How tech is changing sports, from smart soccer balls to AI tracking systems

Evidence tier: A1 Evidence type: Auto-discovered official publication Source: Mastercard Newsroom Official publication date: 2026-07-09 Captured: 2026-07-16T20:30:32.351Z

Companies are innovating to move from the sidelines to the center of competition. Take soccer balls, for instance. Inside a recent version, a motion sensor captures the ball's movement hundreds of times per second, transmitting real-time data to match officials to support offside decisions and other reviews. Combined with semi-automated offside technology and player tracking, the connected ball can detect touches that would be nearly impossible for the human eye to catch.

When a match can hinge on an almost imperceptible touch detected by a sensor, technology isn't simply assisting referees, it may be changing the outcome of a game, so this new technology could create heated debate.

But soccer isn't the only sport embracing a digital assist.

After years of testing in the minor leagues, Major League Baseball introduced its Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System, powered by T-Mobile, during spring training last year and used it in the 2025 All-Star Game, allowing players and coaches to initiate reviews of close pitches. Rather than replacing home plate umpires outright, the technology, which monitors the exact location of each pitch relative to the specific batter’s zone, acts as a second opinion, preserving the human element of a historic game while increasing confidence in critical calls. It's a model that recognizes technology doesn't always have to replace people; sometimes its greatest value comes from supporting better decisions. MLB formally debuted the system with the 2026 season and it will be in action next week at the 2026 All-Star Game, presented by Mastercard.