Nike and the Premier League have announced a six-year extension to their existing partnership, until at least 2025.

The extension of the deal, which began back in 2000, cements one of Nike’s longest partnerships in football, ensuring continued innovation on and off the pitch.

The past 18 years have seen the development of significant innovations in the world’s most popular league, including the official Premier League ball. The current ball is the 15th iteration and 2018/19 is the 19th Premier League season for which Nike has designed the technology.

Starting with the Nike Geo Merlin in 2000/01 through to the Premier League Merlin for 2018/19, Nike brings performance innovation to the pitch, season after season. From increased visibility to decreased paneling, the evolution of ball technology has had a major impact on the game.

“Nike’s two decades of partnership with the Premier League continues our commitment to innovation on the field and supporting players from the grassroots to elite levels of the game. We are excited to extend our partnership and inspire more men and women to play the game,” says Martin Buckley, VP/GM Nike Global Football.

Richard Scudamore, Executive Chairman of the Premier League, adds: “Nike is an excellent partner for the Premier League and, through its track-record of innovation, has done a great job providing high quality match-balls for the competition for nearly 20 years. We are very pleased our partnership has extended until the end of season 2024/25. Our work together extends beyond the match-ball and includes Nike’s excellent support for the Premier League Kit Scheme that benefits schools across England and Wales.”

Importantly, the partnership will also continue to serve the next generation of athletes. Nike works closely with the Premier League to support a range of initiatives, including local community projects and the Premier League Players’ Kit Scheme. The scheme, which has been running since 2011, encourages young people to get active by providing schools and clubs with full playing kits.