Mitre has unveiled the ball for the FA Cup and launched a nationwide soccer pairs competitors
The What Do You Call It? competition, hosted by Tom Garrattand Olivia Buzaglo, will see teams of two compete to be crowned the nation’s top pairing in the men’s and women’s game, with regional rounds culminating in a Grand Final.
Footie brand Mitre has unveiled the Official Match Ball for the 2026/27 Emirates FA Cup and to celebrate they have launched a nationwide “school playground game” pairs competition.
Footie brand Mitre has unveiled the Official Match Ball for the 2026/27 Emirates FA Cup and to celebrate they have launched a nationwide “school playground game” pairs competition.
Hosted by football personalities Tom Garratt and Olivia Buzaglo, the series will see teams of two compete to be crowned the nation’s top pairing in the men’s and women’s game, with regional rounds culminating in a Grand Final.
The What Do You Call It? comp harks back to people’s childhoods and the classic break time and after school game known by many different names, including FA Cup Doubles, Wembley, Knockouts, three and in and various other titles.
Alex Roberts, Head of Brand at Mitre, said : “The Emirates FA Cup is an incredibly special competition for the entire football pyramid, and we wanted to create an Official Match Ball that celebrates the remarkable stories it creates. We’re proud to unveil the 2026/27 ball, combining striking design with elite performance technology in a way only Mitre can.
The comp harks back to people’s childhoods and the classic break time and after school game known by many different names, including FA Cup Doubles, Wembley, Knockouts, three and in and various other titles.
“We also wanted to celebrate the competition’s unique connection across every level of the game. That’s why we’re launching What Do You Call It?, inviting people to recreate their own FA Cup final. Whether you call it FA Cup Doubles, Wembley, Knockouts or something else entirely, it captures everything the competition stands for: anyone can have their moment.”
To enter, prospective teammates simply need to submit a video of no longer than 30 seconds, explaining what they call the game in their region, alongside their favourite FA Cup memory. Entries can be submitted via the link HERE
Entrants are also encouraged to show what makes them a great team and why they deserve a place in the tournament. No professional filming or fancy editing is required. Just grab a teammate, pick up your phone and show Mitre what you’ve got.
Hosted by football personalities Tom Garratt and Olivia Buzaglo, the series will see teams of two compete to be crowned the nation’s top pairing in the men’s and women’s game, with regional rounds culminating in a Grand Final.
Throughout the series, teams will have to beat ScouseGK in goal, with Behind the Whistle taking charge of proceedings as the referee.
The players in this season’s FA Cup competitions and those who feature in the content series will have the opportunity to play with the Ultimax Pro. The new Match Ball combines more than 30 years of Mitre Ultimax innovation with cutting-edge performance technology, engineered for the demands of elite football.
For the 2026/27 season, Mitre has created two distinctive Ultimax Pro match balls for the Emirates FA Cup and Women’s FA Cup, with each design celebrating the history and unique identity of its respective competition.
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The Emirates FA Cup Official Match Ball features a striking white, red and black colourway, with flowing red graphics representing each club’s journey through the competition. These paths converge into the iconic silver FA Cup ribbon, symbolising the shared ambition of reaching Wembley and lifting one of football’s most prestigious trophies.
Meanwhile, the Women’s FA Cup Official Match Ball features a vibrant combination of Vibe Lime, purple and black, reflecting the energy and continued growth of the women’s game. Premium metallic detailing across Mitre’s signature Delta chevrons takes inspiration from the Women’s FA Cup trophy, celebrating the competition’s rich history and the next generation of players looking to make their mark.
Beyond their distinctive designs, both match balls share the same elite Ultimax Pro performance technology, combining more than 30 years of innovation with a new six-panel construction engineered for superior flight and durability.
The Women’s FA Cup Official Match Ball features a vibrant combination of Vibe Lime, purple and black, reflecting the energy and continued growth of the women’s game.
Built for maximum power, the balls feature a 20% increase in Hyperfoam cushioning compared with the previous Ultimax Pro, delivering a responsive touch and cleaner strikes. An enhanced Hyperflow groove design also reduces in-flight drag by 10%, based on virtual simulations conducted at 50kph and 100kph, helping improve flight stability and accuracy.
Hyperseal thermally bonded seams ensure almost zero water absorption and consistent shape retention, delivering reliable performance in all conditions.
