Return to the Bundesliga: adidas presents new official matchball from 2026-27 season

adidas have struck a four-year deal with the DFL to supply the matchballs for the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2. This collaboration marks the return of adidas to the Bundesliga, having last provided the matchballs for both leagues in the 2017/18 season.

From the 2026/27 season onwards, the official matchball for the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 will come from adidas. The cooperation with the global brand, born in Herzogenaurach, Germany, will initially run for four seasons until the conclusion of the 2029/30 season, and will apply to all matches in Germany’s top two divisions, as well as the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup and the relegation play-off. For adidas, the collaboration marks a comeback. The official matchball for the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 was supplied by the brand with the three stripes from 2010/11 to 2017/18.

DFL CEO Steffen Merkel said: “The selection of the right official matchball is of particular relevance for the Bundesliga, given it is the highest-scoring top league in Europe. adidas tabled a very strong offer, that was accepted by the DFL and the 36 clubs in all parameters. We are very pleased about this return and the early planning security that comes with the co-operation. adidas is a company that is deeply rooted in Germany and at the same time has great global appeal. Together, we want to utilise this starting from the season after next.” 

Marina Moguš, Managing Director for Central Europe at adidas, said: “We are very excited about the new partnership with the DFL. The future cooperation once again strengthens our presence in the domestic market. After all these years, it was very important to us to once again provide the official match ball for the German Bundesliga. Now we can hardly wait to write a new chapter together with the DFL from the 2026/27 season.”

The teams will continue to play with DERBYSTAR balls until the end of the upcoming 2025/26 season. Merkel adds: “In view of the upcoming change, we would like to thank our current partner DERBYSTAR all the more for the excellent, trusting cooperation throughout the partnership.”