Adidas 2020 vs 2021 vs 2023 Champions League "Istanbul" Final Balls
The Adidas Champions League Final balls are an essential part of the UEFA Champions League, with each final featuring a new design. The 2020, 2021, and 2023 editions were all intended to be used in the Istanbul final, with each ball featuring the Istanbul final logo (albeit with different dates). We take a closer look at them.
Adidas Champions League Final Balls: A Comparison of 2020, 2021, and 2023 "Istanbul" Balls
The 2020 and 2021 Champions League finals had to be relocated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so the balls were used in different locations, but the designs remained the same. The 2021 ball was designed to celebrate Adidas' 20th anniversary as the UCL ball maker, while the 2020 and 2023 balls were both inspired by Istanbul.
The 2021 edition was not inspired by Istanbul but by the 20th anniversary of Adidas x UEFA Champions League
The 2020 and 2023 balls have a similar color scheme, with predominantly white navy/pink accents. However, the 2023 ball has a more classic look, inspired by antique Turkish/Osman patterns.
Adidas Finale 2022 Original (Saint Petersburg) vs New Champions League Ball
In 2022, the Champions League final had to be relocated away from Saint Petersburg due to Russia's war against Ukraine. The new 2022 Champions League final ball had a design inspired by the Champions League football of 2001, Adidas' first-ever ball for the Champions League.
Adidas Finale 2020 Champions League Final Ball
Based on the same template as the regular 19-20 CL ball, the Final ball features a bold graphic in pink and blue, showing the an aerial view of Istanbul and the Bosporus strait.
Spectacular Adidas 2020 Champions League Final Istanbul Ball Released
Adidas Champions League Final 2021 20th Anniversary Ball Released
A brand-new design - it's different from both last season's Istanbul design and the leaked Petersburg one, the 2021 UEFA Champions League Final ball introduces a clean design primarily in silver, white and orange. A subtle graphic appears inside the silver panels, while the stars are outlined in black.
Adidas Champions League Final 2021 20th Anniversary Ball Released
UEFA Champions League 2023 Final Ball
Based on the same model and tech as the regular UCL ball for next season, the 2023 UEFA Champions League Final ball features a design inspired by host city Istanbul - the final will be played at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium on 13 June, 2023.
Adidas 2023 UEFA Champions League Final Ball Released
Which of the Adidas Istanbul Champions League balls is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.
Vintage Football Shirts
from Cult Kits
2008 Corinthians Third Shirt (L) Nike
1990 Adidas GK Template Shirt (M)
1990's Nike Tiempo Jr Eleven Football Boots (5.5)
Cult Diego 1994 Argentina Tee
2007/08 France Henry #12 Home Shirt (L) Adidas
2018/19 Manchester United Womens Home Shirt (M) Adidas
2022/23 Mexico Lozano #22 Home Shirt (L) Adidas
2017 Bayern Munich Track Jacket (XXL) Adidas
1980'S Adidas Template Shirt (M)
1995/97 Adidas GK Template Shirt (L) Adidas
MLS Players Wear Their National Flags on Kits Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Major League Soccer last weekend hosted a dedicated "Farewell Week" to send off its international stars. To mark the occasion, all clubs across the domestic league took to the pitch wearing specially customized kits that honored the various nations represented within their squads.
The most prominent visual update to the MLS uniforms was the addition of official national flags printed directly on the chest for all players and coaching staff. In a highly thoughtful and personalized touch, the league provided specialized double-flag variations for athletes holding dual citizenship. This bespoke detail allowed these specific players to proudly represent both their current homelands and their heritage simultaneously before joining their respective national team camps.
Beyond the chest graphics, teams also sported a unique set of squad numbers on the back of their shirts, featuring a custom pattern made up of the flags of all 48 countries participating in this summer's World Cup.
What do you think of this customized flag concept for the MLS World Cup Farewell Week? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
