Derbystar and the German Football Association (DFB) have officially presented the new official match balls for both the men's and women's DFB-Pokal competitions for the 2025-2026 season. The unveiling took place during the 2025 'Cup Handover' event in Berlin.
Derbystar replaces Adidas as the official supplier of the German Cup. Adidas did not take the German Cup seriously - they never released a bespoke ball. Adidas, however, will replace Derbystar as Bundesliga ball maker for the 2026-27 season.
No More Derbystar: Adidas Returns as Bundesliga Ball Supplier
Derbystar 25-25 DFB-Pokal Football
The new Derbystar 25-26 DFB Pokal balls are based on Derbystar's top 'Brillant APS' model. They mark a return to the traditional black and white aesthetic commonly associated with classic footballs. However, this timeless look is updated with dynamic colors and design elements inspired by the DFB Cup's brand identity.
A key design feature involves the pentagonal panels being graphically connected, "symbolizing the challenging path teams undertake through the competition towards the final." This journey culminates visually with graphics of the iconic DFB-Pokal trophies integrated into the ball's design.
While sharing this core concept to emphasize a unified identity, the men's and women's competition balls are visually distinct through different color schemes and the integration of their respective competition logos.
DFB-Pokal 25-26 Balls - Key Features
- Brand: Derbystar
- Model: Brillant APS (Top match ball)
- Competitions: Men's & Women's DFB-Pokal 2025-2026
- Design: Classic black & white base, dynamic color accents, connected pentagons, integrated trophy graphics.
- Construction: Traditional 32-panel cut for optimal roundness.
Interestingly, the new design concept will debut early. A special version of the ball, featuring the final logo and the crests of finalists Arminia Bielefeld and VfB Stuttgart, will be used in the Men's DFB-Pokal Final on May 24, 2025.
The official 2025-2026 season match balls, along with various replica models (including kids' versions and mini balls), will be available for purchase from August 1, 2025, via specialist retailers and the Derbystar online shop.
What do you think of the new Derbystar DFB-Pokal 25-26 match balls? Let us know in the comments below.