UEFA has confirmed that Adidas will remain the official match ball supplier for the Champions League for the next three seasons. The three-year deal, which extends a partnership that began in 2001, allows Adidas to provide the official match balls for all UEFA Champions League fixtures starting from the play-offs, featuring new designs each season. This agreement also extends to the UEFA Super Cup, UEFA Youth League and UEFA Futsal Champions League.
The announcement follows the unveiling of the new UCL ball by Adidas, which this season opts for a simplified black-and-white star design to mark the debut of the new Champions League format. The classic design is accented with subtle turbo red and solar yellow detailing to give the ball a modern touch, incorporating adidas’s latest technology, as a new generation of players compete for European football’s biggest club prize.
This partnership is also critical in the larger context of Adidas’s competition with rival brands such as Nike and Puma. By locking in the most prestigious club competition in the world, Adidas maintains its visibility and relevance at the highest level of football. For UEFA, working with a top-tier brand like Adidas ensures that its players and competitions are equipped with the best-quality products.
The renewed agreement has solidified adidas's role as the official match ball supplier for the prestigious UEFA Champions League. Since their initial collaboration in 2001, UEFA and the German sportswear giant have shared a commitment to excellence and innovation in football. The extended partnership underscores this shared vision and the enduring appeal of the Champions League.
As part of the agreement, the sportswear brand will continue to provide the UCL with its cutting-edge match balls, renowned for their quality, durability, and innovative design. These high-performance match balls play a crucial role in enhancing the playing experience and captivating fans worldwide.
The renewal of the UEFA-adidas partnership comes at an exciting time for the UCL, which is undergoing a significant transformation. The introduction of a new format, featuring a 36-team league and an expanded fixture list, promises to deliver even more thrilling matches and increase fan engagement.
As the Champions League enters a new era, the global sporting goods giant’s continued involvement as the official match ball supplier will play a vital role in ensuring the tournament’s continued success and global appeal.
The renewed agreement will continue through the 2026-27 season, solidifying the global athletic brand’s role as the official match ball supplier for the prestigious UEFA Champions League.
Adidas’s Role in the Champions League
The partnership between Adidas and UEFA has been a long and fruitful one, dating back to 2001. During the 23-year collaboration, Adidas has become synonymous with the Champions League with its balls’ star design, which reflects the tournament’s branding.
Adidas’s Commitment to Social Change
In addition, adidas’ on-going partnership with Common Goal will see 1% of all global net sales from adidas footballs – including this latest release - contributing towards initiatives driving lasting social change for under-served communities, helping to create a better and more inclusive future through football.
A Key Partnership for UEFA
The extension of the partnership is a major boost for UEFA, which is currently undergoing a major revamp of its top club competitions. The new format of the Champions League, with its expanded field and increased number of games, is a significant departure from the traditional format.
The partnership with Adidas is a key part of UEFA’s strategy to make its competitions more attractive to fans and sponsors alike. The extended partnership will allow UEFA to continue to build on the success of the Champions League and ensure that it remains the most prestigious club competition in the world.
A New Era for the Champions League
The new format of the Champions League has been met with a mixed reaction from fans and pundits. Some are excited by the prospect of more matches and the opportunity to see more teams compete at the highest level. Others are concerned about the impact of the new format on the traditional structure of the competition.
The new format has been met with a mixed reaction from fans and pundits. Some are excited by the prospect of more matches and the opportunity to see more teams compete at the highest level. Others are concerned about the impact of the new format on the traditional structure of the competition.
Only time will tell how the new format will affect the Champions League. But one thing is for sure, Adidas will be there every step of the way, providing the official match balls and helping to shape the future of the competition.
A Winning Partnership
The extension of the Adidas and UEFA partnership is a testament to the strength of the relationship between the two organizations. Both are committed to excellence and innovation in football, and the partnership will continue to benefit both parties for years to come.