Mitre FA Cup Match Football 2025 Review
The Mitre FA Cup Match Football 2025 has made quite an impact on the footballing world, being the official match ball for one of the most revered football tournaments—the FA Cup. For players, coaches, and fans alike, the ball has become synonymous with the competition’s legacy and prestige. The Mitre FA Cup ball is the fabulous Mitre Ultimax Pro ball which has been specifically designed for competitive matches. The 2025 version is a striking blend of tradition and innovation.
However, despite the many strengths, there has been some notable criticism of cup balls, including from top-tier manager Mikel Arteta. However, the arsenal manager has expressed his reservations about the Puma football’s performance on the field, not the Mitre ball. A few years ago Pep Guardiola did criticise the quality of the Mitre FA Cup match ball. Pep and Mikel were/are sponsored by Nike so you could take the criticism with a pinch of salt.
In this review, we will explore five key reasons why the Mitre FA Cup Match Football 2025 is still considered one of the best footballs available. We also look at the materials used in its construction, and delve into Mikel Arteta’s critique.
5 Reasons Why the Mitre FA Cup Match Football 2025 is the Best Match Football
1. Unmatched Durability
Durability is one of the most important aspects of a top-tier match football. Notably, in our opinion, the Mitre FA Cup Match Football 2025 does not disappoint. Constructed with high-quality materials designed to withstand harsh conditions. The Mitre FA Cup Match Football football is engineered to last. The ball holds up exceptionally well to friction and repeated strikes, maintaining its shape and flight characteristics over time. Thanks to the advanced outer materials and stitch construction, it resists scuffing and wear, ensuring a long lifespan even in professional use.
2. Precision in Flight
One of the most significant advances in the 2025 edition of the Mitre FA Cup Match Football is its aerodynamics. Mitre has designed the ball to fly more accurately and consistently. These attributes make it an ideal choice for long passes, aerial duels, and free kicks.
To reduce the drag effect, the surface of the ball has been refined with an advanced panel structure. The reduced drag effect helps stabilizes its flight trajectory. This means that players can expect the ball to behave predictably, giving them confidence when attempting difficult passes or shooting from range. The improved aerodynamics have received praise from some quarters for making the ball more stable during high-speed runs. This in turn gives the player confidence and also provides better control in windy conditions.
3. Enhanced Grip for Control
Another standout feature of the Mitre FA Cup Match Football 2025 is the textured surface that provides improved grip. In both wet and dry conditions, this grip allows players to have better control over the ball, whether they are attempting tricky dribbles, controlling high balls, or executing precise passes. The ball’s grip is a crucial factor, especially for players who rely on fine ball control during tight moments. The synthetic PU (polyurethane) outer layer ensures that the ball feels responsive to the player’s touch without becoming slippery in adverse weather conditions. This design feature significantly elevates the player’s confidence, especially in high-pressure situations.
4. Classic Design with Modern Flair
Mitre has managed to balance the tradition of the FA Cup with modern, bold design elements. The Summer ball features a striking, contemporary color scheme that incorporates vibrant red and silver tones. Whilst the winter edition has a stunning orange and silver design. Its eye-catching graphics not only make it a beautiful ball to look at but also enhance its visibility during play, especially in large, crowded stadiums. The mix of traditional and modern design elements ensures that the ball will continue to be a symbol of the iconic tournament for years to come.
5. Versatility Across Different Competitions
While this ball is clearly designed with the FA Cup in mind, its high level of performance makes it suitable for a wide range of matches. However, given the rrp is around £125 it is probably not suitable for use at to grassroots levels. The ball’s construction ensures it delivers consistent results in different weather conditions and on various types of pitches. This feature is important for the early rounds, especially as some lower tier teams play on astroturf pitches. The versatility of the Mitre FA Cup Match Football 2025 makes it ideal for us in top-tier tournaments. This adaptability is a key reason why it has garnered widespread acclaim among players at all levels of the game.
Materials Used in the Mitre FA Cup Match Football Construction
The Mitre FA Cup Match Football is made with premium materials to ensure it meets the rigorous demands of professional football. The outer casing is crafted from high-quality synthetic polyurethane (PU), a durable yet soft material that offers both superior feel and long-lasting performance. PU is widely recognized for its ability to resist wear and tear while providing excellent grip. The Mitre FA Cup Match Football benefits from these characteristics.
Inside, the ball features a latex bladder, which helps provide excellent bounce and responsiveness. Latex bladders are known for offering consistent performance throughout the duration of the game. The latex bladder also contributes to the ball’s light weight, making it easier to control and handle for players of all skill levels.
Additionally, the ball is machine-stitched for precision and durability. The high-strength stitching ensures that the panels remain intact, even during intense play. This robust stitching method, guarantees that the ball will continue to perform reliably over time.
Sizes Available
The Official Mitre FA Cup Match Football for 2025 is available is only available in size 5. The primary size for adult matches is Size 5, which is the standard for professional and competitive football. Other sizes are available but not with the FIFA Quality Pro accreditation. Mitre have produced some high quality replica balls and they are available in sizes 4 and 5. The image below shows the differnece between the replica and Official match ball
Mikel Arteta’s Critique of the Ball
While the Mitre FA Cup Match Football 2025 has garnered praise from many, not everyone is a fan of having different balls for cup competitions. One of the most notable critiques comes from Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta. Arteta has expressed concerns regards the Puma Carabao Cup ball, particularly when it comes to its “unpredictable bounce.” Arteta believes that the combination of the ball’s lightweight latex bladder and outer casing results in inconsistent behavior, especially during fast-paced play.
Arteta has mentioned, when the ball is struck at an angle or bounces on uneven surfaces, its erratic movement can disrupt the flow of the game. He has highlighted that this unpredictability can sometimes be frustrating for players, especially those who are used to a ball with more consistent flight and bounce. Arteta’s comments highlight the fact that while the ball’s aerodynamics may work well for certain styles of play, it might not suit all players’ preferences. Especially ones that are sponsored by another sports and ball brand.
Manufacturing Information
Mitre has been producing high-quality footballs for over two centuries, with a commitment to excellence and innovation. This experience has made it one of the most respected brands in the world of football. Mitre are UK based and come under the Pentland Group of companies, where they maintain stringent quality control standards to ensure every ball meets the highest expectations of performance. Mitre’s attention to detail in both design and manufacturing processes reflects its deep-rooted legacy in the sport.
Conclusion
The Mitre FA Cup Match Football 2025 is a remarkable product that balances traditional design with cutting-edge technology. Its durability, aerodynamics, grip, and versatility make it an excellent choice for players across all levels of the game, if you have the budget. While Mikel Arteta’s critique highlights certain concerns, the ball’s overall quality and performance still make it one of the top match footballs available today. Whether you’re a professional or an amateur, the Mitre FA Cup Match Football delivers a premium product that continues to set the standard for match balls in the football world.
| Graphics and colour availability | 10/10 |
| Size available – Size 3, 4 and 5 | 10/10 |
| Weight and feel of the Mitre FA Cup Football | 9/10 |
| Affordability (Official Match Ball ONLY) | 7/10 |
| Grip/Control | 9/10 |
| Overall rating of the Mitre FA Cup Football | 9/10 |
What Is The Best Selling Mitre Match Football? We recently reviewed the best selling Mitre Match ball and this review can be found using the link. If you still need more information you might find our Ultimate Football Buying Guide useful.
