In this article, CicloKick digs into the question “does La Liga have VAR”, giving you the full picture: how long it’s been used, what the rules are, and the exciting changes coming in the 2025-26 season.
What is VAR and has La Liga used it
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is a system used in football to help referees make decisions on certain critical incidents by reviewing video replays. Critical incidents include goals, penalties (or no penalties), direct red cards, and mistaken identity. VAR aims to correct “clear and obvious errors” or serious missed incidents, following the protocol set out by IFAB.
La Liga has had VAR in use since the 2018-19 season.
How does VAR currently work in La Liga
To understanddoes La Liga have VAR more deeply, here are the essential rules and how VAR is implemented now:
- VAR is active throughout every match in La Liga. Referees on the field can be assisted by the video referee reviewing incidents. The VAR room monitors the game in real time.
- They intervene only in certain situations:
- Goal/no goal
- Penalty/no penalty
- Direct red card (not a second yellow)
- Mistaken identity (if the referee cautions or sends off the wrong player)
- The principle of “clear and obvious error” is key: unless the VAR sees something clearly wrong or a serious miss, they don’t step in. This keeps the flow of the match as clean as possible.
- Technology providers: Mediapro continues to supply VAR services in La Liga and the Segunda (second division) under contracts that currently run through 2027-28.
What’s Changing: VAR in the 2025-26 La Liga season
Great news — if you thought VAR was static, you’ll be interested in some major updates coming to La Liga. These changes show that does La Liga have VAR is evolving, not just confirming stuff.
Here are the key upgrades:
- Starting from the 2025-26 season, La Liga will allow coaches (head coaches) to initiate VAR reviews themselves. Each coach gets two challenge opportunities.
- How it works:
- If the referee’s decision is overturned following the coach’s challenge, the coach gets to keep that challenge (i.e. they’ve not “lost” the chance).
- If the challenge fails (referee’s call is upheld), then the coach uses up one challenge. OneFootball)
- This new rule is meant to enhance transparency, reduce contentious decisions, and give coaches more agency.
- It’s currently being trialed in lower divisions and female leagues (and/or alternatives like FVS — Football Video Support) before full adoption in La Liga.
Benefits and controversies of VAR in La Liga
No system is perfect — and VAR in La Liga has both its champions and critics. Understanding these will help you grasp not only does La Liga have VAR, but how it’s received.
Benefits:
- Helps reduce clear referee mistakes in critical moments: goals, penalties, red cards. Improves fairness.
- Technological improvements, such as semi-automatic offside detection, have boosted accuracy in tight calls.
- The challenge rule for coaches introduces more accountability: clubs can demand decisions to be reviewed themselves, which may reduce controversial media controversies.
Controversies & challenges:
- Critics argue that even with VAR, many decisions are ambiguous — what is “clear and obvious” is often subjective. Some fans/teams feel VAR still misses incidents or intervenes too late.
- Frequent stoppages or delays for reviews can disrupt the flow of the match, annoying fans and players.
- Teams occasionally feel disadvantaged by VAR rulings or inconsistent interpretations. There are complaints about bias or errors even after reviews.
Does La Liga have VAR: Quick FAQ
Here are some faster answers to common questions around the main keyword does La Liga have VAR and related topics.
| Question | Answer |
| Since when has La Liga used VAR? | Since the 2018-19 season. |
| Is VAR permanent in La Liga? | Yes — providers are contracted through 2027-28, and the league is committed to using it. |
| Can teams challenge referee decisions? | Starting in 2025-26, yes — each coach gets two challenges. |
| What incidents can VAR correct? | Goals/no goals, penalties/no penalties, direct red cards, and mistaken identity. |
| Is there semi-automatic offside? | Yes, in La Liga already or planned as part of technological improvements. |
Impact of the New VAR Challenge Rule
With the changes coming in 2025-26, the landscape of La Liga officiating will shift in several ways:
- Strategic coaching decisions: Coaches will now have to weigh when to use their challenges — using them too early might leave you without recourse later in a crucial moment.
- Pressure on referees and VAR rooms: More accountability, scrutiny, especially when a coach’s challenge overturns or fails.
- Potential for more fairness (if done well): Controversial calls that once only depended on VAR interventions may be more contested, and potentially more transparent.
- Risk of delays: Challenge requests add another layer; managing time and maintaining match flow will be important.
Conclusion
Does La Liga have VAR? Yes — La Liga has been using VAR since the 2018-19 season, and it will continue well into the coming years under current contracts. But far. With the 2025-26 season, coaches will finally have challenge power: two requests per match to initiate VAR reviews, changing how key moments are handled on the pitch.
If you love football, these changes are pretty exciting: they bring extra drama, more fairness, and new tactical layers. CicloKick will keep you updated as the season progresses — you’ll want to watch for how coaches use their challenges and whether this rule truly cuts down on controversy. Stay tuned, follow latest match reports, and check how VAR decisions are shaping outcomes this La Liga season.
