FIFA centralizes 2026 World Cup broadcasting at new Dallas hub
FIFA and HBS will centralize core broadcast production elements for the FIFA World Cup 2026, including replay, graphics, and camera shading, at a new International Broadcast Centre (IBC) in Dallas. This remote production strategy aims to enhance consistency across 16 venues and 104 matches, leveraging technologies like EVS Extra Motion and Ref Cam. The setup includes signal workflow via Verizon, a post-production hub in London, and centralized operations for VAR and stadium entertainment.
Key Takeaways
- International Broadcast Centre (IBC) in downtown Dallas spans approximately 485,000 square feet and houses VAR, stadium entertainment, and host-broadcast sites.
- Centralized replay operation utilizes 60–70 specialists at the IBC rather than full onsite crews to ensure editorial consistency across 16 different venue teams.
- Ref Cam technology, supported by Lenovo and Verizon 5G, uses AI-powered stabilization to reduce motion blur and jitter by up to 50% for live broadcast use.
- Strategic post-production hub established in London to leverage UK-based talent and reduce international travel costs for a crew of roughly 300 people.
- EVS Extra Motion AI is being deployed for the first time to convert standard Steadicam footage into high-frame-rate replays for goal celebrations.
Why It Matters
The shift to a centralized, remote-first production model at this scale signals a permanent departure from resource-heavy onsite broadcast compounds for mega-events. By anchoring operations in Dallas and London, FIFA addresses the critical shortage of high-end technical crews during a packed North American summer sports calendar. Furthermore, the integration of AI-stabilized Ref Cams and EVS Extra Motion demonstrates how software is now used to generate high-value 'specialty' angles from standard camera feeds, reducing capital expenditure on proprietary hardware. Watch for whether Verizon’s private 5G networks can maintain sub-five-second latency for the IBC's 10-channel IPTV feed during peak demand at the 48-team tournament.
Additional Context
Additional context: The technical scale of the 2026 World Cup is driven by FIFA's expansion to 48 teams, necessitating a shift toward robust IP-based infrastructure. Per InformationWeek (June 2026), Lenovo is deploying ThinkSystem SR635 V3 servers at the Dallas IBC to manage the massive flow of live video data, which FIFA expects will reach record digital engagement levels. This follows regional infrastructure preparations where Verizon upgraded host stadium networks to handle an estimated 50 terabytes of data per match, installing thousands of antennas and private 5G nodes specifically to support low-latency broadcast tools like the Lenovo 'Referee View' (per Verizon, April 2026). At the 2026 NAB Show, EVS showcased the AI-driven 'XtraMotion' and 'Xeebra' tools that FIFA is now implementing, which use deep learning from millions of images to provide one-touch deblurring and cinematic effects for live sports (per BroadcastNow, April 2026).
Global distribution strategies have also evolved to meet the 104-match schedule. While traditional broadcasters like Fox in the U.S. and Televisa in Mexico retain primary rights, FIFA has signed 'preferred platform' deals with TikTok and YouTube to allow rights holders to stream game highlights and select live windows directly within those apps (per Wikipedia, June 2026). In Brazil, the digital-first CazéTV secured rights for every match after a successful 2025 Club World Cup trial, reflecting a broader ecosystem move toward conversational, influencer-led commentary that complements the centralized feed produced in Dallas (per WSLS, June 2026). These moves collectively aim to capture the 1.5 billion digital-only viewers FIFA projected based on 2022 Qatar viewership data.
Read full article at sportsvideo.org
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