Tech Advances In The Women’s World Cup

This year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup is set to be the grandest Women’s sporting event of all time. Today FIFA boasted a number of major technological advances to be unveiled upon kickoff, such as broadcasting 10 matches — including the final — in 8K Ultra HD format. The press release also announced each game will feature no less than 20 cameras and as many as 22 trained on the field, a step up from the 16 camera setup in 2011’s Women’s Cup.

The use of goal-line technology (GLT) is being revamped as well. Rather than stick with the GoalControl system used in the men’s World Cup in Brazil last year, FIFA has decided to go with the Hawk-eye system in Canada. Both employ seven cameras focused on each goal and will be called upon for a ruling if a goal or no goal situation arrises.

FIFA has noticed the rise in second screening demands as well, and the presser specifically indicates a team of producers with a focus on mobile, tablet and laptop users. In order to view every game you’ll need a television package, as the matches will be split up between Fox and Fox Sports 1 for the English broadcast and NBC-owned Telemundo for Spanish. Nicolas Ericson, FIFA Director of TV, stated:

This is the biggest broadcast production we have invested in so far for a women’s football tournament. This supports FIFA’s commitment to develop and promote women’s football and it reflects the huge momentum and interest in women’s football around the world today.

Via Statista and using previous Women’s World Cups as the bar, nothing has come particularly close as far as live spectators since the 1999 Cup.

On the other hand, 2011 saw ESPN have its highest rated soccer game of all time in the 2011 final between Japan and the United States. Television audiences were up around the world in 2011 compared the 2007 Women’s World Cup as well.

This year offers a good blend time zone friendly starts — the early afternoon games are perfect for Europe — new programming and embracing the fans with second screen options for what is shaping up to be the biggest Women’s World Cup yet.

(Header image via FIFA)