Supercup innovations: Testing RefCam and microchips in balls

The 2024 Supercup between Bayer Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart saw several broadcasting innovations tested, such as a ‘ball EKG’ and new viewing perspectives.

Recap the drama of the Supercup here!

During UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany this summer, the hosts benefited in their game against Denmark from the use of a microchip in the ball that senses touches. This ‘ball EKG’ was further trialled the season-opening fixture at the BayArena.

• Chip in the ball: This registers the smallest touch of the ball thanks to a chip weighing three grams inside the special-edition Derbystar Supercup ball.
• New cameras: Fans had two new angles for viewing the action, but not covering the pitch. Instead, there was a camera on each of the team buses and outside each changing room.

Watch: Highlights of this year's thrilling Supercup, including RefCam angles

• New-style interviews: An interview with a player from the starting XI of each team took place as they disembarked from the bus.
• RefCam: The referee wore a headset camera as the teams walked out and completed the coin toss. RefCam was previously trialled in the Bundesliga in February’s game between Eintracht Frankfurt and Wolfsburg.
• Man of the Match vote: For the first time, fans got to have their say on the game's best player by voting live in the Bundesliga app.

Watch: Deniz Undav collects his Man of the Match award

• In-match analysis clips: Selected scenes from the game were displayed on TV with match data and detailed stats.
• Live immersive reality experience: An immersive reality experience was trialled for the first time for a small group of selected test viewers. Using an appropriate device, you can view play using the 360-degree cameras located in the stadium live, broadcast in a higher resolution than UHD.

About the clubs

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

BayArena

VfB Stuttgart

MHPArena