Adidas reveal new ‘blue and bold’ Champions League ball for 2018-19

The Champions League ball has gone blue with a new look for the upcoming 2018-19 tournament.

Manufacturers adidas have revealed the ball that will be used for the coming season, and it maintains the instantly recognisable star-shaped panels.

However, rather than the usual black and white look, this year’s ball features large blue panels, with the stars in white. 

Adidas have revealed the ball which will be used for the coming season from the group stage

Rather than the usual black and white look, this year’s ball features large blue panels

Adidas – who have designed the Champions League ball since 2001 – have gone for a new look for their 17th season.

The colouring is the same blue as used in the Champions League logo, while the stars are made with a shinier material than the matte hexagonal panels.

Adidas, who describe the ball as a ‘bold’ new design, claim the material in the panels provides ‘a seamless surface for an improved first touch’ for the players.

Last year’s ball, and those before it, have traditionally had darker stars on white panels

The ball is not yet on general sale but fans will eventually be able to recreate their favourite moments from the action later this season.

It has not been used in qualifying for the Champions League, and will instead come in for the group-stage games. 

Real Madrid will be hoping the change of ball does not affect their recent dominance of the competition, having won for the last three tournaments.