February 20 – The Canadian Premier League has extended its deal with long-term partner Derbystar, marking the extension agreement with the launch of the official 2024/25 CPL match ball ahead of the competition’s start in April.
The deal means that Canada’s top flight will retain the brand as the league’s official matchday and training ball provider through the 2025 season.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with DERBYSTAR Canada for another two seasons,” said Glen Johnson, executive vice president, Canadian Premier League and Canadian Soccer Business.
“From the technology behind the ball to the quality of the product to the innovative design, it is clear why Derbystar is a leader in the industry.”
Derbystar released the match ball design for the 2024/25 seasons which is a patriotic nod to the nation’s flag.
“We wanted a ball that was unmistakably Canadian, and I am pleased to say Derbystar Canada delivered on that vision,” said Johnson. “This ball is an ode to the distinctive and ever-evolving soccer identity that we see developing from coast to coast, and this design represents this special Canadian soccer community every time a ball gets kicked over the course of our sixth and seventh seasons.”
The ball manufacturers, who also have the German Bundesliga, say that Canada’s new Brilliant APS (Advanced Performance System) ball, offers all the same innovative technical elements as previous iterations of the CPL’s official match ball, including a textured surface and ‘zero-wing latex bladder’ that encourages a ‘lively bounce’.
“We continue to proudly support the Canadian soccer community and are extremely excited to launch the new CPL Brilliant APS,” said Christina Stalteri, Director of Operations, Derbystar Canada. “The Derbystar brand offers superior quality for players in top-flight European leagues and our partnership brings the innovative products of the highest standards to the Canadian Premier League.”
The CPL season kicks off on April 13 as runaway 2023 league table-toppers Cavalry look to exact revenge on Forge after they snatched the league trophy in the playoff final in October.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734889881labto1734889881ofdlr1734889881owedi1734889881sni@g1734889881niwe.1734889881yrrah1734889881