The NI Football League (NIFL) has unveiled The Emerald Ball, a striking new official match ball created in collaboration with German sportswear brand uhlsport GmbH, to be used across the 2025/2026 season in celebration of the league’s 135th anniversary.
More than just a technical upgrade, The Emerald Ball is designed as a tribute to the league’s proud heritage, blending tradition with innovation. Featuring a design inspired by the historic Irish League crest and a shamrock motif symbolising unity and identity, the ball honours generations of players, fans and clubs that have shaped the story of Northern Irish football since its inception in 1890.
Crafted using uhlsport’s cutting-edge ADDGLUE technology, the ball boasts advanced performance features including minimal water absorption, high air retention, and a textured polyurethane surface with foam backing for enhanced control. Its 24-panel construction ensures perfect roundness and has earned it FIFA Quality Pro certification.
uhlsport has been the official match ball partner of the NI Football League since 2016, making it the longest-running commercial partnership in professional football in Northern Ireland. Over nearly a decade, the German brand’s balls have been present at every goal, title win and key moment in the league’s modern evolution.
NIFL Chief Executive Gerard Lawlor said the ball encapsulates more than just the sport itself. “This ball isn’t just about the matches it will be used in; it’s about the people, places, and memories that make up 135 years of football in Northern Ireland. Every kick of this ball is a celebration of our past and a step toward our future.”
Melanie Steinhilber, Director of Market Management at uhlsport GmbH and a member of the company’s executive board, added: “The shamrock pattern is a proud symbol of heritage and unity, and by incorporating it into a dynamic and high-performance design, we connect tradition with the future of the game.”
The Emerald Ball will make its competitive debut on the European stage in UEFA Club Competition qualifiers involving NIFL teams and will be used exclusively in all domestic NIFL competitions during the 2025/2026 men’s season and the 2026 women’s season.
