Gold standard

The NI Football League have today revealed the new official matchball for the 2026/27 season.

‘Forged In Gold’, created in partnership with uhlsport GmbH, will be officially introduced in all NIFL competitions throughout the upcoming campaign.

Since 2016, uhlsport has served as the official matchball partner of the NI Football League, making it the longest-standing commercial partner in professional football in Northern Ireland. Throughout this period, the brand has been behind every goal and big moment in the remarkable growth story of the League.

Crafted by uhlsport GmbH, the innovative ADDGLUE technology ensures the new ball has optimal playing characteristics and high durability, characterised by extremely low water absorption and the special high air retention bladder inside minimises air loss.

The textured polyurethane surface with an additional foam layer ensures optimal ball control, while the 24-panel construction ensures perfect roundness and makes the ball FIFA-QUALITY PRO certified.

NI Football League Chief Operating Officer Steven Mills said: “The new ‘Forged In Gold’ matchball is another symbol of the long-standing relationship between NIFL and uhlsport.

“We look forward to seeing the ball in action throughout our Leagues in 2026/27 campaign, which promises to be another hugely exciting season.”

Melanie Steinhilber, Director of Market Management at uhlsport GmbH and member of the executive board, commented: “The new 2026/27 NIFL matchball underlines our strong partnership with the Northern Ireland Football League and our shared commitment to the development of football in Northern Ireland.

“At uhlsport, we are proud to provide a matchball that meets the highest standards of performance, reliability, and quality. It is designed for the demands of the modern game and for the players who bring passion, intensity, and emotion to the pitch every week.”