Nike in exclusive talks to replace adidas as Champions League ball supplier | OneFootball

Nike is in exclusive negotiations to become the official match ball supplier for UEFA’s men’s club competitions, potentially ending adidas’s long-standing partnership with the Champions League.

The proposed agreement would result in Nike providing match balls for the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League.

The official Champions League match ball has been supplied by adidas since 2001. That long-running arrangement could now end after UEFA opened a competitive tender process earlier this year.

The governing body sought new proposals to increase commercial revenue from the match ball sponsorship category.

UC3, a joint venture between UEFA and the European Club Association, managed the process.

UC3 oversees the commercial rights and marketing operations for UEFA’s club competitions.

Following the bidding process, Nike emerged as the preferred candidate and entered an exclusive negotiation period with the organisation.

The negotiations follow a competitive tender launched in March 2026, which involved marketing agency Relevent Football Partners.

Nike’s potential appointment would represent a major return to the elite European match-ball market.

Adidas has dominated the sector for decades, also supplying match balls for the FIFA World Cup and the European Championship.

However, competition between major sportswear brands has intensified in recent years.

Puma has expanded its presence in football equipment sponsorships, replacing Nike as the official ball supplier for the Premier League this season.

Puma also became the official ball supplier for Serie A in 2022 and has held the same role in La Liga since 2019.

Nike previously produced Premier League match balls from the 2000/01 season until losing the contract to Puma.

Meanwhile, the Europa League and Europa Conference League currently use balls manufactured by Kipsta, the sports brand owned by French retailer Decathlon.

Those agreements are scheduled to expire at the end of the 2026/27 season.

If negotiations are successfully concluded, Nike would assume responsibility for supplying match balls across the three UEFA club competitions from the start of the 2027/28 campaign.

The development highlights UEFA’s willingness to reassess long-term partnerships in pursuit of improved commercial deals.

Recent negotiations involving sponsorship categories, such as official beer partners, have also reflected the organisation’s strategy to increase commercial value across its competitions.