NFL orders matching video-board displays for both teams during kicks

The NFL has instructed every club to use the same video- and ribbon-board display for the home and visiting teams during field-goal and extra-point attempts, following viral attention on a previous practice at Gillette Stadium. Source 1Source 3

What happened

The league issued its memo to all clubs on 7 September 2026. Source 1Source 3 Under the revised direction, boards must show either the same static image or the same All-22 view for both teams when kicks are attempted. Source 1Source 3 The instruction covers video boards and ribbon boards, rather than allowing a home side to vary the presentation according to which team is kicking. Source 1Source 3

Before the update, the policy allowed clubs to show a static image with no flashing, blinking or moving elements, or an All-22 camera view, including high-sideline or high-end-zone footage. Source 1Source 3 That earlier policy did not require clubs to make the same selection for both teams. Source 1Source 3

The change followed a social-media post by former Eagles strategy and analytics coach Ryan Paganetti that drew attention to the Patriots’ use of a reverse All-22 angle during opponents’ kicks at Gillette Stadium. Source 1Source 2Source 3 The reverse angle created the appearance of offset goalposts behind the actual uprights for opposing kickers, while a static image was shown when New England kicked. Source 1Source 3 The NFL had confirmed that the Patriots’ previous practice was legal under the policy then in force. Source 3

Why it matters

The new guidance applies to all 32 clubs and is intended to prevent a home-team advantage generated by differing video-board displays on kicking plays. Source 1Source 3 The memo says the requirement must be applied consistently in the interests of competitive equity, and that violations will bring accountability measures. Source 1Source 3

In practical terms, a club can still use a static display or an All-22 presentation during field goals and extra points, but it cannot use one permitted choice for its own kicker and a different one for the opposition. Source 1Source 3 That standard addresses the contrast highlighted in Paganetti’s post: a reverse view for visiting kickers and a static image for Patriots attempts. Source 1Source 3

What’s next

New England are scheduled to host the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium on 20 September, with kick-off listed for 17:00 UTC. Source 4 That fixture gives the revised video-board guidance an immediate home-game application for the Patriots. Source 4 New England enter the game at 0-1 after a 13-10 opening defeat at Seattle. Source 5

Notes

The NFL’s stated enforcement consequence is that violations will result in accountability measures. Source 1Source 3 The core requirement is not a ban on All-22 footage or static images, but the use of the same permitted display for both teams during the relevant kicking attempts. Source 1Source 3 The Patriots’ earlier approach was compliant before the memo changed the league-wide standard. Source 3