
UEFA has launched a formal tender for the official match‑ball rights of its men’s club competitions starting in the 2027/28 season, ending Adidas’ two‑decade hold on the Champions League ball. The bid process, run by Relevent Football Partners and UEFA’s UC3 joint venture, allows UEFA to package the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League balls together or separately to maximise revenue. Adidas faces the risk of losing a unique platform that delivers guaranteed global exposure across 173 matches per season. Competing brands such as Nike and Puma are already linked to the tender, signalling a potential reshuffle of football’s most visible equipment asset.

Germany’s football federation announced a switch from long‑time kit partner Adidas to Nike, with the new deal valued at over €100 million annually—about twice Adidas’ previous contract. The move ends a partnership that supplied the iconic three‑stripe shirts for four World...