Champions League could undergo drastic change not seen in 25 years

Champions League footballs produced by Adidas may become a thing of the past after a 25-year partnership.

The German sportswear giants are official sponsors of UEFA’s top-tier club competition and have had their iconic logo on balls since 2001.

Getty

However, Adidas could soon lose out on such marketing as European football’s governing body eye potential new suitors.

As per The Athletic, UEFA may introduce a market opportunity for match ball sponsorship in their bid to maximise revenue.

Multiple parties are said to have expressed their interest in a deal for the rights.

Adidas are keen to continue their current sponsorship, although rivals Nike and Puma are also keen.

A joint venture between UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA) are set to eye new rights from the start of the 2027/28 season.

Relevent Football Partners and UC3 will launch a tender for the balls in the men’s Champions League.

Do Adidas produce other UEFA competition match balls?

The three stripes of Adidas have been a long-term brand associated with the Champions League.

Nike were the former sponsorship holders on the competition’s balls before their market competitors took over at the start of the 2000s.

Adidas also sponsored the Europa League match balls up until 2018, with Japanese brand Molten succeeding them for three seasons.

Molten also made the inaugural Conference League balls before the branding fell to Kipsta, who are also on the Europa League footballs.

Getty

Champions League results so far

This season’s competition has reached the last 16, with all of the first legs being played during the week.

Galatasaray were 1-0 winners at home to Liverpool, whilst Atalanta were thrashed 6-1 at home by Bayern Munich.

Tottenham Hotspur suffered a 5-1 battering at Atletico Madrid, and Newcastle United were held to a 1-1 draw by Barcelona.

A controversial penalty handed Arsenal a late 1-1 draw away to Bayer Leverkusen, as Bodo/Glimt shocked Sporting Lisbon in a 3-0 win.

Paris Saint-Germain were 5-2 winners at home to Chelsea, and Real Madrid beat Manchester City 3-0.

The second legs will be played across Tuesday and Wednesday night.