February 5 – UEFA and Adidas have partnered up to unveil the official match ball for this year’s UEFA Women’s Champions League knockout phase and final in Bilbao, with a design inspired by the final venue’s city architecture.
Similar to the standard UWCL match ball used throughout the group stages, the ball also features a wide range of adidas performance technology including the PRISMA surface texture which Adidas says offers players greater precision.
Last year marked the first dedicated UWCL final match ball ahead of the clash in Eindhoven to finalise a hugely successful season for women’s football. FC Barcelona achieved a remarkable comeback to lift the trophy in June, with many of the players travelling to Australia to win the Women’s World Cup with Spain later that summer.
Despite the COVID pandemic, recent years have tallied increasing attendances at UWCL matches, including the all-time highest attendance in women’s football – set at 91,648 during a UEFA Women’s Champions League match between Barcelona Femení and Wolfsburg at the Camp Nou on 22 April 2022.
The Road to Bilbao continues on February 6 with the knockout phase draw at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.
The knockout phase of the competition begins on March 19 with the final taking place at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao on May 25.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734931137labto1734931137ofdlr1734931137owedi1734931137sni@g1734931137niwe.1734931137yrrah1734931137