The Death of the Starball: Nike Must Completely Redesign Champions League Ball
- Nike and Champions League: Nike will replace Adidas as the official Champions League ball supplier in 2027 for $45 million per year.
- End of the Starball: The iconic UEFA Champions League Starball design will be discontinued after the 2027 Champions League final because Adidas holds the exclusive rights to the star-panel design.
- New Design Needed: Nike, previously a supplier from 1997-2001, will need to create a completely new visual concept for the Champions League ball due to Adidas' trademark on the star design, which is based on UEFA's logo.
Nike is set to replace Adidas as the official Champions League ball supplier starting in 2027, but the biggest story is what this means for the ball's appearance. This supplier switch probably marks the official end of the most iconic football design in history: the UEFA Champions League Starball.
We won't see a Nike star-shaped ball likely
Adidas Holds Rights For Starball Design
Nike won't be able to release a star ball, likely.
According to a report from The Guardian, Adidas holds the exclusive rights to the famous star-panel ball design. Because of this, Nike cannot simply produce a ball with star-shaped panels. The 2027 Champions League final will be the absolute last time the classic Starball design is used on the pitch before Nike is forced to introduce a completely new visual concept.
The star design has been the Champions League logo since 1992 - way before the star ball design was introduced
Adidas' star ball design is actually just a copy of UEFA's star logo
This trademark situation is incredibly strange in our opinion. The star design used on the Adidas balls is simply a direct physical recreation of the official Champions League logo, which UEFA introduced way back in 1992. Adidas only introduced the physical star-shaped panels in 2008. It is completely bizarre that the German brand could somehow secure the exclusive rights for a ball structure that is entirely based on UEFA's own logo and intellectual property.
Nike previously supplied the Champions League balls between 1997 and 2001, utilizing much simpler, traditional panel designs featuring prominent Swooshes. The US brand will now have to work from scratch with UEFA to create a brand-new design identity for Europe's elite competition.
Adidas brought the star design to the Champions League in 2002
Adidas already registered a trademark for the Trionda ball panels that is in much doubt.
How do you feel about the death of the Champions League Starball design? What do you think the new Nike balls will look like? Let us know in the comments.
Vintage Football Shirts
from Cult Kits
1994/95 Tenerife Home Shirt (L) Puma
1979/82 Edmonton Drillers *BNWT* Home Shirt (M) Admiral Nasl
2001/02 Mexico J.Borgetti #9 Home Shirt (XL) Atletica
2017/18 Torino Belotti #9 L/S Away Shirt (M) Kappa
2019/20 Emelec Ortiz #12 *Match Issued* GK Shirt (M) Adidas
2000/01 Barcelona GK Shirt (L) Nike
1995/97 Adidas GK 'Terminator' Template Shirt (S)
1992 Tottenham Hotspur FC – #1 - Digital Print
2015/16 Hamburg Training Jacket (M) Adidas
2011/12 France M'Vila #17 *Player Issue* Away Shirt (M) Nike
Swiss-Ski Releases Limited-Edition "Cheese Jersey"
Swiss-Ski released the Chäs-Trikot 2026 (Cheese Jersey) on May 29, 2026, a limited-edition football jersey produced in exactly 2,026 pieces. The retro-style shirt draws direct inspiration from the legendary "Käsedress" worn by Swiss alpine skiers between 1992 and 1998, featuring a bright yellow base with digitally reconstructed Emmentaler cheese hole patterns from the original racing suit, a white polo collar and the traditional Swiss-Ski federation logo. The design serves as a crossover between winter sports heritage and fan culture, promoted under the slogan 'From the mountain peak to the fan curve'.
The jersey is available to buy online, retailing at CHF 49: https://store.swiss-ski.ch/de/products/football-shirt-cheese
Colwyn Bay 26-27 Home and Away Kits Released
Colwyn Bay Football Club has released its new home and away shirts for the 2026-27 Cymru Premier season. Produced by Adidas under a record five-year teamwear agreement, the kits represent a significant step for the Welsh club following its previous supplier partnership.
The designs were officially unveiled on May 29, 2026, during a membership and kit launch event at the Blue Turtle Arena. Fans have been quick to respond positively to the new Adidas branding across the club's various teams.
Pre-orders for the home and away shirts are now available through the official club store at store1881.com, allowing supporters to secure the kits ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Al-Nassr 26-27 Home Kit Leaked - 9 New Pictures
Footy Headlines can now leak 9 new pictures of the Adidas Al-Nassr 26-27 home kit. Although it is a fake, the design is identical to the real one.
The kit features a yellow base with dark navy shoulder stripes and chest logos.
Both the collar and the sleeve cuffs feature intricate, traditional patterns featured on the crew-neck collar and the sleeve cuffs.
Galatasaray 26-27 Pre-Match Shirt Leaked
The upcoming Puma Galatasaray 2026-2027 pre-match shirt has leaked via kit insider @KamilBerberler.
The Galatasaray 26-27 pre-match shirt has a solid orange base color with a striking spray paint-like stripe. A red crew-neck collar and matching red sleeve cuffs frame the bright torso.
Puma has opted for a centralized layout for the front-of-shirt branding. The official, full-color Galatasaray crest sits proudly in the middle of the chest, directly above a tonal red Puma performance logo.
What are your thoughts on the new Galatasaray 26-27 pre-match shirt? Let us know in the comments below.
