RefCam To Debut In Copa Del Rey Final

Spanish football will take a significant step forward in broadcast innovation on April 18, as the Copa del Rey final between Atlético de Madrid and Real Sociedad becomes the first match in the country to feature RefCam technology.

The system, introduced by LALIGA in collaboration with the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), offers viewers a live, first-person perspective from the referee, marking a new era in how the sport is experienced on screen.

Referee Javier Alberola, who will officiate the final at La Cartuja, will wear a headset equipped with a camera and microphone. The device will transmit his viewpoint directly to the host broadcast feed, produced by RTVE, allowing audiences to see the game unfold from the official’s line of sight.

The addition of RefCam is designed to bring fans closer to the action, capturing the pace and intensity of elite-level football from a vantage point never before used in Spanish broadcasts. The integrated audio component is also expected to provide greater insight into refereeing decisions, potentially improving transparency and understanding among viewers.

The Copa del Rey final will serve as a launchpad for a wider rollout of the technology across LALIGA. From April 22, RefCam will be introduced in one match per matchday as part of a phased implementation plan. Early fixtures set to feature the system include Barcelona’s clash with Celta Vigo, Real Betis against Real Madrid, Valencia’s meeting with Atlético de Madrid, and a high-profile encounter between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

LALIGA has positioned the initiative as part of its broader effort to modernise football broadcasting and enhance fan engagement. In addition to enriching live coverage, the technology is expected to generate new types of digital content and highlights, offering audiences a fresh way to connect with the game.

With its official debut in one of Spain’s showpiece fixtures, RefCam represents a notable shift in football storytelling, placing viewers closer than ever to the decisions and dynamics that shape matches at the highest level.

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