Waterford Crystal ball launches New York into the future
Times Square on New Year's Eve Photo: Simon Dux
It was recently announced that Waterford (formerly known as Waterford Crystal) was to replace the New York City, New Year’s Eve Ball for only the ninth time ever in its 117-year history.
Emily Brophy, Senior Brand Marketing Manager and Global Brand Ambassador for Waterford, described the new ball as ‘truly breathtaking’.
She added that it’s designed to ‘radiate optimism from every angle’.
This year, the ball which caused major excitement had 5,280 pieces of Waterford crystal, which was double the amount used in previous years.
In the past, triangular shapes were used to make up the ball, but this year it was comprised of circles.
According to Ms. Brophy, the circular shape represents “infinite joy, infinite life and infinite beginnings”.
"As the world comes together each New Year's Eve, there is no greater stage for Waterford than Times Square," said Bentley Hardwick, Global Head of Waterford.
"Through the brilliance of crystal craftsmanship, we are proud to help shape a moment that unites millions in celebration and optimism for the future. We are honoured to be part of this piece of history."
This new creation coincided with the opening of a new visitor experience called One Times Square.
There, visitors will have the opportunity to see the 2025 New Year's Eve Ball up close and participate in the evolution of its transition into the 2026 Ball design.
At The Premium Ball Experience, guests will be able to replace a 2025 crystal disc with a 2026 crystal, symbolically contributing to the next chapter of the Ball's history.
Each participant will take home the 2025 crystal they received as a personal keepsake from one of the world's most iconic celebrations.
While New York City's New Year's Eve ball drop tradition dates back to 1907, it was 1999 before Waterford Crystal was brought onboard to craft the modern Ball to welcome the new millennium.
In August 1999, Pat Haynes, the then-Mayor of Waterford, escorted the crystal panels from Ireland to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and presented them to then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani and other distinguished guests.
