UEFA has entered exclusive negotiations with Nike to become the official match ball provider from 2027, signaling the conclusion of Adidas’ twenty-five-year tenure and the retirement of the legendary star-patterned design.
Nike is set to become the official Champions League match ball supplier for the 2027-2031 cycle, ending a historic 25-year partnership with Adidas.
Since 2001, the iconic “star ball” has been synonymous with Europe’s premier competition, but Nike’s takeover will introduce a completely new aesthetic.
For many supporters, the change marks a significant cultural shift, with many claiming, “The Champions League without the star ball won’t feel the same.”
The transition moves away from the thermally bonded, star-panelled polyurethane design that defined the era of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
While Nike previously supplied UEFA between 1997 and 2001 using simpler “swoosh” graphics, their return promises a total visual overhaul.
Fans remain nostalgic for the Adidas era, as the star pattern provided the tournament’s first unique visual identity that defined legendary nights.