Balls
Premier League Match Ball Spotted in German 9th Tier for Niklas Süle Debut
Former Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Germany defender Niklas Süle recently made headlines by stepping onto the pitch for German amateur side SV Tiefenbach in the Kreisliga. Having stepped away from the professional game at the end of the 25-26 season, the 30-year-old made his debut for the local ninth-tier club in Baden-Württemberg alongside close friends. While Süle managed to score a headed goal in a 7-2 defeat against SG Kirchardt, we quickly spotted an unexpected detail: the match was played with the official Nike Premier League 24-25 Third ball.
Seeing a Premier League match ball in the lower divisions of German regional football is an unusual and amusing sight, as amateur clubs across the country usually rely on non-league or, also, Bundesliga balls.
The distinctive Nike Flight Premier League design inspired by the Total 90 design, complete with its signature aerodynamic groove pattern and Premier League graphics, stood out prominently on the district league pitch.
Adidas 26-27 Champions League Stage Ball Used by Arsenal in Friendly
The Adidas Champions League 26-27 League Phase Ball made an early appearance during Arsenal's two most recent pre-season friendlies.
This could very well be the final Champions League League Phase ball produced by Adidas, as Nike is expected to take over as the official match ball supplier for UEFA men's club competitions starting from the 27-28 season.
Big thanks to @jerseystory_vn for spotting this detail and creating the graphic.
Mitre 2026 FA Community Shield Ball Released
Mitre has officially revealed the official match ball for the 2026 FA Community Shield. Based on the brand's flagship Ultimax Pro model, the special-edition ball will take center stage at the traditional English season opener in Cardiff featuring Arsenal and Manchester City.
The ball introduces a vibrant look designed to stand out on the pitch, combining bold shades of orange, yellow, light blue, and deep navy fluidly draped across white panels. Mitre's signature chevron graphics appear across the upper, highlighted by silver and navy outlines. Official branding reading The FA Community Shield and 26-27 season detailing are stamped directly on the main panel.
Technically, the 26-27 FA Community Shield Ultimax Pro ball utilizes Mitre's top-tier thermally bonded panel structure, equipped with hyperflow debossed surface texturing for superior flight consistency and grip. The match ball has been launched in limited numbers and is available now via select stockists including Pro:Direct Soccer.
