What is BBC's 3D Live Match Experience and how does it work?

When England captain Harry Kane latches onto a through ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, millions of viewers watching through the BBC's new 3D Experience will be able to see the match unfold through his eyes — feeling the pressure of the moment, the weight of the moment, just as he does.

The BBC has launched what it calls the 3D Experience, a pioneering technology that promises to transform how British audiences watch football. Unveiled for the duration of the World Cup, the platform marks a first for UK broadcasting — a completely new way to follow matches that puts viewers in control of their perspective in ways never before possible on television.

Through the experience, fans can switch between a tactical match view that maps out formations and player movements across the entire pitch, a first-person player's point of view that immerses viewers in the action from any athlete's perspective, and even take control of broadcast cameras to frame the game entirely on their own terms. There is also a third-person option that lets viewers track specific players throughout the match, following their runs, tackles, and decisions in real time.

What sets this apart from traditional broadcasts is the depth of insight it offers. Every pass, every sprint, every collision can be replayed and examined from a broader range of angles than ever before, offering viewers a richer understanding of the sport's intricacies. Audiences can follow matches live as they happen, or rewind to relive key moments — a last-minute equaliser, a controversial refereeing decision, a stunning goal — and study them from every conceivable vantage point.

The technology is accessible exclusively through BBC Sport, reachable at bbc.co.uk/3dWorldCup. There, viewers can tune into live matches as they unfold or revisit games that have already concluded, making it possible to catch up on the tournament's most dramatic moments at any time.

For football fans in the UK, this represents more than a gimmick — it is a genuine shift in how sport can be consumed, one that could reshape expectations for future tournaments and broadcasts. As the world's attention turns to the 2026 World Cup, the BBC is offering audiences a seat not just in front of the television, but onto the pitch itself.