What is a Soccer Ball Made Of?

If you are planning on investing in a new soccer ball it is important to know what materials they are made of because different materials affect the ball’s durability, performance, and feel on the field. The soccer ball is the most important piece of soccer gear and equipment and you want to make sure you are playing with the right ball based on the playing surface and age of the players.

How soccer balls are made and the materials used will be slightly different from brand to brand and model to model, but in general they are all made almost exactly the same. In this blog, I will explain everything you need to know about what a soccer ball is made of.

What is a Soccer Ball Made of?

A soccer ball has five main parts:

• The outer casing
• The inner linings
• The bladder
• The stitching
• The valve

Outer Casing

The outer casing, also known as the outer cover or the outermost part of a soccer ball, plays a huge role in its performance and durability and most soccer balls are made from either polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) materials. These two types of outer covers provide the necessary protection and shape retention for soccer balls used in different variations of the beautiful game, from professional matches to recreational pickup games, futsal, or beach soccer.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane (PU) is the higher end option for soccer ball outer casings and it offers excellent durability, resistance to wear and tear, as well as a synthetic leather feel. PU is the preferred choice for high-quality soccer balls used in the best leagues and competitions in the world such as the FIFA World Cup and Champions League.

Polyvinyl chloride

On the other hand, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) covers are commonly found in balls designed for indoor soccer or as well as cheaper soccer balls, and although this material is not as high-quality as PU, it can still be a great option.

Inner Lining

The inner lining of soccer balls is positioned between the bladder and outer cover. Most soccer ball inner linings are made mostly from cotton and polyester.

In professional soccer balls, like FIFA World Cup balls, the inner lining is made of multiple layers, usually around four, of polyester and cotton while lower quality soccer balls will usually only have two layers.

Cotton provides softness that can enhance ball control and touch, while polyester improves durability and responsiveness. This combination results in a soccer ball that meets the rigorous demands of high level games

Bladder

The bladder of a soccer ball is the container for air and it is crucial for maintaining the ball’s proper shape, bounce, and air pressure. Butyl is the most common bladder material due to its durability and air retention characteristics.

However, butyl’s disadvantage is that it can become easily deformed when kicked too much, which is why most practice balls, or cheaper balls, will be made of Butyl. Latex bladders are of higher quality and it is the preferred material at the highest levels of the game, but they require frequent inflation as they tend to lose air faster than butyl bladders.

For indoor soccer and futsal, where you need balls that are not too bouncy, foam-filled bladders are used instead of traditional air-filled bladders made from butyl or latex.

The Stitching

The stitching of a soccer ball refers to the panels that hold the ball together. Professional-grade soccer balls will usually have stitches made from polyester, a durable and non-absorbent material.

However, sometimes Kevlar thread may be used for added durability and water resistance, which can enhance the ball’s longevity and performance. Another popular alternative stitching method, known as thermal heating, has also become very popular and it involves using heat to bond the panels of the ball together.

Valve

The valve of a soccer ball serves as the entry point for inflating or deflating the soccer ball. The valves of most soccer balls are made from butyl, a rubber material known for its elasticity and durability, that allows the valve to easily open when the air pump needle is inserted.

Also, butyl’s elastic properties allow the valve to seal completely shut once the pump needle is removed, ensuring minimal air loss over time. Although most valves are made from butyl, in recent years, many professional-grade soccer balls have transitioned to silicone valves, which may have better air retention characteristics.

Summary

To summarize, the soccer ball is arguably the most important piece of soccer equipment and it is important to play with the right size soccer ball and with a ball made from the right materials based on the surface you want to play on.

In this blog I answered in great detail what a soccer ball is made of and more specifically we went over the five main parts of a soccer ball, the outer casing, the inner lining, the bladder, the stitching, and the valve.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are modern soccer balls made of?

Soccer balls used to be made from pure leather, however pure leather has poor water resistance and can make the soccer ball really heavy, since it soaks up all the water, when playing in wet weather conditions. As a result, modern soccer balls that are FIFA approved are now made with enhanced water resistance materials such as Polyurethane (PU).

What is the difference between an indoor soccer ball and a traditional soccer ball?

An indoor soccer ball is different from a traditional soccer ball for many reasons. They are typically smaller, heavier, and have less bounce than traditional balls. A lot of indoor soccer balls are also made from the same materials that a tennis ball is made of. Smart soccer balls are also a new type of soccer ball.

What are the most popular soccer ball manufacturers?

There are many different soccer ball manufacturers each with their own manufacturing process and the most common are Mizuno, Nike, Adidas, Puma, Wilson, Select, and Umbro.