As the magic of the cup returns with the First Round Proper of both the Emirates FA Cup and Adobe Women’s FA Cup, British football brand Mitre drops the official 2025/26 match balls — and they’re as much about artistry as they are about innovation.
Built on the legend of the Ultimax Pro, Mitre’s latest rework of the elite-level match ball for the Emirates FA Cup and Adobe Women's FA Cup introduces next-gen aerodynamics, heightened touch sensitivity, and a refined visual design that tells the story of both competitions in its own unique way. This is precision meeting poetry — performance with purpose.
Drawing on the intricate, William Morris–style floral engravings that decorate the famous trophy, the new Emirates FA Cup Ultimax Pro carries those motifs across its panels in elegant, hand-drawn form. The base palette of deep blue is elevated with refined silver detailing, anchored by custom red Delta chevrons — a nod to the competition’s unmistakable branding. There's also the winter version of the ball, which arrives in a bright and bold orange base.
It’s tradition reinterpreted through design — elegant, crafted, and steeped in the artistry that defines the world’s most historic knockout competition.
If the men’s ball speaks to heritage, the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Ultimax Pro screams evolution. For the first time, Mitre has introduced a fluorescent base — a visual jolt of ‘Vibe Lime’ that captures the fearless creativity and unstoppable energy driving the women’s game.
Every panel pulses with colour and intent, reflecting a competition that refuses to stand still. The result? A ball that doesn’t just perform under the spotlight — it creates it.
Beneath the surface, both versions of the Ultimax Pro are engineered for modern football. Enhanced flight stability, responsive touch, and Mitre’s signature panel technology combine to deliver elite-level precision — all while celebrating the stories and spirit of the cups they represent.
Simon Rowe, Senior Vice President of Mitre & Global Sports Marketing at Pentland Brands, summed it up: “Every detail of the new designs has been crafted for precision, performance and to encapsulate the spirit and joy of the game. We’re proud of our partnership with The FA, and once again this season are bringing innovation to one of football’s most iconic competitions.”
Mitre’s 2025/26 FA Cup collection does what all great football design should: connect past, present, and future through form and function.
From the silver-etched elegance of the men’s ball to the bold vibrancy of the women’s, the new Ultimax Pro range embodies everything these competitions stand for — history, energy, and the relentless pursuit of the next iconic moment.
Shop Mitre footballs at prodirectsport.com/soccer
