Premier League to trial Ref Cams after Club World Cup success

Rajarshi has been part of Khel Now since 2022, and he covers world football.

Published at :August 13, 2025 at 10:16 PM

Modified at :August 13, 2025 at 10:16 PM

Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur Premier League

(Courtesy : Getty Images)

The ref cams were first used during this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup.

Before planning to implement them permanently, the Premier League will test cameras on referees over the first weekend of the 2025-26 season.

The Premier League hopes to make the Ref Cams a regular feature this season, and they will be used in a few chosen games during Gameweek 1. Clubs and the broadcast partners of the top flight have authorised the technology.

Fans around the tournament responded favourably to FIFA’s trial of Ref Cams at the Club World Cup 2025 in the US this summer. Consequently, the technology will be used in domestic matches to improve the experience of spectators and display the sport from the referee’s point of view.

How does a ref cam work?

In order to relay feeds to broadcasters, the cameras are connected to a microphone and transmitter, which are additional pieces of equipment, and are affixed to the referee’s ear.

Although the games that will use Ref Cams are still unknown, expect to see a fresh angle more often this season.

Referees who use Ref Cam tech wear cameras on their right ear, which are linked to a transceiver and microphone to convey video to the broadcasters. A wireless transmitter is tucked into a shorts pocket, and two wires—one for the camera and the other for a microphone—are attached to the back of the referee’s shirt.

Reece James Chelsea FC FIFA Club World Cup trophy U.S. President Donald Trump — The FIFA Club World Cup saw the full fledged use of the Ref Cam technology in live broadcasts (Photo via Getty Images)

Jarred Gillett wore a head-mounted Ref Cam during a Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United in a trial last year, demonstrating PGMOL’s long-term efforts to innovate in this field. However, the footage was only shown in highlights shows afterwards.

Two years ago, during its US Summer Series, the Premier League also tested chest-mounted GoPro cameras without showing the action live.

When was the Ref Cam used before?

The Ref cam was successfully used during the Club World Cup.

What is a Ref Cam?

A “Ref Cam” is a camera mounted on a referee providing a first-person perspective of the game

Which Premier League games will use Ref Cam this season?

A trial will be done in Gameweek 1 for a few matches, although they have not yet been disclosed.

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Rajarshi Shukla

After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.