Last but not least is the newest release for 2024/25, the final Premier League ball before PUMA takes over. For their final season and to celebrate a successful 25 years, Nike brought back the legendary Flight design which has been used for the last 4 years. Instead of the large golden X’s and vintage text used last season, the new update of the Flight ball features a yellow and purple graphic on the furrowed casing, which is designed to improve aerodynamic stability. As you can see in the photo, they’ve released three design variations this season which are remakes of iconic PL balls, including the Geo Merlin, Ordem 3, and Seitiro. Chelsea fans will especially love the nod to the early 2000s when this ball saw the club win their first ever Premier League title. Honed over eight years and 1,700 hours of testing, the Nike Flight ball is a revolution in consistent flight. The revolution in aerodynamics results in 30% truer flight compared to Nike's previous Merlin ball. While 4 fused panels create a larger sweet spot on the ball for powerful strikes. Legendary players, like Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo, Cesc Fabregas and Wayne Rooney, all scored some monumental goals with this ball. A worthy final soccer ball to the farewell season with Nike!

5. Nike Flight - 30th Anniversary (2022/23)

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Premier League, Nike went retro with the design, bringing back bold 90’s style graphics and a classic font to pay tribute to the early days of the league. Oversized 'X' graphics dominate the white base to increase visibility on the pitch. A closer inspection also reveals the Premier League's crown symbol, repeated multiple times with the number 30. Performance-wise, the Flight ball continued Nike’s streak of world class technology, featuring AerowSculpt technology for truer flight and ACC for consistent touch. It was used during the highest scoring season of Premier League history as 1,084 goals were scored with it and was made famous by the one and only, Erling Haaland! This ball was a great ode to the start of what is now regarded as the best league in the world, earning its rightful place on this list.

4. Nike Maxim (2012/13)

For many, the Nike Maxim is widely overlooked as far as Premier League soccer balls go. However, this ball took the world by storm at the time of its release, which is why we feel it deserves a spot on this list. It had two appearances, one being the traditional version, and the other being the winter hi-vis option. The features were very similar to the Incyte a year later, but the Premier League labelled it as the 'world's best football' because it continued with the newly founded RaDaR graphic signalling. The technique used 'fractualated' glass layers on top of one another to give a unique color pop and visual appearance. The hi-vis option was known to stand out from the crowd, even during a dark winter night. The ball felt fast, sharp, and totally in tune with the pace of the game. It was also the season Manchester United won their title under Sir Alex Ferguson, making it an unforgettable release!

3. Nike Geo Merlin Vapor (2002/03)

If you grew up in the early 2000s, the next ball on our list at #3 needs no introduction! The Nike Geo Merlin Vapor became a symbol of Premier League greatness and is beloved around the world today. The sleek pattern was slightly more daring than earlier models with the funky lines, and it didn’t need bold colour to stand out on the pitch. Whenever fans think of this ball, they often remember Theirry Henry during this era when he was at the top of his game. In fact, many believe that this ball is a representation of his legacy. The 2002/03 season was again dominated by Manchester United, who finished top on 83 points, in front of Arsenal who came second on 78 points. Almost two decades later, the Geo Merlin Vapor is still one of the most appreciated and recognizable soccer balls, giving us all a nostalgic feel from one of the greatest times in the history of the sport!

2. Nike Total 90 Aerow I (2004/05)

In second place is a soccer ball that will go down in history as legendary! The Nike Total 90 Aerow I is remembered not just for its iconic and bold blue ring design, but also for its game changing technological advances for the time. The ball is ranked as the best Premier League ball of all time and was designed to be more visible and stable in flight with a new flash casing micro-texture. It had two versions, one in white for the bright days and one in yellow for the snowy winter nights. It was tested for over 100 hours in the lab and deemed to be the most accurate ball ever made, at the time, as an unconventional design helped players see the ball better. The Total 90 Aerow I became a staple of the Premier League and was the ball used during Chelsea’s dominance under Mourinho, when they won the division on 95 points. Andy Johnson also scored 21 league goals with it for Crystal Palace. There’s no question that this ball will be remembered for years to come!

1. Mitre Ultimax (1995/2000)

Finally, in first place is a soccer ball that takes us back to where it all began! The Mitre Ultimax is the iconic ball of the late 90s, a time when soccer was just starting to take the world by storm and felt more unpredictable than ever. As you can see above, it didn’t have any of the flashy technology we see in modern designs, but it did what it was made to do; score legendary goals. It was used from 1995 to 2000, acting as a symbol for one of the most entertaining eras in sports history when Manchester City was suffering in the lower divisions. Its reliability made it well-loved among players, and it flew in the air better than any other ball did at the time. It typically reached speeds of over 100mph, frightening even the best defenders in the league. The ball was the star of Premier League iconic moments and was part of the golden era that witnessed legends like Alan Shearer and Robbie Fowler rising up in their careers. There’s no question about why this ball deserves the top spot among the rest, not only for the nostalgia but for the revolution of its time!

Let us know if you agree with our top 6 picks in the comments! Whether you have a deep appreciation for the days of Mitre Ultimax, or you prefer the modern advances that newer soccer balls bring to the table, there’s always one soccer ball that will live in our memories. Check out our wide selection of soccer balls from top clubs like Manchester City and Real Madrid at SoccerCards.ca!