adidas presents the new official UEFA Champions League match balls

Adidas has unveiled the official match balls for the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League and UEFA Women's Champions League group stages. This announcement marks the beginning of the final season of the German brand's historic partnership with Europe's premier men's club competition. From the following season onward, the contract will be taken over by Nike. UEFA's coefficient rankings had already shown a decline for France following Olympique Lyonnais' elimination.

 

A historic partnership comes to an end

adidas has presented the new official match balls for the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League and UEFA Women's Champions League group stages. These models inaugurate the final season of the German manufacturer's contract with UEFA for the men's competition. For several years, adidas has supplied the matches of Europe's most prestigious club competition. This collaboration will conclude after the 2026/27 season, with Nike becoming the new official partner from the following season. The change in supplier marks a new chapter in the commercial evolution of the UEFA Champions League.

Balls designed for the group stages

The balls unveiled by adidas are specifically designed for the group stage matches of both competitions. Their design and technical features meet the demands of European matches. The ball for the UEFA Champions League and the one for the women's version share a common aesthetic, while incorporating distinctive elements. These balls will be used from the start of the group stages, which kick off the 2026/27 season. Participating clubs will need to adapt to these new equipment for their training sessions and official matches.

A changing market for the UEFA Champions League

The handover from adidas to Nike is part of a broader renewal of UEFA's commercial partnerships. The competition continues to grow in appeal, attracting new players in the sports market. UEFA had recently ended its threat to boycott FIFA competitions, illustrating the ongoing tensions between European and international federations. This transition occurs as UEFA strengthens its position in the face of the economic and sporting challenges of modern football. The new adidas balls will thus remain symbols of a bygone era before Nike enters the world of the UEFA Champions League.