# Jabulani ball becomes footgolf’s luxury

> The 2010 World Cup’s infamous Jabulani ball, once called the worst, is now footgolf’s prized possession worth £500.
- Title: Jabulani ball becomes footgolf’s luxury · the Guardian
- Summary: The 2010 World Cup’s infamous Jabulani ball, once called the worst, is now footgolf’s prized possession worth £500. Footgolfers use the 2010 World Cup’s…
- Keywords: jabulani, footgolf, adidas, world cup, seattle, nfl, sport, ball, footgolf world cup, footgolfers, adidas jabulani, footgolf market
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/27/footgolfers-in-arms-race-to-replicate-the-worst-ball-ive-seen-in-my-life
- Published: 2026-09-27T07:00:58+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: jabulani, footgolf, adidas, world cup, seattle, nfl, sport, ball, footgolf world cup, footgolfers, adidas jabulani, footgolf market
## Jabulani’s footgolf rise
The 2010 World Cup’s Jabulani ball, once called the worst, is now footgolf’s prized possession worth £500.

> The worst ball I've seen in my life
## Why footgolfers love it
Footgolfers use the Jabulani’s smooth surface to generate consistent spin and travel further than other balls.
## Price surge
Boxed Jabulani balls now cost £500, up from £250 three years ago.
## Scarcity crisis
Adidas won’t make more Jabulani balls, leaving footgolfers with a limited supply.
## The arms race
Brands like FGB and Squb are creating footgolf balls to rival the Jabulani’s performance.
## Ben Clarke’s dilemma
Top footgolfer Ben Clarke has three Jabulani balls but says they’re getting rarer and more expensive.
## The future
Footgolfers hope for a new ball that matches the Jabulani’s bounce and distance.
## Why it matters
The scarcity of the Jabulani has driven a global market for footgolf balls.
## Key takeaway

Footgolfers use the 2010 World Cup’s Jabulani ball despite its poor reputation in football, now valued at £500 due to scarcity.