91% of surveyed fans found Referee View appealing
Referee View is winning over FIFA World Cup 2026™ audiences, with 91% of surveyed fans saying the close-to-action broadcast technology is appealing.
Lenovo’s international survey covered 2,514 adults in Australia, Canada, India, the U.K. And the U.S. It found that 87% believe technology is improving the viewing experience, while 84% say close-to-action camera angles make them feel like they are on the pitch.
Across the same research, 76% of FIFA World Cup™ viewers had seen or heard about Referee View. Another 91% said they want more technology that creates immersive or close-to-action live sports coverage.
Fans also put a high value on picture quality. The research found 88% rate smooth, stable footage as important when watching sport, and 98% say clear picture quality has mattered during this FIFA World Cup™.
Morrisville survey results
Referee View gives viewers a first-person look at the match through a lightweight camera mounted on the match official. Lenovo’s AI-powered video analytics platform then turns fast-moving, shaky footage into smooth broadcast-quality video in real time.
Lenovo says the system cuts camera jitter by up to 60%. As a result, broadcasters can keep the speed and intensity of the action while giving viewers a steadier image.
According to preliminary FIFA data cited by Lenovo, Referee View has appeared on average three times per match during the tournament. It has also been shown in more than 220 territories worldwide.
Art Hu, Lenovo chief information officer and chief technology and delivery officer for the Solutions and Services Group, said the tool gives fans a perspective that had not been possible before.
He said Lenovo combined AI with advanced video analytics to turn fast-moving footage into a seamless broadcast feed. Hu also linked the work to Lenovo’s Formula 1 experience, where cameras operate in some of sport’s toughest conditions.
One survey respondent in India, a woman from Generation X, said a steady first-person view of major on-field decisions adds drama and transparency to the screen.
Lenovo released the research from Morrisville, N.C. The online poll ran from 24th June to 27th June 2026.
