On November 15, 2023, in a grand event in Berlin, Adidas introduced the official match ball for UEFA Euro 2024, named FUSSBALLLIEBE, translating to ‘love of football.’ As Europe eagerly anticipates the summer tournament in Germany, the ball’s design aims to embody the spirit of the game, focusing on precision and the joy associated with football.
The ball’s unveiling, marked by black wing shapes with vibrant edges, curves, and dots, showcases bold red, blue, green, and orange hues paying homage to participating nations. Additionally, illustrations of tournament stadiums and host cities’ names adorn the surface, creating a visually striking celebration of the tournament’s vibrancy.
FUSSBALLLIEBE incorporates ‘Connected Ball Technology’ for the first time in the history of the UEFA Euro tournament. According to Adidas, this technology sends precise ball data to video match officials in real time, contributing to UEFA’s semi-automated offside technology for faster in-match decisions.
Sam Handy, Adidas VP Product and Design, expressed inspiration drawn from the tournament’s energy and diversity, stating, “When designing this Official Match Ball, we were inspired by the energy and diversity of the tournament and the love that Europe has for football. With that in mind, we hope FUSSBALLLIEBE will bring joy wherever it’s kicked.”
The ball’s engineering features a ‘PRECISIONSHELL’ 20-piece panel shape with deboss grooves, meticulously designed for optimal airflow control. The CTR-CORE within the ball ensures accuracy and consistency, supporting fast, precise play with maximum shape and air retention.
FUSSBALLLIEBE not only triumphs in technology but also aligns with sustainability goals. It is crafted from more bio-based substances than any previous Adidas Official Match Ball, incorporating recycled polyester, water-based ink, corn fibers, sugar cane, wood pulp, and rubber. Each layer is adjusted to maintain performance while reducing environmental impact.
Starting November 16, Adidas will embark on a roadshow across the nine UEFA EURO 2024 host cities, spreading joy with pop-up pitches and ball giveaways. Priced at €150 ($163), the ball will be available for purchase in Adidas retail stores, selected retailers, and online at adidas.com. As part of Adidas’ commitment to social responsibility, 1% of net sales from the ball will be contributed to Common Goal, supporting initiatives for under-served communities.
