Largest Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball to Debut
The latest New Year’s Eve ball, making its debut this year in Times Square, will be the largest ever, featuring almost double the reflective crystal of its predecessor, officials announced on Monday.
This new sphere, named the Constellation Ball, includes 5,280 Waterford Crystals and is touted as the “largest” to date by One Times Square, the organization behind the ball drop event.
With a diameter of 12.5 feet and a weight of over 12,300 pounds, this iconic ball will descend from the historic One Times Square building for the ninth time since the tradition started in 1907.
“We have the most digitally advanced lighting and sound sequences,” said Michael Phillips, president of Jamestown, the company managing the building, during a preview event on Monday.
He added, “Like the building, this ball was designed and invented by New Yorkers and built using parts from around the world.”
This year’s design features round crystals, a departure from the previous triangular shapes, and each crystal includes a unique pattern, cut into three different sizes.
Waterford, the crystal supplier, mentioned that these variations reflect the theme of “Infinite Joy, Infinite Light, Infinite Beginnings.”
“Each cut and curve captures a balance of reflection and renewal, embodying the spirit of possibility as the world gathers to ring in the new year,” Waterford stated.
The old ball served from 2008 until its retirement in January 2025.
This announcement coincides with a $550 million renovation of One Times Square, which has hosted the ball drop for over a century. The renovation includes a wedding chapel, a candy store, an interactive museum, an observation deck, and a “premium ball experience” allowing visitors to touch the New Year’s Eve ball throughout the year.
Visitors to the site can enjoy guided tours and access to the 19th-floor observation deck for around $45. They’ll even have the chance to take home crystals from the old 2025 ball as it’s replaced by the 2026 version, approximately $300 each.
Once the transfer of crystals is complete, the lights behind the 2026 crystal will flash a custom Morse code New Year’s resolution message, a nod to the building’s original role as the New York Times newsroom that received Morse code messages from around the globe.
“The New Year’s Eve Ball in Times Square represents hope, unity, and new beginnings,” said Tom Harris, president of the Times Square Alliance, at the unveiling on Monday. “For more than a century, this iconic symbol has drawn people globally to celebrate the new year with enthusiasm for what lies ahead.”
