This article contains adult content that may be inappropriate for minors. Please confirm that you are 18 years or older to continue. This article contains images or details that some readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. The UEFA Champions League ball, an icon of the competition provided by Adidas since 2001, may soon have a new manufacturer. UEFA, in conjunction with the European Football Clubs (ECA), is preparing to open a tender for the supply of the official ball for its men's club competitions starting from the 2027/28 season, signaling the end of a long-standing partnership. The decision to open the market arises from the desire to maximize commercial revenues. Relevent Football Partners and UC3, the company managing the commercial rights of UEFA and ECA, will launch the official tender, and sources close to the process, who requested anonymity, confirm that there is already interest from several brands, according to The Athletic. Adidas, the current partner, aims to maintain its connection to Europe's premier club competition but will face competition from giants like Nike and Puma, who have also expressed their interest. The German brand has been supplying the Champions League ball for 25 years, succeeding Nike. Currently, the ball supply contracts for UEFA competitions end at the conclusion of the 2026/2027 season. In addition to Adidas in the Champions League, the French company Decathlon has been supplying balls for the UEFA Europa League and Conference League since 2024. The new approach from UC3 and Relevent allows proposals to cover the three competitions together or separately, depending on what is financially more advantageous. This is not the first time UEFA has shown openness to ending historic partnerships in search of better deals. Recently, Anheuser-Busch In Bev (AB In Bev) began negotiations to replace Heineken as the beer sponsor, a relationship that had lasted since 1994. AB In Bev's proposal, worth 200 million euros annually, represents a 66% increase over the previous agreement with Heineken. Similarly, Pepsi was forced to more than double its investment to maintain sponsorship in the soft drink category after a competitive process involving its rivals. Puma, in particular, has been gaining ground in the football ball market. The German sports brand has already secured contracts with the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A, breaking Nike's dominance in some of these competitions. With a global audience of 1.18 billion viewers last season, the Champions League represents an immense visibility platform, making the battle for the supply of its official ball a commercially significant contest.
End of European Football Clubs remains central to this story.
End of European Football Clubs remains central to this story.
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