Genius Sports supplies Danish soccer league with optical tracking systems

2S and Genius Sports will install optical tracking systems across the 1st Tier 3F Superliga.

2021-11-01

Denmark

Reading time 1:45 min

In an extension of their partnership, Genius Sports and its firm Second Spectrum will provide a system to identify precise coordinates of every player and the ball, at a rate of 25 times a second. These statistics include players' speeds, acceleration, deceleration, shot velocity, pass probability and expected goals among other markers. These insights will be available across multiple platforms including 10 augmented matches per year.

The governing body of premier competition in Danish soccer, The Danish League, announced on Thursday it has expanded its partnerships with data technology companies Second Spectrum (2S) and Genius Sports to deliver data tracking and analytics solutions.

Beginning with the ongoing 2021/22 season, 2S and Genius will install optical tracking systems across the first Tier 3F SUPERLIGA. Through advanced computer vision and machine learning capabilities, Danish soccer will be able to identify and provide the precise coordinates of every player and the ball, 25 times a second.

Danish soccer fans will also be provided with new statistics including players’ speeds, acceleration, deceleration, shot velocity, pass probability and expected goals. These insights will be available across multiple platforms including 10 augmented matches per year, combining tracking data, visualizations, augmented reality and customizable graphics.

3F SUPERLIGA club coaches and staff will also use the new software to scout and track player performance. 2S’ post-match panoramic and tactical videos will facilitate new levels of analysis alongside specialist fitness software to assist player recovery and prevent injuries.

The company’s data tracking is being researched in order to secure it in soccer’s second-tier NordicBetLIGA in 2022.

Second Spectrum was acquired by Genius Sports in May 2021. Since 2017, Genius Sports has held the non-exclusive rights to capture, distribute and commercialize official data from the Danish Superliga and 1st Division with its global network of sportsbook partners as part of major agreement with the European Leagues.

In an official press release, Claus Thomsen, CEO of the Danish League, spoke about this new partnership and said: “This partnership with Second Spectrum will equip Danish football with proven data tracking and broadcast augmentation solutions. These solutions will be pivotal to us accessing new levels of data-driven insight to enhance our storytelling for Danish football fans.”

Rajiv Maheswaran, President of Second Spectrum, added: "We are excited to partner with Danish soccer and bring our cutting-edge technology to coaches, players and fans alike. Our tracking, software and augmentation products will transform both performance analysis and fan engagement, bringing next-generation experiences across the ecosystem of Danish soccer."