The UFL has officially kicked off its 2025 season, aiming to give football fans more entertainment while the NFL is in its offseason. But beyond that, the league is using this opportunity to show that it can even surpass the top league—especially when it comes to technology.
In one of the first games of the UFL season, the league showcased its use of first down technology to eliminate controversies when the ball is just inches away from the invisible yellow line. This was revealed during the matchup between St. Louis and Houston, where a first-quarter ruling was determined using what they call “TrU Line” technology.
The NFL has yet to implement this type of technology in its games. In the UFL matchup, the system showed the ball was exactly 0.2 inches short of the first down line—a scenario that has likely happened countless times in the NFL, where referees have had to make judgment calls without such precision.
Throughout the season, the UFL is expected to showcase its first down technology multiple times, potentially impacting all eight teams in the league. The season runs from March 28 to June 1, featuring a total of 43 games.
UFL also introduces POV cameras on players
The second major innovation from the UFL this season is POV cameras on select players. This was also unveiled during the St. Louis vs. Houston game. The camera appears to be mounted inside the helmet rather than on the outside. It remains unclear how many players will wear this technology during games.
The NFL has technology, but not like the UFL
To be fair, the NFL has made its own technological advancements. Players now wear sensors that help track performance data, and the league uses AI to analyze those stats. However, the NFL has yet to implement the same innovations as the UFL—or even some of the technology used in top European soccer leagues. For now, the league still relies on video reviews conducted by referees.