17/07/2025
The UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 kicked off in Switzerland on 2nd July and 16 teams are competing across eight host cities throughout the tournament. Whilst conversations remain centred around whether England’s Lionesses can defend their 2022 title, the official match ball has recently caught our attention.
The official match ball for the tournament, called KONEKTIS[1], was revealed in December 2024, developed by Adidas in collaboration with UEFA. The design of the KONEKTIS ball draws inspiration from the Alps and Swiss architecture.
Adidas has a long history of securing intellectual property (IP) rights for its match balls, and KONEKTIS is no exception.
Design features: A Tribute to Switzerland
KONEKTIS reflects its host nation visually. Its jagged-edge block patterns in vibrant colours sit atop a pearlescent background, echoing the mountainous Swiss landscape. Each panel contains bespoke graphics that celebrate the landmarks of host cities, including Basel City Hall and Geneva’s iconic Jet d’Eau.
Match ball registered designs filed by Adidas have typically covered the panel configuration, surface texture and groove pattern, visual design and motifs, and integrated technology housing.
Registered UK Design No. 6307811
Registered UK Design No. 6400272
Several registered designs were filed by Adidas AG in October 2024 for “a ball for sports”, one of which could potentially cover the KONEKTIS ball.
Adidas took advantage of the deferred publication period, which allows a registered design owner to keep their registered design unpublished and therefore secret for a period following the filing date. So, whilst these specific registered design rights are not published, the timings indicate that they may protect the design of the KONEKTIS ball.
Technological features: Smarter Play
KONEKTIS is not just visually striking it is also making history as the first official UEFA Women’s EURO match ball to feature Adidas’s Connected Ball Technology.
Adidas Connected Ball Technology is embedded in KONEKTIS. The technology developed in collaboration with tech partner Kinexon, uses a 500Hz IMU motion sensor suspended inside the ball stabilized within the ball via a suspension system[2].
The sensor is capable of transmitting data to Video Assistant Refereeing (VAR) officials in real-time. The data transmitted will contribute, together with player position data and artificial intelligence, to precise and rapid decision-making throughout the matches. The technology can assist in identifying individual touches of the ball which is particularly effective for making decisions regarding handball offences and offsides other penalties.
Adidas has filed a number of patent applications relating to this system. WO2025026589A1 is an example patent published in February 2025, titled “Sports Ball with suspension system, and apparatus and method for determining the balance of a sports ball”. The patent relates to a suspension system for suspending one or more electronic devices. The system improves the durability of the ball, and reduces the failure of the electronic devices.
KONEKTIS uses a 20-panel PRECISIONSHELL design that features debossed grooves on the ball’s outershell, strategically positioned to optimise ball control and accuracy of play. Within the ball is a CTR-CORE system which consists of two components; a zero-waste bladder containing renewable, natural rubber, and a carcass made from a double patched PES fabric giving the bladder its strength and shape.[3] CTR- CORE is embedded in Adidas match balls to further enhance performance benefits by enabling the ball to maintain shape and air pressure which is critical for predictable ball flight.
Sustainability in Sport
Beyond performance, Adidas is increasingly incorporating sustainability into its designs. Match balls this season, including the UEFA Champions League Pro Ball Munich, use more bio-based materials than ever before. Layers feature sustainable inputs like corn fibre, sugar cane, wood pulp, and rubber—without compromising playability. The KONEKTIS ball continues this trend by including recycled polyester and water-based ink.
A Multi-Layered IP Strategy
The KONEKTIS ball exemplifies how sports equipment can be protected through a robust, multi-faceted IP strategy combining patents, registered designs and trade marks. Its development reflects close collaboration between Adidas’s designers, engineers, and sports scientists.
At Reddie & Grose LLP, we’re passionate about both IP and sport. Whether you’re designing the next generation of sports equipment or developing embedded technologies, our attorneys are on hand to help protect your innovations with tailored IP strategies.
Feel free to get in touch to learn more about protecting designs, patents, and innovations in the world of sport.
This article is for general information only. Its content is not a statement of the law on any subject and does not constitute advice. Please contact Reddie & Grose LLP for advice before taking any action in reliance on it.
[1] UEFA and adidas unveil KONEKTIS – the official match ball for UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 | UEFA Women’s EURO | UEFA.com
[2] A Triad of Excellence: The Team Behind the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 Match Ball – adidas Group
[3] adidas and UEFA unveil new official ball for UEFA Champions League knockout phase | UEFA Champions League 2024/25 | UEFA.com
