Equipment manufacturer Mitre is bringing back a classic look for the match ball to be used in Emirates FA Cup matches starting across England and Wales this weekend.
Mitre unveiled the new Ultimax Pro model on Monday, October 31. The white base is covered with 16 “delta chevrons, each one creatively capturing the essence of some of Mitre’s most celebrated and recognisable footballs from the last 30 years.”
The ball itself is built using four thermally bonded panels “for unbeatable shape retention and durability.” It also features Hyperflow debossed grooves “for incredible flight consistency across all speeds” and is engineered with Hyperfoam, “a cushioned, high elastic foam, for maximum power when you strike.”
Mitre became the official ball supplier for FA competitions — including the FA Cup, the Women’s FA Cup, the Community Shield, the FA Trophy and the FA Vase — in 2018. The contract between the two sides was renewed for another three years in November 2021.
Mitre was also the supplier of match balls for the Premier League from its inception in 1992 until 2000, when Nike took over. Its Pro Max model, used from 1992 to 1995, inspired the graphics on the Nike match ball used in the first three months of the current Premier League season.
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