October 9 – The Belgian Pro League has announced a series of major technological investments aimed at boosting its position in European football, with innovations focused on semi-automated offside technology, advanced data collection across all levels of the game, and precision limb-tracking.
These developments, set to be introduced in the 2025 season, will aim to elevate the league’s tactical analysis, player monitoring, and fan experience across multiple competitions, including the Jupiler Pro League, the Lotto Super League (women’s league), and youth football.
At a launch event in Brussels, football figures such as Quique Setien, Aline Zeler, and Jonathan Lardot discussed the wide-ranging impact these technologies will have. Lorin Parys (pictured), CEO of the Pro League, emphasised the importance of these innovations.
“If you’re not the biggest, you have to try to be the smartest. Belgium will be the only country in Europe to collect and centralise sports data from U13 level upwards, enabling us to focus more on talent development. The Jupiler Pro League will get a serious boost with at least 12 tactical cameras in each stadium, improving tactical analysis,” said Parys.
One of the most notable upgrades will be the introduction of semi-automated offside technology. Powered by GeniusIQ, this system will enable faster and more accurate offside decisions. AI will automatically select the best camera angles and precisely determine offside moments, reducing game interruptions and increasing transparency for fans with 3D visuals displayed on television.
Paul Hunt, Sports Business Director at Genius Sports, said: “Equipping the Pro League with mesh data is a quantum leap forward for Belgian football, capturing billions of data points from every game. This technology will create new opportunities, including semi-automated offsides, augmented broadcasts, and in-depth player analysis.”
Limb-tracking technology will also revolutionise data collection. The new cameras will capture 10,000 data points per frame, up from the previous 50, allowing for highly detailed tracking of player movements. This will enhance the ability to monitor both individual and team performances.
Women’s and youth football will benefit from these advancements too. The Lotto Super League will implement SciSports’ data technology, providing detailed performance insights for the first time. Meanwhile, youth teams from U13 onwards will be monitored, enabling clubs to track young talent and compare performances across the league.
Vincent van Renesse, CEO of SciSports, praised the move: “This initiative underscores the Pro League’s commitment to fostering the next generation of talent. It sets a new standard for youth development across Europe.”
All data will be centralised on the Sportian Performances platform, enabling seamless access for clubs, broadcasters, and the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), similar to systems already used in LaLiga.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1732407285labto1732407285ofdlr1732407285owedi1732407285sni@g1732407285niwe.1732407285yrrah1732407285