WSL and Nike to deploy Sportable Connected Ball tech in Barclays WSL from 2026-27

WSL Football and Nike will introduce Sportable’s Connected Ball and advanced player-tracking technology in the Barclays Women’s Super League, with a full match rollout planned from the start of the 2026-27 season.The organisations said the system will be integrated into Nike’s official matchballs and paired with in-stadium tracking to produce a continuous dataset across the season, with clubs also able to use the technology in training environments.Zarah Al-Kudcy, chief revenue officer at WSL Football, said: “Nike’s new partnership with us is built on innovation and putting players first, which we have already seen with the rollout of boots and gloves for all players and goalkeepers without personal endorsement deals.“Their desire to elevate the role of the ball through Sportable’s technology will enable us to provide enhanced performance data to our clubs as well as tell richer stories to our fans.”The Connected Ball and tracking package is designed to capture information including ball speed, spin and flight, alongside player movement and high-intensity efforts, plus team shape, tactical patterns and off-the-ball actions.WSL Football said the aim is to give coaches and performance staff more consistent insight across both matchday and training, while also creating a foundation for enhanced broadcast and fan-facing outputs over time.Dugald Macdonald, chief executive of Sportable, said: “It is a privilege to work with Nike and support WSL Football on a project that will meaningfully impact the progression of the women’s game.“The opportunity to create a consistent, data-rich view of performance, from training pitches to stadiums, is truly groundbreaking and we are excited to help unlock the next level of insight for teams across the league and their fans via an enhanced, data-rich, broadcast experience,” he said.WSL Football said the system is currently being tested, with expansion planned subject to that programme, and noted that several clubs are already using the technology in training and match preparation ahead of a league-wide match deployment.Sportable’s portable tracking product has been certified under the FIFA Quality Programme for Electronic Performance and Tracking Systems, which is intended to validate accuracy and consistency in positional data.The move extends Nike’s broader positioning in women’s football around product and performance innovation, while giving WSL Football a new technical asset that can support coaching workflows, player development and commercial storytelling across its domestic and international audiences.