Adidas Loses Bundesliga Ball Supplier Deal
Apr 24, 2017, by Chris
Derbystar will become the new ball supplier for the first and second German Bundesliga from the 2018-19 season. Derbystar had been represented in the Bundesliga through numerous partnerships with different clubs since the 1970-71 season. In the 1979-80 season, Derbystar balls were used in all 306 matches played in the Bundesliga.
"Our open and trusting talks with the DFL have led to the conclusion that we will not continue our long-term successful cooperation beyond the expiry of the current 2017-18 contract," said Adidas spokesman Oliver Brüggen, As part of our strategy, we will focus even more on cooperation with the leading international clubs and young, emerging players. "
Derbystar Becomes New Bundesliga Ball Supplier From The 2018-19 Season
Derbystar was featured for the last time in the Bundesliga.
The partnership with Derbystar is set to run over four seasons until 2021-22. The announcement was made today by DFL Sports Enterprises (DFL SE) in Frankfurt/Main, Germany. Adidas already lost the ball deal with the French Ligue 1. Uhlsport will make Ligue 1 footballs from the 2017-18 season.
Adidas made the official match balls for the Bundesliga from the 2010-11 season.
"Our new partner Derbystar has long stood for the highest product quality – quality that is acknowledged by clubs and players alike. We also appreciate the international distribution network Derbystar maintains together with Select Sport, its parent company," says Jörg Daubitzer, CEO of DFL SE.
"Our return to the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 underscores the company's strong position in the market and our very positive performance in recent years," says Andreas Filipovic, who is in charge of sales and sponsoring on Derbystar's board. "We have doubled our sales since 2010. Our presence in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 will strengthen the brand," says Joachim Böhmer, the board member at Derbystar responsible for marketing and procurement.
Founded in 1968, Derbystar has specialized in the production of hand-stitched sports balls and was among the first manufacturers to use synthetic materials for this purpose. In 1991 Derbystar Sportartikel GmbH became part of Select Sport A/S (Select), a Danish sports ball specialist that has been an industry benchmark since 1947.
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Nick Woltemade Spotted in Camouflaged Adidas F50 Boots Disguised as Predator 26
German forward Nick Woltemade has once again caught the attention of boot spotters following his loan switch to Juventus for the 26-27 season. In training sessions with the Bianconeri, the 24-year-old was seen wearing a bespoke pair of Adidas boots featuring a clever optical illusion: a laceless Adidas F50 speed boot disguised as a Predator 26. Big thanks to sr4u.
At first glance, the footwear mimics the visual language of the Predator silo, complete with simulated rubber strike elements and bold graphic patterning. A closer look, however, immediately reveals the telltale silhouette of the laceless F50. The boots feature the aerodynamic shape, seamless upper, and lightweight sole plate of the speed boot, with the Predator rubber fins merely printed onto the smooth synthetic shell rather than physically present.
This is not the first time Woltemade has turned heads with this specific setup. He was previously spotted in similar disguised F50 boots while on international duty with Germany earlier this year. Custom camouflage of this variety typically occurs when a player relies on the lightweight build and locked-in feel of a speed silo while marketing alignment or personal styling favors the identity of another line.
CA Peñarol 2026 135th Anniversary Kit Released - Honoring CURCC Roots
Puma and Uruguayan giants Club Atlético Peñarol have officially unveiled a special commemorative kit celebrating the club's 135th anniversary. Founded on September 28, 1891, as the Central Uruguay Railway Cricket Club (CURCC), Peñarol traditionally honors its rich history each September with a bespoke commemorative release.
The Peñarol 2026 135th anniversary shirt takes direct inspiration from the early uniforms worn during the team's formative years. It features a distinctive half-and-half layout, combining a solid black left side with thin yellow and black vertical stripes running down the right. The long sleeves mirror the split design of the body, complemented by a classic black polo collar detailed with subtle yellow trim.
Completing the heritage aesthetic, a retro CURCC shield encircled by golden laurel branches replaces the club's contemporary badge on the chest. The reverse side features vintage stitched-effect white numbering and the historic Decano inscription above the player name, while all sponsor logos appear in gold.
Sporting Cristal 26-27 Special Kit Released
Puma and Peruvian powerhouse Sporting Cristal have officially launched a special retro kit for the 26-27 season. The limited-edition release pays homage to one of the most celebrated eras in the club's history, faithfully reviving their iconic look from the early 1970s.
The Puma Sporting Cristal 26-27 special jersey comes in a rich royal blue base, contrasted by clean white trim along the crew-neck collar and sleeve cuffs. Presented in an authentic long-sleeve cut, the shirt prominently features the club's vintage crest on the left chest, complete with the Peruvian flag motif across the top. With a subtle Puma cat logo and the total absence of front-of-shirt sponsors, the kit maintains an ultra-clean, collector-focused aesthetic reminiscent of the 1970 and 1972 title-winning teams.
The new special shirt joins Sporting Cristal's 2026 wardrobe alongside the previously launched home kit and vibrant geometric third strip, offering fans a timeless piece of club heritage.
FC Tokyo 26-27 Third Kit Released
J1 League club FC Tokyo has officially revealed its new 26-27 third kit produced by New Balance. Following the club's full collection unveiled earlier in the summer, the new third uniform builds on the overarching dawn theme with a distinct design concept titled "THE BORDERLESS BALANCE".
The New Balance FC Tokyo 26-27 third shirt combines New Balance's signature gray tone with deep navy to capture the transition from night to dawn over the capital. Subtle red gradient streaks emerge along the shoulders and bottom hem, adding a dynamic accent to the dark base. All sponsor logos and the FC Tokyo crest are applied in clean monochrome white, creating a sleek lifestyle-friendly look.
FC Tokyo will debut the 26-27 third kit in J1 League action in February 2027 against V-Varen Nagasaki and JEF United Chiba.
No More Hummel: Stimulus Puerto Rico 2026 Home & Away Kits Released
The Puerto Rican Football Federation (FPF) has officially launched its new home and away kits for the 26-27 cycle, marking the beginning of a technical partnership with American sportswear brand Stimulus Athletic. The Minneapolis-based custom kit maker takes over the apparel duties for El Huracán Azul, officially replacing previous supplier Hummel.
The new home shirt boasts a bold geometric pattern in deep blue and black shades, inspired by the historic cobblestones of Old San Juan alongside the luminous glow of Puerto Rico's world-famous bioluminescent bays. The striking mosaic extends across the entire front and sleeves, complemented by subtle teal accents along the collar and cuff trims. Black shorts and blue socks complete the primary uniform.
In contrast, the away jersey provides a crisp white design adorned with details drawn directly from the national flag. It features dynamic red striping down the flanks that fades into a digital gradient towards the hem, flanked by cyan and red accents on the collar and sleeve cuffs. Both shirts are available for $80 through the official FPF online store, alongside dedicated goalkeeper versions.
Official 26-27 TV Scoreboard Of Top European Competitions
Following the start of the 26-27 season, we have had a complete view over every official TV scoreboard of the biggest European competitions. Though there are mostly no changes, we can see how many of the top leagues are adapting the current trend of minimalistic designs.
Join us to take a look at current scoreboard graphics from Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League. Huge thanks to our partner @whatthekit_x for amazing compilation.
