It’s not long now until the group stages of the UEFA Champions League and Women’s UEFA Champions League begin. Get excited because adidas has started the party early by unveiling the gorgeous new UCL and WUCL match balls.
Inspired by the iconic pre-match anthems that reverberate around stadiums at the start of every game, the new designs pay tribute to these iconic symphonies and the irreplaceable feelings of excitement and anticipation that come with them.
Set on a metallic silver background, the men’s iteration of the official match ball integrates a single letter from the instantly recognisable chorus lyric – ‘THE CHAMPIONS’ – onto each of the 12 stars, in an opulent calligraphy style. A visual representation of the musical tones of the song interject the stars, in striking royal purple, red and blue – colours specifically chosen to represent the footballing royalty competing for the coveted trophy.
The introduction of a bespoke anthem for the WUCL in the 2021-22 season, marked the start of a new dawn for the tournament. In honour of that moment, the new design incorporates the lyrics of the song in two of the ball’s eye-catching star panels – creating a unique circular text pattern in bright orange. The remaining ten stars feature a wavy purple and pink print, curated using the same words from the anthem, but significantly enlarged to create an abstract and attention-grabbing look.
UCL and WUCL 2023-24 match balls price & how to buy
The Champions League and Women’s Champions League match balls are available to buy right now from adidas. Here’s a closer look at the items available:
