Short intro:
Connected Ball Technology brings high-precision sensors inside match balls to supply real-time position and impact data for VAR, analytics and fan experiences.
This guide covers how the tech works, tournament rollouts (FIFA, UEFA), pricing, implementation and practical benefits for football.

Summary box — What you’ll learn & Key statistics

What you’ll learn

• What connected ball technology is and how it captures ball movement.
• Which major tournaments and manufacturers use it (FIFA, UEFA, adidas, Kinexon).
• How the tech supports VAR, semi-automated offside, coaching analytics and fan products.
• Typical retail price bands and product availability.
• Practical pros, limits and adoption roadmap for clubs and leagues.

Key statistics (output, reserves, vacancies)

• Output (major uses): Adopted in major events since 2022 — FIFA World Cup 2022 (Al Rihla), FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 (Oceaunz), UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 (KONEKTIS), and FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Inside FIFA+3adidas News+3Inside FIFA+3
• Reserves (manufacturers/suppliers): Core supplier ecosystem: adidas (ball maker), Kinexon (sensor/analytics partner), and supporting tech partners — multiple product SKUs for retail and match use. KINEXON SPORTS+1
• Vacancies (adoption gaps): Many domestic leagues and older match-ball lines still use non-sensor balls — opportunity for expanded rollouts and lower-cost connected replicas. (Observed via tournament rollouts vs wider league adoption). FBIN - Football Business Inside

1) INTRODUCTION

SEO snippet: Connected Ball Technology embeds sensors inside match balls to stream precise motion data for officiating, analytics and fan engagement.

Connected Ball Technology (CBT) is now part of the modern football stack — sensors inside the ball capture position, acceleration and spin at high sample rates and feed those measurements into officiating systems (VAR/Semi-Automated Offside Technology) and analytics platforms. Since adidas first introduced the feature on World Cup match balls in 2022, the technology has appeared in high-profile tournaments and is expanding into commercial products for clubs and fans. adidas News+1

LSI keywords: smart football, sensor football, football telemetry, semi-automated offside, VAR sensor ball.

Expanded FAQs

• Q: Is connected ball technology new? — It became widely visible in 2022 with the World Cup, though sensorized sports balls have existed earlier in other sports. adidas News+1
• Q: Is CBT used in professional matches only? — Initially in high-profile tournaments; consumer versions and training models follow. Core77

External links:
https://news.adidas.com/football/adidas-reveals-the-first-fifa-world-cup--official-match-ball-featuring-connected-ball-technology/s/cccb7187-a67c-4166-b57d-2b28f1d36fa0
https://inside.fifa.com/news/official-match-ball-for-the-fifa-womens-world-cup-2023-tm-unveiled-by-adidas

2) CONNECTED BALL TECHNOLOGY

SEO snippet: At its core, connected ball technology combines a miniaturized inertial sensor package with a communications layer and a data pipeline for split-second ball tracking.

Connected Ball Technology refers to the engineering and systems that embed a sensor (commonly an inertial measurement unit — IMU) inside the ball, isolate it with a suspension system, sample at high frequency (hundreds of Hz), and wire the data into positioning/VAR pipelines. In tournament implementations the ball’s sensor data is fused with stadium camera/player-tracking feeds and AI to produce robust event timestamps and trajectories for officials and analysts. KINEXON SPORTS+1

LSI keywords: IMU football, UWB tracking, sensor fusion, ball telemetry, embedded sensors in sports.

Expanded FAQs

• Q: What sensors are inside a connected ball? — Usually an IMU (accelerometers + gyroscopes) and sometimes ultra-wideband (UWB) for precise position; sampling rates are often ~100–500Hz. KINEXON SPORTS+1
• Q: Does the sensor change the ball's feel? — Match balls used in tournaments are engineered so the sensor and suspension minimally affect flight and touch; consumer replicas differ. Inside FIFA

External links:
https://kinexon-sports.com/blog/connected-ball-technology-data
https://inside.fifa.com/news/official-match-ball-for-the-fifa-womens-world-cup-2023-tm-unveiled-by-adidas

3) ADIDAS CONNECTED BALL TECHNOLOGY

SEO snippet: adidas partnered with tech suppliers to integrate the sensor suspension and deliver connected match balls (Al Rihla, Oceaunz, KONEKTIS) for major tournaments.

adidas has been the lead manufacturer bringing CBT into mainstream football match balls. The Al Rihla (FIFA World Cup 2022) introduced a suspended IMU at the ball’s center; adidas then extended the same connected approach to subsequent tournament balls like Oceaunz (Women’s World Cup 2023) and KONEKTIS (UEFA Women’s EURO 2025). adidas collaborates with technology partners to ensure sensors, aerodynamics and FIFA/UEFA performance standards align. adidas News+2Inside FIFA+2

LSI keywords: adidas connected ball, Al Rihla sensor, Oceaunz connected, KONEKTIS, PRECISIONSHELL.

Expanded FAQs

• Q: Which adidas balls have connected tech? — Official tournament balls since 2022 (Al Rihla) and subsequent FIFA/UEFA tournament balls (Oceaunz, KONEKTIS, Club World Cup ball). adidas News+2FIFA+2
• Q: Can you buy the exact match ball with the sensor? — adidas sells Pro and replica lines; the actual match ball sensor version is tightly controlled — consumer Pro balls are often visually identical but the embedded sensor match variant may be restricted. Retail Pro balls typically retail at premium prices (see pricing section). adidas UK+1

External links:
https://news.adidas.com/football/adidas-reveals-the-first-fifa-world-cup--official-match-ball-featuring-connected-ball-technology/s/cccb7187-a67c-4166-b57d-2b28f1d36fa0
https://news.adidas.com/football/adidas-unveils--konektis----the-official-match-ball-for-uefa-women-s-euro-2025-/s/42e98d5f-00a8-4708-b17e-7adcd392301a

4) UEFA CONNECTED BALL TECHNOLOGY

SEO snippet: UEFA has adopted connected ball data in selected competitions (notably Women’s EURO 2025), integrating it into VAR workflows and match operations.

UEFA’s adoption is selective and tournament-driven. For UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 adidas and UEFA unveiled "KONEKTIS," explicitly featuring connected ball technology to support faster and more accurate officiating by feeding precise ball-contact data into the VAR ecosystem. UEFA’s communications indicate CBT contributes to improved decision speed and reliability in key moments. UEFA.com

LSI keywords: UEFA KONEKTIS, UEFA VAR sensors, connected ball UEFA, Women’s Euro ball.

Expanded FAQs

• Q: Does UEFA use connected balls in Champions League? — Implementation varies by competition; official Champions League match balls have not consistently included embedded sensors for VAR in every season — check competition notices for each edition. (See Champions League note below.) UEFA.com+1
• Q: How does UEFA integrate ball data with VAR? — Ball timestamps and trajectories are fused with camera feeds and offside detection algorithms to corroborate or speed decisions. FBIN - Football Business Inside

External links:
https://www.uefa.com/womenseuro/news/0294-1c952d26041f-e5cd312d854a-1000--uefa-and-adidas-unveil-konektis-the-official-match-ball-f/
https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0296-1d05cce76383-5deb5114c6ba-1000--adidas-and-uefa-unveil-new-official-ball-for-uefa-champi/

5) HOW DOES CONNECTED BALL TECHNOLOGY WORK

SEO snippet: Sensors (IMU ± UWB) inside a stabilized suspension sample motion at high rates; data is transmitted, fused with optical tracking, and fed to VAR/analytics in real time.

Technical overview:

• Sensor package: A compact IMU (accelerometer + gyroscope) records linear acceleration, angular rate and sometimes magnetometer data; some systems pair IMU with ultra-wideband (UWB) or RF beacons to reduce drift and enable absolute positioning. KINEXON SPORTS+1
• Suspension & integration: The sensor sits inside a suspended capsule within the ball bladder to minimize mechanical coupling that would distort readings or the ball’s play characteristics. lulop.com
• Sampling & transmission: High sample rates (e.g., 500Hz for IMU) capture contact and spin events; data is streamed to edge receivers positioned around the stadium and then into the VAR/analytics stack. KINEXON SPORTS
• Data fusion & AI: Sensor data is fused with camera-based tracking and player position feeds; AI algorithms reconstruct trajectories, determine exact ball-contact moments and detect events (e.g., handball, goal line, offside triggers). KINEXON SPORTS+1

LSI keywords: IMU sampling rate, UWB positioning, sensor suspension, data fusion, semi-automated offside tech.

Expanded FAQs

• Q: Does the ball send video? — No — only telemetry (motion/position) data; video remains camera-based. Sensor telemetry is complementary. KINEXON SPORTS
• Q: Is the data fast enough for live VAR calls? — Yes — tournament systems are engineered to deliver millisecond-scale timestamps to support near-real-time decisions. Inside FIFA

External links:
https://kinexon-sports.com/blog/context-through-ball-data/
https://www.sensortips.com/featured/how-do-sensors-help-you-play-ball-pt-2/

6) CONNECTED BALL TECHNOLOGY CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

SEO snippet: Champions League match balls are produced by adidas, but sensor inclusion for VAR varies — check competition technical notes for each season.

UEFA’s Champions League uses adidas match balls for seasons and stages, and adidas periodically updates the ball design. However, the inclusion of an embedded sensor for official VAR support is not automatically present every season: some editions and stages have used standard balls without an embedded sensor, while UEFA has introduced sensor-enabled balls for specific initiatives or competitions. For instance, UEFA announced new Pro Ball designs for a knockout phase, but public reports have noted that not all club competitions uniformly used the embedded sensor variant — verify competition bulletins for the specific season. UEFA.com+1

LSI keywords: UCL ball sensors, Champions League smart ball, adidas UCL ball, UCL VAR tech.

Expanded FAQs

• Q: Is the Champions League ball sensorized like World Cup balls? — Not always. Tournament usage depends on agreements and VAR infrastructure readiness; some reporting indicates the Champions League has not consistently deployed sensorized balls league-wide. X (formerly Twitter)
• Q: Will Champions League adopt CBT universally? — Adoption is likely incremental — driven by cost, broadcast partners and VAR integration timelines.

External links:
https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0296-1d05cce76383-5deb5114c6ba-1000--adidas-and-uefa-unveil-new-official-ball-for-uefa-champi/
https://x.com/DaleJohnsonESPN/status/1899962518799606090

7) CONNECTED BALL TECHNOLOGY FIFA

SEO snippet: FIFA led mainstream CBT visibility: Al Rihla (2022) and subsequent FIFA tournament balls used connected sensors to support semi-automated officiating.

FIFA’s collaboration with adidas and technology partners made CBT high profile at the 2022 World Cup (Al Rihla) and continued for the Women’s World Cup 2023 (Oceaunz), where sensor data supported semi-automated offside and faster VAR rulings. FIFA materials and product catalogues document adidas Pro balls with connected ball variants and list them with FIFA Quality PRO certifications. adidas News+2Inside FIFA+2

LSI keywords: FIFA connected ball, Al Rihla sensor, semi-automated offside, FIFA VAR tech.

Expanded FAQs

• Q: Did CBT make decisions for referees? — The technology supplies precise timestamps and trajectories that inform VAR decisions; human referees still make final calls. FBIN - Football Business Inside
• Q: Are FIFA match ball sensors standardized? — FIFA and partners specify performance and integration requirements; supplier ecosystems (e.g., Kinexon) built solutions to meet those needs. KINEXON SPORTS+1

External links:
https://inside.fifa.com/news/official-match-ball-for-the-fifa-womens-world-cup-2023-tm-unveiled-by-adidas
https://inside.fifa.com/news/club-world-cup-2025-adidas-official-match-ball-unveiled

8) CONNECTED BALL TECHNOLOGY EURO 2024

SEO snippet: Euro 2024 (men’s) and later UEFA events experimented with connected data for officiating transparency; UEFA has expanded CBT use in subsequent women's competitions.

For Euro 2024 (men’s tournament in Germany) and related UEFA competitions there was public discussion and piloting of connected data and officiating approaches to improve VAR transparency. UEFA’s more explicit deployment occurred for the Women’s EURO 2025 ball (KONEKTIS), while Euro 2024 served as a testbed for broader operational learnings — technical transparency and timing of offside calls were topics of referee policy updates. The Times+1

LSI keywords: Euro 2024 VAR tech, Euro connected ball, UEFA Euro sensors, offside transparency.

Expanded FAQs

• Q: Was the Euro 2024 official ball connected? — Euro 2024 incorporated VAR improvements and piloted technologies, but the large public rollouts with explicit connected-ball announcements relate more to UEFA Women’s EURO 2025. The Times+1
• Q: Will future Euros use CBT broadly? — UEFA’s roadmap suggests continued use in high-profile tournaments, with phased expansion depending on infrastructure.

External links:
https://www.uefa.com/womenseuro/news/0294-1c952d26041f-e5cd312d854a-1000--uefa-and-adidas-unveil-konektis-the-official-match-ball-f/
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/why-euro-2024-wont-be-full-of-100-minute-matches-like-world-cup-kr2r0bnmn

9) CONNECTED BALL TECHNOLOGY PRICE

SEO snippet: Connected match-ball price varies widely — training/replica balls under €30–€60, pro-grade or tournament Pro balls often €100–€200; sensor-enabled match variants are premium and limited.

Retail pricing for official adidas tournament balls shows clear tiers: training/replica balls typically retail in the €20–€50 band; Pro (match-grade) retail models often list between €100 and €170 depending on region and edition. The specialized sensorized "match" variant used inside stadiums is controlled and sometimes not sold broadly; when Pro match balls with similar specs are sold to consumers they sit at the higher end of the band (e.g., ~€170 for some World Cup pro models). Pricing examples and current store listings illustrate the banding. adidas UK+2store.fifa.com+2

LSI keywords: smart ball price, Al Rihla price, OCEAUNZ price, Konektis price, pro match ball cost.

Expanded FAQs

• Q: How much does a connected match ball cost for leagues? — Procurement for leagues involves negotiation, infrastructure and support; direct sensor-enabled match balls used in tournaments are usually part of broader supplier contracts (costs not publicly itemized). Inside FIFA
• Q: Are there cheaper sensor footballs for training? — Yes — consumer brands and training devices (non-embedded sensor pods) offer lower-cost data options for clubs and players. Wilson Sporting Goods

External links:
https://www.adidas.com/us/soccer-balls
https://store.fifa.com/product/adidas-oceaunz-training-football-size-5

10) CONNECTED BALL TECHNOLOGY FOOTBALL

SEO snippet: Beyond elite tournaments, CBT’s value spans coaching (spin/impact analytics), broadcast enhancements (live metrics), and grassroots training products.

Practical uses for football stakeholders

• Referees/VAR: Millisecond timestamps for contact events and corroboration of camera data. FBIN - Football Business Inside
• Coaches/Performance: Spin, speed, strike point and trajectory analytics for set-piece optimization and player feedback. KINEXON SPORTS
• Broadcasters/Fans: Live on-screen metrics (speed, spin, impact location) that enhance storytelling. Front Office Sports
• Grassroots & Clubs: Replica and training sensor kits bring data to player development at lower costs. Wilson Sporting Goods

LSI keywords: ball analytics, VAR support, broadcast data, training sensor ball, player development tech.

Expanded FAQs

• Q: Will CBT change how football is played? — The on-pitch rules remain referee-driven, but faster, clearer officiating and richer analytics will influence tactics and training. FBIN - Football Business Inside
• Q: Can clubs build their own CBT systems? — Yes — partnerships with telemetry and tracking vendors (or consumer sensor kits) allow clubs to deploy closed systems for development.

External links:
https://kinexon-sports.com/blog/connected-ball-technology-data
https://frontofficesports.com/adidas-creates-markets-world-cup-ball-womens-fifa/

11) WHAT IS CONNECTED BALL TECHNOLOGY

SEO snippet: A concise definition — Connected Ball Technology is the embedding of miniature motion sensors in footballs to stream precise ball telemetry for officiating and analytics.

Short definition & implications:
Connected Ball Technology = (miniature sensor inside the ball) + (stadium receivers/gateways) + (data fusion with camera/player tracking) + (downstream VAR/analytics). The outcome is faster, more objective event detection (e.g., exactly when the ball is kicked, whether hand contact occurred) and new commercial products for coaching and fan engagement. The concept has grown from prototype sensor balls to tournament-grade systems validated in FIFA and UEFA events. adidas News+1

LSI keywords: definition connected ball, smart ball definition, ball telemetry definition.

Expanded FAQs

• Q: Is CBT standardized across suppliers? — Standards are emerging through FIFA/UEFA technical specifications; vendors must meet performance and durability tests. Inside FIFA
• Q: What are the limits of CBT? — Sensor drift, RF interference, stadium infrastructure and cost are practical constraints; fusion with camera data helps mitigate limits. KINEXON SPORTS

External links:
https://manofmany.com/entertainment/sport/fifa-world-cup-ball
https://inside.fifa.com/innovation/resource-hub?id=b2e4a9cdb63346f2844f4427ffdf07f9

12) CONCLUSION

SEO snippet: Connected Ball Technology is maturing fast — already improving officiating and creating new analytics and fan products — but widespread league adoption will be incremental.

Connected Ball Technology moved from proof-of-concept to mainstream awareness through high-profile deployments (FIFA World Cup 2022 onward). It delivers clear benefits for officiating speed and accuracy, enriches broadcast and coaching datasets, and opens product opportunities. Challenges remain — cost, controlled distribution of match-spec sensors, and integration with legacy VAR systems — but the trajectory points to steady expansion across elite competitions and trickle-down to clubs and fans. Teams, broadcasters and competition organizers should plan for phased adoption and clear governance over sensor data and decision-support use. adidas News+1

LSI keywords: CBT future, smart ball adoption, semi-automated offside future, VAR enhancement.

Expanded FAQs (final roundup)

• Q: Will connected balls replace video referees? — No; they are complementary. Human referees remain final arbiters with CBT as an accuracy/efficiency tool. FBIN - Football Business Inside
• Q: When will my league get connected balls? — Wide availability depends on budgets, supplier contracts and stadium infrastructure; expect top leagues and international tournaments first, followed by broader rollouts.

External links:
https://kinexon-sports.com/blog/connected-ball-technology-data
https://www.fifa.com/en/innovation

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SEO snippet: Novintrades is a B2B trade marketplace connecting buyers and sellers across oil, chemicals, minerals and building materials — now featuring reportage and industry content.

SEO blurb & value proposition:
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LSI keywords: B2B marketplace oil products, Novintrades reportages, global supplier directory, trade reportages.

External links:
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https://www.novintrades.com/reportages
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