The Premier League’s winter ball will get its first outing this Friday October 25, with the debut of the 2024/25 Nike Flight Hi-Vis ball when Leicester City host Nottingham Forest.
But what are the reasons for the Premier League winter ball and what are its origins?
When was the first Nike winter ball introduced?
The first Nike Premier League winter ball was introduced in the 2004/05 season with a hi-vis yellow version of the Total 90 Aerow I introduced.
This inaugural ball was used for two seasons before being succeeded by a new model, the Total 90 Aerow II, in 2006. This showed greater differentiation from the main ball through the use of two separate colours – yellow and purple.
From 2008/09 onwards, a new winter ball was introduced each season, along the same lines as the main ball. In total, there have been 19 hi-vis balls for the Premier League produced by Nike.
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Why is there a Nike winter ball?
The introduction of the winter ball comes with the switch from British Summer Time (BST) to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), with the clocks going back an hour. This year, the clocks will go back on Sunday 27 October at 02:00.
The return of GMT means that as the daylight time reduces with the seasons, the days end earlier. By the winter equinox of 21 December, the sun will be setting at about 16:00 GMT, meaning that the majority of Premier League matches will be taking place under floodlights.
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Over the years, the technicians at Nike have done extensive testing, in theory and in practice, to use yellow and the accompanying colours in a design that optimises the visibility of the winter ball so that players can track it faster and react to its movement quicker than ever.
This enhancement not only benefits those on the pitch but also elevates the experience for fans in the stadium and those watching from home. Not only in dark and wet weather but when it snows as well.
This innovation aims to ensure that matches can be played effectively and safely, even in less than ideal conditions, maintaining the quality and excitement of Premier League football throughout the winter season.
How long will we see the winter ball for?
The Hi-Vis balls are traditionally in play until early spring. In the early years, the main white ball returned but from 2019/20, it was replaced for the first time by the Nike third ball, which is used for the remainder of the campaign until the denouement when the champions, the European places and relegation spots are confirmed.
Where can I buy the latest ball?
Buy the new Nike Flight Hi-Vis ball here
Where can I get more information on the history of the Nike Premier League ball?
You can visit our Nike Ball Hub to see all the different designs and how the technology has evolved since 2000.