Goal-line technology tells the referee whether the whole ball has crossed the goal line. The Premier League has used Hawk-Eye since 2013/14, with 7 cameras at each end of the stadium sending the result to the referee's watch within a second.
How the system decides a goal
The system has one job: decide whether the whole ball has crossed the line. If it has, the referee gets the signal; if it has not, no goal is given through goal-line technology.
The cameras are usually mounted on the stadium roof and track the ball throughout play. The system can still locate the ball when only a small part of it is visible, which is why it is built for crowded goalmouth situations.
| Stage | Rule or outcome |
|---|---|
| Camera setup | 7 cameras at each end, usually on the roof |
| Decision standard | A goal is given only when the whole ball crosses the goal line |
| Referee alert | The result reaches the referee's watch within a second by encrypted signal |
| Replay support | A video replay of the incident is available within 10 seconds |
Accuracy and conditions
According to the Premier League's explanation of Hawk-Eye, the system beats FIFA's margin-of-error requirement of plus or minus 3cm. That matters because goal-line calls often come with bodies, posts and defenders blocking much of the view.
Weather and ball conditions are built into the design. Fog, rain, snow and mud on the ball do not stop the system, and the Premier League's explanation says that if visibility is good enough for the match to go ahead, it is good enough for the cameras.
When the Premier League adopted it
The Premier League's use of goal-line technology followed several years of testing and debate. The path included early trials, a rejection by the law-making body, and then approval after a high-profile missed call on the world stage.
| Year | Step |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Premier League starts working with Hawk-Eye |
| 2008 | IFAB rules out technology in March |
| 2010 | Lampard's shot against Germany at the World Cup is not given |
| 2012 | Goal-line technology is approved in July |
| 2013/14 | Hawk-Eye is used in the Premier League |
Before full adoption, tests took place at Fulham's Craven Cottage in 2006/07 and at Reading's training ground in 2007. The missed Frank Lampard goal against Germany in the 2010 World Cup round of 16 became one of the moments that changed the direction of the debate.
What the rules say
The Premier League's 2026/27 handbook says goal-line technology shall be used in league matches. It also says every club stadium must have the Board's specified goal-line technology and semi-automated offside technology installed, and must allow the equipment needed for VAR.
These are separate systems. Goal-line technology is only for judging whether the whole ball crossed the line; it is not the tool for offside checks, fouls or other review decisions.
If goal-line technology is unavailable for part or all of a match, the game still goes ahead. In that situation, the referee's decision on whether a goal has been scored is final.
FAQ
When did the Premier League start using goal-line technology?
The Premier League began using Hawk-Eye from the 2013/14 season under the name Goal Decision System. Work with Hawk-Eye had started much earlier, with testing in 2006/07 and 2007 before formal approval arrived in 2012.
How accurate is goal-line technology?
The Premier League says Hawk-Eye beats FIFA's required margin of error of plus or minus 3cm. It can also locate the ball when only a small part of it is visible, which is a key part of how it handles crowded penalty-area moments.
What happens if goal-line technology is not working?
The match still takes place even if the system is unavailable for part or all of it. In those cases, the referee makes the final call on whether a goal has been scored.
Is goal-line technology the same as VAR?
No. Goal-line technology is limited to one decision: whether the whole ball crossed the goal line.
VAR and semi-automated offside are separate systems under the Premier League's rules, even though the same stadium must support all of them.