NFL to replace chains with Sony's 8K cameras and Hawk-Eye technology for measuring first downs

Forward-looking: The NFL has announced it will use Sony's high-tech Hawk-Eye cameras instead of traditional chains to measure the line to gain. The new technology is expected to speed up the process of determining first downs, but it won't necessarily take human error out of the equation.

The change will take effect in the 2025 – 26 season, beginning with the kickoff game on September 4 in Philadelphia. The NFL expects the technology to add "a new level of precision and speed" to the decision-making process, offering a faster and more advanced alternative to the long-standing method of walking chains onto the field to manually measure the ball's distance from the line to gain.

Hawk-Eye technology, which uses six 8K cameras for optical tracking of the ball's position, will be deployed at all 30 NFL stadiums in the U.S., as well as at international venues hosting NFL games. The system will be operated from the NFL's Art McNally GameDay Central Officiating Center (AMGC) in New York and is integrated with the league's existing replay system.

According to the NFL, the new measurement process will take only about 30 seconds – potentially saving up to 40 seconds compared to the traditional chain-based method. However, the chain crew won't be retired just yet. They will remain on the sidelines as a backup, and will be called upon to do the measuring in traditional style in case something goes wrong with the technology.

TV audiences and in-stadium spectators will be able to view virtual recreations of measurements in real time, adding a new visual dimension to the game. Still, questions remain about whether the high-tech system will lead to more accurate calls.

Fans have noted that the most controversial line calls typically stem from the initial spotting of the ball by on-field officials, rather than errors in measuring the distance to the line to gain. One example is last season's AFC Championship Game between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, when Bills quarterback Josh Allen was controversially ruled short of the line to gain by the on-field officials on a critical play.

The call was reviewed, but unfortunately for the Bills, the position of the ball could not be determined by the cameras, leading to the confirmation of the on-field ruling. Hawk-Eye would not have been of use in this instance, as the positioning of the ball by the on-field referees was the controversial aspect, not the first down measurement.

Hawk-Eye technology is already used by 23 of the world's 25 top sports leagues and international sporting events, including various World Cups. It plays a key role in sports such as soccer, tennis, cricket, and rugby, where it helps determine line calls. Proponents argue that the technology has matured significantly in recent years, offering a more accurate and fairer experience for athletes, officials, and fans alike.