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.
Argentina Lionel Messi World Cup Kit History
The official Argentina national team account has released a special image paying tribute to Messi’s journey through the FIFA World Cups he has participated in, and is set to participate in, throughout his career. Published just ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the image provides a visual journey through the various kits worn by the legendary captain since his World Cup debut in 2006.
The collage highlights the evolution of Argentina’s home and away kits across six consecutive World Cups, featuring the different designs and squad numbers worn by Messi. It showcases his early days in the number 19 shirt and his iconic, long-standing tenure in the number 10. The graphic serves as a retrospective of his milestones, spanning from his first World Cup appearance in 2006 to the team's historic triumph in the 2022 tournament.
Messi, along with Cristiano Ronaldo and Guillermo Ochoa, became the first three players in history to participate in six consecutive FIFA World Cups during their careers.
Accompanying the graphic is the message "Let's go for one more, LEGEND!", building anticipation for the 2026 World Cup where Argentina will compete as defending champions. The post has sparked nostalgia among fans, with many reminiscing about their favorite classic kits from Messi's international career, particularly the 2006 and 2014 editions.
Chelsea 26-27 Away Kit Leaked + Shorts
Footy Headlines can now leak 4 new pictures of the Nike Chelsea 26-27 away kit. Although it is a fake, the design is identical to the real one.
The Chelsea 2026-2027 away kit features a solid black base with 'Midwest Gold' Nike logos and graphic patterns on the collar and sleeve cuffs.
The shorts of the Chelsea FC 2026-2027 away uniform are black.
England 2026 World Cup Kit Font Prepared with Laser
Football kit retailer @subsidesports has offered a behind-the-scenes look into their printing operations ahead of the 2026 World Cup. In a recent social media update, the company shared a video of their heat press machinery in action, highlighting the process behind their Fan Style customization service. This service utilizes official typefaces and plotter sheets to apply names and numbers to replica shirts, ensuring an authentic look for supporters.
The short video features what eagle-eyed followers suspect to be a Transmatic REV 5SA heat press, a heavy-duty machine used for professional garment decoration.
One standout detail is that they used lasers to ensure the names and numbers were placed with absolute precision on the back of the jerseys. It’s a testament to Subside Sports’ commitment to craftsmanship and attention to detail.
What if? Adidas x Yugoslavia
Designer F1CA has imagined how Adidas x Yugoslavia could look like in 2026, if Yugoslavia still existed. He used Kit Creator to create and share his design.
