball system. This means every ball used in LaLiga matches will have a small chip inside it.
This chip can send real-time information about the ball's position and movement. It may help referees make faster and more accurate decisions.
LaLiga EA SPORTS will become the first national football competition to use this technology in all of its matches. No other major league has done this before.
There will be five major changes to LaLiga next season in total, though the smart ball has attracted the most attention so far.
England's Premier League, one of the world's most popular football competitions, is reportedly watching LaLiga's experiment closely. It wants to see how well the new technology performs.
If the smart ball proves successful in Spain, other leagues, including the Premier League, could consider introducing similar technology in the future.
Football has already introduced several types of technology in recent years, such as VAR, which helps referees check important decisions during matches.
Fans and experts often disagree about whether new technology improves football or slows the game down. LaLiga's experiment could add new evidence to that debate.
Vocabulary7 words
- technology
- new tools or systems that use science to help people
- calendar
- the schedule of dates for matches in a season
- Connected Ball
- a smart ball system with a chip inside it
- real-time
- happening and sending information immediately
- competition
- an organised event where teams play against each other
- Premier League
- the top professional football league in England
- VAR
- a video system that helps referees check decisions
Quiz
Answer key
1. A ball with a chip that sends information 2. LaLiga 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
LaLiga, Spain's top football league, will introduce new _____ for the 2026/27 season.
The most notable change is the _____ Ball system.
This chip can send real-time information about the ball's position and _____.
LaLiga EA SPORTS will become the first national football _____ to use this technology in all of its matches.
There will be five major changes to LaLiga next season in total, though the smart ball has attracted the most _____.
England's Premier League is reportedly watching LaLiga's _____ closely.
Football has already introduced several types of technology, such as _____, which helps referees check decisions.
Fans and experts often disagree about whether new technology improves football or slows the _____ down.