SAOT Makes Debut in Brazilian Série A

Launch Date and First Matches

Brazilian football will see semi‑automated offside technology (SAOT) in action beginning July 25 at 6:30 p.m. (Brasília time). The inaugural matches featuring the system are Athletico‑PR versus Internacional at Arena da Baixada and Santos against Chapecoense at Vila Belmiro. All 20 fixtures of the 20th round will be monitored by SAOT from the opening whistle.

The rollout follows a confirmation by CBF president Samir Xaud in November 2025 that the 2026 season would introduce the technology. His statement emphasized modernizing refereeing as a top priority for the confederation’s administration. The promise was turned into a signed contract in London, securing SAOT for both the Brasileirão and the Copa do Brasil through 2027.

Technology Overview

SAOT is powered by GeniusIQ, the AI and data platform of Genius Sports. The system ingests billions of data points captured by stadium cameras, automatically spots potential offside situations, selects the relevant attackers and defenders, and pinpoints the exact moment of the kick. Within seconds it produces a 3‑D visualization that assists referees in making split‑second decisions.

In addition to offside detection, Genius Sports supplies a player‑, referee‑ and ball‑tracking system and a Performance Studio platform for tactical analysis. The SAOT solution will be fully integrated with the VAR system already used in CBF competitions, which is operated by Hawk‑Eye. This integration also enhances handball incident reviews by combining tracking data with camera feeds.

Implementation Details

Each of the 19 Série A stadiums, plus Arena Barueri, has been fitted with between 28 and 32 dedicated cameras. Five local servers support the network, streaming live images to the CBF’s VAR Operations Center in Rio de Janeiro. The center houses ten integrated control rooms equipped to handle both VAR and SAOT simultaneously.

Before the launch, technical teams from the CBF and Genius Sports visited all 20 venues for inspections, installations, engineering assessments, and extensive testing. Referees, VAR officials, and technical staff underwent comprehensive training, and simulated scenarios validated the system’s reliability. The entire process was completed faster than comparable rollouts in other top leagues, according to CBF officials.

Key Voices

“When we made the commitment to implement semi‑automated offside technology (SAOT), we made it clear that modernizing refereeing would be a priority for our administration,” said CBF president Samir Xaud. “It is an investment that brings the Brazilian Championship closer to the highest international standards.”

“The implementation of semi‑automated offside technology represents a historic milestone for Brazilian football,” said Netto Góes, Director of the CBF Refereeing Committee. “Our goal is to offer ever greater precision, transparency, and confidence in on‑field decisions.”

“The implementation of semi‑automated offside technology represents a major step forward for Brazilian football,” added Sandro Meira Ricci, president of the CBF Refereeing Committee. “Its main objective is to provide greater accuracy, transparency, and speed in the analysis of offside situations.”

“The CBF is one of the iconic organizations in world football, and the implementation of our cutting‑edge SAOT technology is a milestone for Genius Sports’ expansion in Brazil,” said Mark Locke, CEO of Genius Sports. “By adopting GeniusIQ, the CBF has also laid the foundations to drive a new era of Brazilian football through data‑driven training tools, immersive broadcasts, and enhanced sponsorship activations.”

Why This Matters

Brazil joins a global elite that already uses SAOT in competitions such as the FIFA World Cup and leading European leagues. The swift deployment positions the Brasileirão alongside the most technologically advanced circuits, reinforcing its credibility and appeal to fans. Going forward, the data infrastructure could support broader innovations in coaching, broadcasting, and fan engagement across South American football.

Contract signed in London secures semi‑automated technology for the Brasileirão and Copa do Brasil in the 2026 and 2027 seasonsCredits: Disclosure

Cameras were installed at Neo Química Arena for the implementation of semi‑automated offside technologyCredits: Disclosure/Corinthians

Integration between VAR and SAOT is part of the final stage of implementing semi‑automated offside technologyCredits: Fábio Souza/CBF

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.