Premier League stadium screens operate under strict limits. They may show live action, replays of positive incidents when the ball is out of play, and replays or still images of incidents determined by the video assistant referee; they may not show negative or controversial replays or anything that could call a match official's judgement into question.
What has to be in place first
A club cannot use a giant screen inside its stadium to relay closed-circuit pictures of the match to spectators unless it has prior written consent from the board. Without that consent, the match feed cannot be used in that way inside the ground.
When consent is given, the screen must be positioned so it does not interfere with the match or distract players and match officials. It also has to be run by a responsible person who fully understands the conditions of use. The club must install equipment, to the league's specification, so the video assistant referee information feed can be used on the screen.
What a stadium screen may and may not show
Here is the full split between permitted and prohibited screen content.
| Allowed | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Live action | Replays of negative or controversial incidents |
| Replays of positive incidents, when the ball is out of play | Anything questioning a match official's judgement |
| Replays or stills of incidents determined by the video assistant referee | The area of the trainers' bench |
| Pictures allowed under board guidance | A substitute warming up before the boards are shown |
Why some VAR pictures can appear
VAR-related images are not banned across the board. A replay or still image may be shown when the incident has been determined by the video assistant referee, and the club must have the technical setup needed to receive that information feed.
Only the material that falls inside the permitted category can be used, alongside any other pictures allowed under board guidance.
Other limits beyond controversial replays
The restrictions go further than refereeing incidents. The screen may not show the trainers' bench area, and it may not show a substitute warming up or preparing to come on until the substitute boards have been displayed.
It also may not show any picture that would criticise, disparage, belittle or discredit the league, a club, an official, a player or a match official, or bring the game into disrepute.
FAQ
Can Premier League stadiums show replays at all?
Yes, but only within defined categories. Positive incidents may be replayed when the ball is out of play, and incidents determined by the video assistant referee may appear as replays or still images.
Negative or controversial incidents are outside that category. The same applies to anything that could put a match official's judgement under direct challenge.
What can a stadium big screen usually show during a match?
Live action is permitted. So are certain replays and still images, plus other pictures that fall within board guidance.
Those permissions sit alongside operating conditions. The club needs written consent, proper placement of the screen, and a responsible operator who understands the conditions of use.
Do Premier League grounds show VAR replays?
They can show replays or stills of incidents determined by the video assistant referee. The rule does not extend to every clip connected to a review.
The technical side matters too. Clubs must have equipment installed to the league's specification so the VAR information feed can be used on the screen.
Why are some bench or substitute shots missing from the screen?
Those areas have their own restrictions. The trainers' bench area cannot be shown, and a substitute warming up or preparing to come on cannot be shown before the substitute boards are displayed.
