The away match of the Tottenham against Wolverhampton, scheduled for this weekend, will mark a historic moment in the Premier League: For the first time, players will wear bodycams. The innovation is the result of a partnership between Tnt Sports and the Premier League: it will take place during the warm-up at the Molineux stadium, according to the Daily Mail.

The adoption of bodycams is not new in football, having already been tested over the summer by Aston Villa and Newcastle during a match on their US tour. However, next weekend marks the debut of this technology in the Premier League, despite IFAB (International Football Association Board) regulations prohibiting the use of such technology in league matches. TNT Sports promises a unique perspective that will be offered to spectators through this initiative.

The bodycams used were developed by MindFly, an Israeli startup, and feature special stabilization technology powered by artificial intelligence. The model consists of an ultralight vest with a tiny camera sewn onto a GPS vest under the shirt, with a small hole at chest level to allow the lens to capture the game.

The bodycams are quick and easy to use, taking about two minutes to capture a wide-angle view of the scene, which is then cropped using automatic AI tracking to focus on the action. SteadiCam stabilization technology ensures smooth footage, while the shatterproof screen makes the camera virtually invisible.

Rachael Nightingale, Premier League Head of Media Operations and Innovation, said: “Finding new ways to bring our fans closer to the action on the pitch is a key goal for us.” The captured footage will be uploaded in real time by software, making it quickly accessible to broadcasters, with TNT Sports keen to introduce this tool as part of the pre-match experience at Molineux Stadium.