Nike Takes Over Champions League Ball Design, Ending Adidas Era
The Champions League match ball is getting a complete redesign after Nike secured exclusive rights to supply it starting in 2027. This marks the end of Adidas's 26-year run providing the iconic star-patterned ball that's become a symbol of European football's top competition.
Nike won the contract by offering UEFA approximately $45 million annually—double what Adidas was paying. The deal covers not just the Champions League but also the Europa League and Conference League, which are currently supplied by French retailer Decathlon under the Kipsta brand.
The End of an Iconic Design
Adidas introduced the star-patterned Finale ball in 2001, and that design has been used in every Champions League match since. The stars mimic the competition's logo and have become instantly recognizable to football fans worldwide. Since Adidas holds the rights to that specific design, the 2027 final in Madrid will be the last match featuring the star ball.
Nike previously supplied Champions League balls between 1997 and 2001, using simpler designs that prominently featured their swoosh logo. Now they'll work with UC3—the joint venture between UEFA and leading clubs—to create a new design for the 2027-2031 cycle.
Key changes in the ball supply:
- Nike replaces Adidas as Champions League ball provider
- Current star design disappears after 2027 final
- Nike also supplies Europa League and Conference League balls
- French brand Kipsta loses its UEFA competitions contract
Broader Commercial Changes at UEFA
This ball change is part of larger commercial shifts happening at UEFA. Relevent Football Partners, owned by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, now handles commercial rights for UEFA's club competitions through 2033. They've made several significant changes beyond just the ball contract.
Relevent bundled all three European competition balls together for the first time in the tender process. They've also replaced UEFA's longtime commercial partner Team and sold the global beer partnership to AB InBev (makers of Budweiser and Michelob), ending Heineken's 35-year relationship that began when the Champions League launched in 1992.
TV rights have seen major changes too, with Paramount winning most Champions League rights in the UK and Germany from 2027. Rights in the US remain with CBS Sports/Paramount through 2030. Overall, Relevent has secured TV rights increases of over 20% in Europe's five biggest markets.
What This Means for Football
The ball change represents more than just a new supplier—it's the end of an era in European football. For a generation of players and fans, the Adidas star ball has been the visual representation of Champions League football. Its replacement will need to establish its own identity while maintaining the competition's prestige.
Nike's challenge will be creating a design that becomes equally iconic while differentiating itself from Adidas's successful formula. With their experience supplying balls for other major competitions and their previous UEFA relationship, they'll aim to make the transition as smooth as possible for players accustomed to the current ball.
Key takeaways:
- Nike will supply Champions League balls from 2027, ending Adidas's 26-year run
- The iconic star-patterned ball disappears after the 2027 final in Madrid
- Nike's contract covers all three UEFA club competitions
- This is part of broader commercial changes at UEFA under new partner Relevent
- TV rights and sponsorship deals are also undergoing significant shifts
While the star ball will be missed by many, Nike's takeover represents the latest evolution in football's commercial landscape. The new design will debut in the 2027-28 season, giving fans time to adjust before saying goodbye to a familiar Champions League symbol.
— Editorial Team
