The official match ball, Fussballliebe, will be used in all matches of UEFA Euro 2024TM in Germany. The ball’s design is inspired by the joy of football and the energy of the tournament, enhanced with deboss grooves for greater precision in play. This is the first official ball produced for the UEFA European Football ChampionshipTM to incorporate adidas Connected Ball technology, enabling referees to make quicker decisions. The official Fussballliebe ball is available on the adidas website and in select stores from today, November 15th.
Bucharest, November 15, 2023: Today, adidas launches the new official ball for UEFA Euro 2024 TM. Fussballliebe, meaning ‘love for football’, introduces adidas Connected Ball technology to the UEFA European Football ChampionshipTM for the first time.
Fussballliebe is specially designed for greater accuracy in play. Its 20 PRECISIONSHELL segments and strategically placed deboss grooves have been rigorously tested in both the lab and on the field to control its movements with maximum precision. Underneath its outer layer is the CTR-CORE, an innovative performance-enhancing technology, supporting a rapid game pace while maintaining optimal shape and air quantity.
The Fussballliebe design represents the ball’s movement and the game’s energy, with an interplay of black wings accentuated by brightly colored contours, curves, and dots. The use of vibrant red, blue, green, and orange celebrates both the personality that participating nations bring to the competition and the purity of the game, which attracts the love of fans worldwide. The ball also features illustrations of all stadiums and names of all host cities.
For the first time at the UEFA European Football ChampionshipTM, the official match ball will feature adidas Connected Ball technology – transmitting real-time data to referees. The algorithm combines player positioning with AI, contributing to UEFA’s semi-automatic offside technology and becoming a key factor in making quicker decisions during matches. The adidas Connected Ball technology, developed in close collaboration with Kinexon, will detect every touch of the ball, reducing decision time in handball and penalty incidents.
Features of Fussballliebe:
Adidas CONNECTED BALL Technology – a suspension system hosting and stabilizing a 500Hz motion sensor, ensuring unprecedented accuracy of ball movements. The sensor is powered by an inductively rechargeable battery.
CTR-CORE – a core tuned to enhance the precision of fast and efficient gameplay, maintaining the ball’s shape and maximum air quantity. This core is made from recyclable natural rubber, covered by a double layer of solid material to maintain its shape and strength.
PRECISIONSHELL – The ball’s outer layer has micro and macro textures across 20 segments, amplifying its aerodynamics.
SUSTAINABLE PLANT-BASED MATERIALS – In addition to using recycled polyester and water-based ink, Fussballliebe is made from more natural substances than any other adidas official ball. Each layer of the ball includes corn fibers, sugarcane, wood, and natural rubber, without affecting performance.
Sam Handy, VP Product and Design at adidas Football, says, “When we conceived this ball, we were inspired by the Championship’s energy and diversity and Europe’s love for football. With all this in mind, we hope Fussballliebe will bring joy to anyone who plays with it.”
“It’s an exciting moment for us to bring adidas Connected Ball technology to EURO 2024TM, a result of our dedication to innovation, enhancing the experience for referees, players, and fans.”
Zvonimir Boban, UEFA Director, states, “The UEFA European Football Championship represents the pinnacle of national team competition in Europe, and we are determined to ensure that every aspect, from venues to equipment, meets the highest standards of quality and performance. As always, we are confident that adidas’s Fussballliebe will mark a new step forward in our shared commitment to excellence.”
Fussballliebe is officially launched today, November 15, through a special event at Spreebogenpark Berlin, initiating five days of local activities celebrating the love of football, featuring legends and current EURO idols, open matches, and a chance for fans to test the ball.
Starting November 16, adidas will bring the joy of Fussballliebe to all EURO24TM host cities with a tour of events, including giving away free balls. Each city will receive 900 balls to donate to schools, football clubs, and other deserving destinations.
Adidas continues to direct 1% of adidas football sales through Common Goal, supporting disadvantaged communities for a better future through football.
Fussballliebe – the official ball of UEFA EURO 2024TM with adidas Connected Ball technology – will feature in the tournament’s 48 matches starting on June 14.
Fussballliebe is available on the adidas website and in selected stores. The official ball with adidas Connected Ball technology will not be sold or available for purchase.
