Uhlsport
New Wave Group · Germany
Uhlsport is a German team sports company from Balingen, founded by Karl Uhl in 1948 and best known for goalkeeper gloves. Owned by the Daiss family from 1998, it agreed in August 2026 to be acquired in full by Sweden's New Wave Group, together with its handball brand Kempa.
| Founded | 1948, Balingen |
|---|---|
| Founder | Karl Uhl |
| Owner | New Wave Group (acquisition announced August 2026) |
| Previous owner | Daiss family (1998 to 2026) |
| Brands | uhlsport, Kempa |
| Specialism | Goalkeeper gloves |
| Website | uhlsport.com |
What is Uhlsport?
Uhlsport GmbH makes clothing, equipment and accessories for team sports, chiefly football and handball. Its flagship brand uhlsport specialises in goalkeeper gloves, goalkeeper apparel, footballs, shin guards and teamwear, while Kempa covers handball. The company is headquartered in Balingen, Baden-Württemberg.
History
Karl Uhl founded the business in 1948; it traded first as Haase and Uhl and later as Karl Uhl GmbH. Early production focused on leather studs for football boots, and from 1953 it made soles for sports shoe manufacturers. The company took the name uhlsport GmbH in 1994. In 1998 the Uhl family sold it to the Daiss family. A multi-brand strategy for football and handball followed in 2002 with the Kempa brand. On 31 August 2026 New Wave Group, listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, announced it would acquire 100 per cent of uhlsport GmbH, with closing expected on 1 October 2026; New Wave reported revenue of about 67 million euros for uhlsport in 2025.
Products and positioning
Uhlsport is a mid-market specialist with a strong reputation among goalkeepers. Gloves are organised by collection, grip and cut, alongside goalkeeper kits, teamwear collections, balls and bags. It also supplies fan apparel to partner clubs.
Business model and distribution
Distribution is largely indirect, through team sports dealers and partners. Uhlsport runs subsidiaries or sales units in France, Spain, Sweden, the UK, Benelux and Switzerland, an international export team and a B2B dealer shop, plus its own online store.
Why it matters
Uhlsport shows how a specialist category, goalkeeping, can sustain an independent brand next to global sportswear groups. Its sale to New Wave Group in 2026 also illustrates ongoing consolidation among mid-sized European team sports suppliers. The brand remains closely associated with football goalkeepers.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Uhlsport?
Swedish New Wave Group announced on 31 August 2026 that it would buy all shares in uhlsport GmbH from the Daiss family, with closing expected on 1 October 2026. Uhlsport becomes part of New Wave's Sports and Leisure segment.
Where is Uhlsport from?
Uhlsport is German. It was founded by Karl Uhl in 1948 and is headquartered in Balingen, Baden-Württemberg.