Soccer Balls Guide

Elements of Soccer balls and materials used during their production

Surface or cover (synthetic leather)
Internal Linings (Polyester or Cotton)
Bladder (Latex or Butyl)

The surface of soccer balls or coverings is made up of synthetic leather. There are many variations of leather used in the construction of soccer balls. They range from AI-2000, Japanese Cordley, Korean Ducksung, PU, and Polyvinyl Chloride(PVC). Best soccer balls used in competition and by professionals are produced by using AI-2000, Cordley, Ducksung, or PU synthetic leather. Promotional soccer balls or practice balls are usually constructed with Polyvinyl Chloride(PVC).

Material thickness plays a vital part in the quality of hand-sewn soccer balls. Multiple layers of lining are placed between the cover and the bladder. These layers are composed of polyester or cotton. Professional soccer balls usually have four layers of lining. Promotional or practice balls are often constructed with fewer layers of lining. Traditional soccer balls are made from 32 panels (20 hexagons and 13 pentagons). There are different variations of balls available in the market which are made from 18 and 26 panels.

Picture of a 32-panel traditional soccer ball	Picture of 6-panel mini soccer ball

The bladder in a soccer ball holds the air. Compared to latex bladders, butyl bladders retain air for longer periods of time. Arguably the latex bladders provide better surface tension. Please note that all promotional and club-level balls are fitted with a latex bladder. There is an additional thirty-cent ($0.30) charge per ball if you choose to have the butyl bladder in customized balls.

Soccer balls come in the following official sizes.

Size 5 Ages 12 and up
Size 4 Ages 8 and 12 years
Size 3 Under 8 years
Size 2 and 1 Promotional soccer balls

FIFA requirements for official size soccer balls are as follows.

The ball should be:
• spherical
• made of leather or other suitable material
• of a circumference of not more than 70 cm (28 ins) and not less than 68 cm (27 ins)
• not more than 450 g (16 oz) and not less than 410 g (14 oz) in weight at the start of the match
• of a pressure equal to 0.6 – 1.1 atmosphere (600 – 1,100 g/cm2) at sea level (8.5 lbs/sq in – 15.6 lbs/sq in)

Visit our online store to view the soccer balls we carry in our stock. Any of the balls displayed can be customized with your logo or design.