2000-2020 Full Adidas Champions League Ball History
Feb 24, 2020, by Pat
Update: We have updated this article with many more detailed pictures of all (almost) Adidas UEFA Champions League balls released since Adidas took over from Nike in 2020. Just some days ago, Adidas released the Adidas Finale 20 Istanbul ball for the 2020 UEFA Champions League knockout stage, and also the final in Istanbul. All high-res pictures via ykyeco (adidasmatchballs.com).
UEFA Champions League Ball History
The Champions League star ball design is definitely the most iconic in the game.
The story starts in 2000, since wehn Adidas supplied the Champions League final ball. 2003-04 was the first season to feature a single ball - up until then teams used the same balls they had in their domestic league games. A big thanks goes to Bleacher Report, who crafted these spectacular graphics.
Throughout the years, despite updates in panel shape and tech, the overall 'Starball' approach stayed the same and helped create what is easily one of the most recognizable football designs. It's a telling sign that Adidas, who've been the official supplier since '03, decided to keep the license while dropping almost all others - it's the only major one the company holds besides the World Cup.
A new trend was started with last year's edition: instead of featuring dark stars on a white base, the concept was reverted. It might be a good idea to go back to what worked best next season - so far, there hasn't been a leak of the 2020-21 Champions League ball.
What's your favorite Champions League football? Are you a fan of the new 'reverted' color scheme? Comment below.
Club America 26-27 Pre-Match & Goalkeeper Kits Leaked
Leak expert @KamilBerberler has continued to share official images of Club América's new 2026-27 pre-match and goalkeeper kits, both featuring an eagle-wing pattern that pays tribute to the club's iconic mascot.
Mamba FC Barcelona 26-27 Away Goalkeeper Kit Lekaed
Footy Headlines can leak the official images of Mamba Barcelona's 2026-27 goalkeeper away kit, featuring a snakeskin pattern that pays tribute to the "Black Mamba," matching the club's 2026-27 away kit.
FC Barcelona 26-27 Home, Away & Third Socks Leaked
The first pictures of the FC Barcelona 26-27 home, away, and third socks have been leaked, courtesy of Barcelona shirt collector and club insider @memorabilia1899. This latest update follows earlier reveals of the team's upcoming Nike kits, giving fans a closer look at the complete on-pitch equipment for the 26-27 season.
The newly leaked photo showcases the sock designs for all three primary kits. While the home socks were previously touched upon in a late June post, this new leak provides the first combined look at the full set. Notably, the away socks feature a dark colorway, which ties into the highly anticipated black and purple Kobe Bryant-inspired 'Mamba' away kit.
These socks will complete the Nike FC Barcelona 26-27 uniform line-up, which is shaping up to be one of the club's most distinct collections in recent years. With the home kit introducing a fresh stripe design and the away kit breaking new ground, the accompanying socks round out a bold aesthetic for the Catalan giants.
Plymouth Argyle 26-27 Away Kit Released
A beautiful Plymouth Argyle 26-27 away kit has been released, taking inspiration from the city's coastal location.
The Plymouth Argyle 26-27 away shirt features a striking wave-inspired blue and white pattern. This bespoke design pays homage to the shores of Plymouth Sound, closely tying the kit to the local area. Royal blue details are incorporated on the collar and cuffs, completing the maritime theme.
Official Pictures: Manchester United 26-27 Away Kit Leaked
Official images of the new Adidas Manchester United 26-27 away kit have been shared by @KamilBerberler.
The shirt features a blue and red color scheme inspired by the club's classic 1988 away kit and the nearby River Irwell. The official launch of the Manchester United 26-27 away kit is expected to take place on July 22.
Inter Milan 26-27 i96 Jacket Leaked
Images of the Inter Milan 26-27 i96 jacket have been leaked by football apparel tracker @KamilBerberler. The new Nike track jacket for the Italian club introduces a design that draws inspiration from the famous Nike Premier 1996 design.
FK Teplice 26-27 Home Kit Released
The new FK Teplice 26-27 home kit by Macron introduces a traditional yellow base with blue accents. The standout element of the shirt is the embossed vertical stripes incorporated into the fabric, which discreetly display the names of all the players from the club's 1976-77 cup-winning team. In addition to the standard version, a clean variant without sponsor logos is also available.
Club Atlético Los Andes 2026 Away Kit Released
Club Atlético Los Andes has launched its new 2026 away kit, manufactured by Mitre. Dubbed 'Linaje de Barrio' (Neighborhood Lineage), the new alternative strip honors the Argentine club's origins.
The Mitre Club Atlético Los Andes 2026 away jersey features a classic aesthetic highlighted by fine vertical pinstripes. This elegant design element pays homage to the suits frequently worn by the club's founder, Don Eduardo Gallardón, delivering a vintage look that symbolizes the team's historic roots.