Ever Wonder Why Some Soccer Balls Fly Better Than Others?
Or why a shot can suddenly start wobbling wildly in mid-air?
The answer often lies in the shape and pattern of the panels — the patches on the ball’s surface.

With the help of flow simulations, we can take a close look at how air moves around different soccer ball designs. Computer models reveal which designs fly smoothly and stay stable — and which ones behave more like a crazy boomerang!

We’ll test classic 32-panel balls as well as modern versions like the 2024 World Cup ball, which is made up of just 6 panels. The results don’t just look cool — they also help us understand how physics and aerodynamics play a major role in sports.

Science meets sports — and trust us, it’s anything but boring!