The Premier League is set to implement semi-automated offside technology powered by Genius Sports.

The Premier League has teamed up with Genius Sports Limited to bring in some cool tech for Semi-Automated Officiating (SAOT) to help with offside calls.

This new system, powered by Genius Sports’ AI and data platform GeniusIQ, is going to be set up in every Premier League stadium and should be up and running for the 2024/25 season.

GeniusIQ uses computer vision cameras to quickly whip up 3D images of all the players, the ball, and the offside line in just a few seconds. This tech aims to make offside decisions quicker and more accurate, so there are fewer stoppages during the game.

This technology is intended to improve both the speed and accuracy of offside calls, minimizing interruptions during matches.

The Premier League believes that this advancement will significantly reduce the time needed for offside decisions and promote a consistent enforcement of offside rules.

Tony Scholes, the Chief Football Officer of the Premier League, remarked: “The implementation of semi-automated offside technology is a significant step towards preserving the game’s flow in the Premier League. We are optimistic that with the latest and most precise technology at our disposal, we will see a considerable reduction in the time taken for offside decisions, along with a uniform application of the offside lines.”

Mark Locke, CEO of Genius Sports, expressed: “I am excited that Genius Sports has become the supplier of Semi-Automated Officiating for the Premier League. This is a groundbreaking moment for our company, as we introduce our innovative AI and data platform, GeniusIQ, to the globe’s most-viewed league.”

Genius Sports has a track record of delivering data and technology solutions to the Premier League, including the operation of the Premier League Data Zone, which provides real-time tracking insights and statistics. This latest agreement builds on their current collaboration, which sees their AI-driven data utilized by all 20 teams in the Premier League.
The announcement of the SAOT system comes on the heels of Genius Sports reporting a 23% rise in revenue to $119.7 million for the first quarter of 2024. Additionally, the company has obtained exclusive betting rights with Football DataCo until 2029 and introduced AI-enhanced in-game highlights in partnership with Brentford FC.