Sports equipment manufacturer Adidas unveiled the official match balls for the group stage of the Women’s and Men’s Champions League on Wednesday.
Both balls differ visually from one another and are said to have symbolic meaning. “The distinctive designs embody commitment, passion, and team spirit as key factors for success on Europe’s biggest club soccer stage,” according to an Adidas press release. As has been the practice on several occasions in the past, there will likely be new balls for the knockout rounds next year.
The design of the men’s ball “captures the atmosphere of fog-shrouded training sessions in a play of light and color.” The women’s ball “celebrates the rise of women’s soccer. The iconic ring of eleven stars represents unity and shared ambition.”
Group Stage Draw on Thursday
On Thursday, the draw for the men’s Champions League group stage will take place at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
The first matchday of the group stage begins on September 8, and the group stage concludes on January 27, 2027. The final will take place on June 5, 2027, in Madrid. Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, and VfB Stuttgart are the German representatives.