Buying or renting a VAR system: a comparison for venues and organisers

Sol26 VAR is supplied in two ways: rented per match day or per tournament, and sold as a package in three configuration tiers for venues. The two options serve two customer groups with different needs.

This article compares renting and buying by suitable customer, who operates the system, frequency of use, match location and how revenue is generated, with a list of questions for self-assessment.

Renting VAR: suited to tournament organisers

Amateur and semi-professional tournament organisers usually run events by season and at different venues. Renting lets them use the technology on tournament days only, without investing in equipment.

The rental includes a technician. The technical team arrives 60 minutes before kick-off to set up, operates throughout the match and exports clips after the tournament. The organiser does not need to know how to run the equipment. Rental terms are negotiated case by case, per match day or for the whole tournament.

The equipment is packed in shock-proof flight cases, so the technical team can travel to any venue. This suits tournaments held at several locations in the same season.

Buying a package: suited to venue owners

Venue owners have daily bookings and need a lasting competitive edge. With the system installed on site, VAR can become a premium feature in the hire package, serving both friendly matches and tournaments brought to the venue.

Sol26 VAR is sold in three configuration tiers. The right tier depends on the number of pitches, pitch size and how the venue plans to use it.

A system installed at the venue stores full match video, so dramatic plays and VAR checks can be extracted for the owner to post on TikTok and Facebook. It can also be deployed for pickleball, tennis, badminton, billiards and basketball if the venue offers several sports.

Point-by-point comparison

• Customer: renting suits tournament organisers, buying suits venue owners
• Location: renting works at any venue, buying is tied to the installed venue
• Frequency: renting covers tournament days, buying covers regular use
• Operation: the rental includes a technician for the whole match
• Cost: renting is priced per match day or tournament, buying is an investment by configuration tier
• Revenue: organisers can offset rental cost with a VAR sponsorship package, venue owners earn from a value-added service

What is the same in both options

Whether rented or bought, the system has the same core components: 4 to 8 synchronised cameras, a control desk with Replay and Live screens, a review monitor for the head referee and an intercom between the VAR desk and the referee. Supported incidents are goals, penalties, straight red cards, mistaken identity and offside.

Questions for self-assessment

1. 1How many match days per year need VAR
2. 2Whether the tournament is held at one venue or moves each season
3. 3Whether VAR is needed for everyday matches outside tournaments
4. 4Whether the venue has several pitch types, such as 5-a-side, 7-a-side or pickleball courts, to serve
5. 5Which revenue will cover the cost: sponsorship, entry fees or pitch hire prices

Frequently asked questions

How is VAR rental priced?

Rental terms are negotiated case by case, per match day or as a package for the whole tournament.

Does the rental include a technician?

Yes. The technician travels with the equipment, sets up before kick-off, operates during the match and hands over clips after the tournament.

How many configuration tiers are there for purchase?

Sol26 VAR is sold as a package in three configuration tiers for venues, chosen by number of pitches and expected use.

Does the system work for 11-a-side pitches?

Yes. It works for 5, 7 and 11-a-side pitches, with more cameras for larger pitches.