With the curtain set to rise on the 2025/26 season, Mitre has dropped a showstopper worthy of Wembley’s iconic stage. Introducing the FA Community Shield Ultimax Pro — a limited-edition football forged in gold and fuelled by the explosive spirit of the season opener.
As Crystal Palace, fresh from FA Cup glory, square up against Premier League champions Liverpool on Sunday 10 August, the eyes of the football world will also fall on the newly decorated official match ball, designed to make its debut under the arch. Crafted by British football mainstay Mitre, the Ultimax Pro gets the special treatment for this year’s Community Shield, arriving adorned in bold gold detailing that echoes the fanfare, fireworks and confetti of a new campaign. Visually striking, it’s a ball built to celebrate not just the game, but the moments that define it.
But this isn’t just about looks. Under the surface, the Ultimax Pro comes loaded with Mitre’s signature tech. A four-panel thermally bonded construction ensures elite-level durability and perfect shape retention, while eradicating water absorption — ideal for the unpredictable British summer. Hyperflow debossed grooves elevate the ball’s flight consistency, giving players sharp accuracy and dependable control at full tilt. Inside, the Hyperfoam mid-layer delivers a responsive touch and close control, built for the high-intensity edge that only a Wembley final can bring.
Simon Rowe, SVP of Mitre and Global Sports Marketing at Pentland Brands, called it the perfect way to kick off the season: “This ball is packed with the innovative technology players have come to expect from the Ultimax Pro, and the new bespoke design is a brilliant celebration of all the things we love about the start of a new season. The hope, anticipation and excitement that we feel as both fans and players too.”
James Gray, The FA’s Commercial Director, echoed the sentiment: “The new Ultimax Pro fittingly captures the feeling around The FA Community Shield. Mitre continues to deliver bespoke and innovative designs and technologies for our competitions.”
Mitre’s legacy with English football is storied, and the Ultimax Pro is a fitting chapter in that history — a ball built not just to play, but to announce a new era. When the first whistle blows at Wembley on August 10, it won’t just be about the clash between Palace and Liverpool. It’ll be about the first touch, the perfect pass, and a ball designed to steal the spotlight.
Let the new season begin — and let it begin in gold.
Shop the ball online from 1 August at prodirectsport.com/soccer
