A football tracking system used for locating real-time location of a football during play is disclosed. The system includes a tracking chip embedded in the football and a sensor network including a plurality of sensors positioned along at least the sidelines and the goal lines. The chip transmits the location of the football to the sensor network and one or more sensors receive the location of the football. A handheld device is held by one or more referees and the device is adapted to receive the location of the football along with the location of a sensor. A display screen on the device displays the real-time location of the football for enabling the referee to officiate the game.