Nike will release an all-new Match Ball for the 2018-19 season and beyond, it's called the Nike Merlin. 

The Nike Merlin replaces the Nike Ordem football, set to be used for all major leagues and tournaments sponsored by the Swoosh such as La Liga, the Premier League and Serie A. With all sorts of new technology infused into this ball, it is certainly an eye opener.

For a fun fact, the name of Nike's 2018-19 football directly arises from the classic Nike Geo Merlin football, the Premier League's Official Match Ball between 2000-04. The Geo Merlin was full of new technology back then and Nike are now looking to repeat the trick.

Nike's new football has a brand-new 4-panel configuration to reduce seams while opening up a wider striking surface. Previous Nike footballs had a 12-panel construction. It is Nike's first-ever ball to feature Nike ACC (All Conditions Control) technology.

A new look Premier League football for the 2018-19 season features a mainly white backing, with dark blue and silver applications as well as light blue and yellow graphic elements.

As always, we can expect the world's big leagues who use Nike Match Balls to use the Merlin, with design colours the only difference. Nike has incorporated 3D ink patterns for increased control when striking and passing the ball. 

The Nike Merlin is expected to be priced around $200 AUD. The Merlin will be released sometime in July 2018.