The Premier League has made the decision to conclude its 25-year partnership with Nike and enter into a new agreement with Puma as its official match ball supplier.
Currently, the Premier League's contract with US manufacturer Nike is set to expire in 2025. Despite the opportunity to extend the long-standing partnership, negotiations between the two parties failed to result in an agreement.
In turn, the Premier League has now secured a deal with German company Puma to provide match balls for all fixtures starting from the 2025-26 season.
Puma is already the official match ball supplier for Serie A, La Liga, and the English Football League, employing their Orbita ball in those competitions.
Nike's association with the Premier League began in 2000, with the Nike Geo Merlin introduced as the league's inaugural official ball during the 2000/01 season. Over the years, match ball technology has evolved, with the Nike Flight, hailed as a "revolution in aerodynamics," being used in the previous season.
The new version of the Nike Flight will make its debut in the upcoming 2023-24 Premier League season, commencing on Friday, August 11, with a match between Burnley and Manchester City.
Throughout the partnership, Nike has supplied kit and equipment for various Premier League initiatives, including youth development programs, international events, and the schools scheme known as Premier League Primary Stars.
As the Premier League embarks on this new chapter with Puma, it is a moment of transition and anticipation. Football enthusiasts around the world will eagerly await the debut of the Puma match ball in the 2025-26 season, as the league embraces the opportunities that lie ahead.
In the ever-evolving world of football, partnerships like these shape the future of the game. The Premier League’s decision to switch from Nike to Puma demonstrates their commitment to staying at the forefront of football innovation and providing an exceptional experience for players and fans alike.
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