Turning VAR clips into media content for a football tournament

Most amateur football tournaments end with very little quality footage. Video usually comes from spectators' phones, filmed from one side and missing the plays that mattered.

A VAR system changes this because it has to record the whole match from several angles for the referee to review. This article explains how organisers can use that footage for livestreams, highlights, social media, sponsors and complaint handling.

Footage from several angles

Sol26 VAR uses 4 to 8 cameras mounted 5 to 6 m high on both goal lines and at diagonal corners. All cameras record in sync and the full match video is stored. A goalmouth incident can therefore be viewed from several directions at the same moment.

High-mounted angles cover the whole pitch, unlike video filmed from the stands. The technician can zoom up to 10x on each angle and play at x0.5 or x0.1 to make the point of contact clear before exporting a slow-motion clip.

Flags during play make clips easy to find

During play, the technician flags every sensitive moment: ball over the line, penalties, red card incidents, disputes. Each flag is placed 5 seconds before the button press, so the build-up is kept.

These flags serve the referee during the match and also form a ready-made list for choosing clips afterwards, without watching the full 90 minutes again.

Slow-motion replays on the livestream

The system can output a slow-motion feed to the livestream, so remote viewers can watch a VAR check frame by frame. For livestream providers, VAR adds camera angles and slow-motion replays that a standard filming crew rarely has.

Clip handover after the tournament

After each match day or after the tournament, all VAR check clips are exported in full quality and handed to the organiser. The clips serve two purposes: media material and evidence for settling post-match complaints.

How VAR clips can be used

• Match highlights from high angles covering the whole pitch
• Short clips of VAR checks for TikTok and Facebook
• A sponsor intro placed before each slow-motion clip
• Material for teams and players to share, extending the tournament's reach
• A reference record when a referee decision is disputed

VAR checks draw attention because viewers want to judge the referee's decision for themselves. Posted regularly, clips keep interest in the tournament going between rounds.

Prepare before the tournament to get the right clips

The organiser should agree with the technician before the tournament which incidents to flag, when clips will be delivered and how they will be used. If there is a sponsorship package tied to VAR, logo placement and the intro before slow-motion clips should be settled early.

Frequently asked questions

When does the organiser receive the clips?

VAR check clips are exported and handed over after the match day or after the tournament, as agreed with the organiser.

Can slow-motion replays go on the livestream?

Yes. The system can output a slow-motion feed to the livestream for remote viewers.

Can the clips be used to settle complaints?

Yes. All VAR check clips from the day are kept so the organiser can refer to them when a complaint is raised after a match.

Which angles can clips be taken from?

Every camera is recorded and stored in sync, so clips can come from any of the 4 to 8 cameras around the pitch.