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Pro League Invests in Cutting-Edge Technology: Offside Line Automation, Integrated Data Platforms, and Advanced Limb-Tracking

The Pro League is embracing three key innovations—semi-automatic offside line technology, an integrated data platform, and high-precision limb-tracking—to elevate Belgian football to the next level. With these advancements, the league and its clubs are aiming to stay competitive with Europe’s top leagues. Starting next season, our teams will benefit from state-of-the-art data and enhanced analysis tools, inspired by innovations from the Premier League and LaLiga. This also represents a significant leap forward for both the Lotto Super League and youth football.

Investing in Innovation

“In football, if you aren’t the biggest, you need to be the smartest. That’s why we are making a bold investment in new technology starting in 2025,” explains CEO Lorin Parys. “Belgium will be the only country in Europe to collect and centralize player data starting from the U13 level, with a stronger focus on talent development than ever before. For the first time, we will also track performance data for our women’s league, something only the Bundesliga and Premier League are currently doing."

“Our Jupiler Pro League will see a massive upgrade, as each stadium will be equipped with at least 12 tactical cameras, compared to the current 3, greatly enhancing tactical analysis. Even the Challenger Pro League will have 8 cameras for the first time. In the future, instead of tracking just one point on a player’s body, we will be capturing over 40 points, something that sets us apart in the top two divisions. All of this information will be processed and stored in a centralized platform that will allow seamless data sharing between clubs, broadcasters, and the KBVB, similar to the system used in LaLiga. This investment benefits not only clubs and players but also fans."

With the introduction of semi-automatic offside line technology powered by artificial intelligence, decisions will be faster and more accurate, with less waiting time. Fans will also enjoy greater transparency, as the 3D offside wall will be displayed on TV for the first time in a continental European league. Fans will also have access to more in-depth match data, enhancing the viewing experience. We look forward to elevating our football with these innovations next season.”

Modern Camera Technology for Enhanced Match Analysis

Starting next season, every stadium in the Jupiler Pro League will be outfitted with at least 12 automated cameras. Challenger Pro League stadiums will have 8 cameras. This cutting-edge technology will deliver more precise footage, improving the quality of tactical analysis.

Not only will individual players be tracked in greater detail, but the entire team’s performance can be analyzed with much greater accuracy. The use of advanced automated cameras will offer unprecedented insight into collective play.

Limb-Tracking: From 50 to 10,000 Data Points per Frame

One of the most groundbreaking innovations is the introduction of limb-tracking technology. While current systems capture 50 data points per frame, the new cameras in the Jupiler Pro League will record a staggering 10,000 points per frame. This will allow clubs to track even the smallest body movements and physical parameters with precision.

This is a first for the Challenger Pro League, where tracking data will be gathered with the same advanced system as in the Jupiler Pro League.

A Quantum Leap for Women’s and Youth Football

For the Lotto Super League, we are partnering with SciSports to provide event and tracking data, offering detailed insights into player performances. This will help our clubs to further professionalize. For the first time in Belgium, the physical and tactical performance of female players will be analyzed at a level comparable to the men’s game.

SciSports will also be making its debut in youth football, monitoring player performance from the U13 level—a European first. This puts Belgian football on the map as a key incubator for talent development. Academies will be able to track and compare the progress of their young players, both within their own clubs and across Europe, using this data as a valuable tool for development.

“SciSports is excited to partner with the Pro League on this groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing insights in women’s and youth football in Belgium. By collecting and analyzing large amounts of player and team data, we enable the Pro League and the KBVB to make informed decisions in player monitoring and development. This collaboration is a major milestone, as the Pro League becomes the first European competition to invest in comprehensive data starting from U13 teams. This initiative highlights the Pro League’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent and sets a new standard for youth development across Europe,” says Vincent van Renesse, CEO of SciSports.

Integrated Data Platform for Youth, Women’s, and Senior Teams

All data from youth, women’s, and senior squads will be collected on a single platform: Sportian Performance. This platform, used by all LaLiga clubs, allows coaching staff to perform both video and data analysis, providing a centralized overview of player performance and development across all age groups and competitions.

“We’re proud to realize this unique project with the Pro League, enabling teams at all levels to improve their game through performance-driven data insights and smart decision-making. Sportian Performance, developed with coaching experts from LaLiga and powered by the technology of Globant, offers a comprehensive suite of solutions that not only boosts performance but also creates a foundation for long-term innovation and growth in the sports world,” says Alejandro Scannapieco, CEO of Sportian.

Semi-Automatic Offside Line Technology: Faster, More Accurate, and Transparent

The Jupiler Pro League will introduce semi-automatic offside technology, powered by Premier League partner Genius IQ and artificial intelligence. This new system focuses on speed and precision, minimizing game interruptions.

AI will automatically detect the best camera angle and the correct frame at the moment of a pass. The offside line will be drawn within seconds, enabling faster decisions and more transparency, as the visuals will be clearly shown to fans.

“We are thrilled to work with the Pro League to implement our advanced mesh-tracking technology. This will not only enhance refereeing but also increase fan engagement. Billions of data points will be collected from each match, paving the way for innovations like semi-automatic offside technology, augmented broadcasts, in-depth team and player analysis, and much more. This data-driven innovation will bring Belgian football to the forefront of European competition,” says Paul Hunt of Genius Sports.

Sources: Pro League, SciSports, Genius Sports, Sportian