Times Square’s Largest-Ever New Year’s Eve Ball Was Just Unveiled — It’s 12 Feet Wide, Over 12K Pounds, & Covered In Double The Glittering Crystals

On January 15th, 2025, the iconic Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball that rang in countless countdowns dropped one final time. After its farewell descent, it joined several earlier balls inside One Times Square’s *Time Travel History Experience –*an interactive exhibit that takes visitors through the history of Times Square, including the legendary New Year’s Eve Ball Drop. The 12,000 pound, 12-foot-wide ball was adorned with 2,688 glittering Waterford Crystal triangles and, first soaring to great heights over Times Square in 2008, was the eighth ball to be used in Times Square’s New Year’s Eve festivities before reaching retirement. And though it was tough to say goodbye, the sneak peak at the 2025 ball One Times Square recently gave us was enough to spark excitement, because this year’s ball is shinier than ever! The 12,000-pound, 12-foot-wide ball was adorned with 2,688 glittering Waterford Crystal triangles. First soaring to great heights over Times Square in 2008, it was the eighth ball to be used in Times Square’s New Year’s Eve festivities before officially reaching retirement. And though it was tough to say goodbye, the sneak peek at the 2026 New Year’s Eve Ball that One Times Square recently gave us was more than enough to spark excitement–because this year’s ball is truly shinier than ever. On Monday, November 24th, a brand-new crystal ball–the ninth ball since the holiday tradition began in 1907–made its debut ascent up the 139-foot pole atop One Times Square. And if one thing’s certain, it’s that this glowing globe is seriously decked out for its big night in Times Square. Dubbed “The Constellation Ball,” the new dazzler measures 12.5 feet in diameter and weighs a whopping 12,350 pounds, making it Times Square’s largest New Year’s Eve Ball yet. The ball is covered in 5,280 Waterford crystals, nearly double the amount on the previous design. And for the first time in history, the ball’s handcrafted crystals are circular instead of triangular, with three different sizes creating a dazzling new pattern known as The Infinite Edition. Each crystal is meticulously cut to reflect light in a way that embodies the year’s theme: ***Infinite Joy, Infinite Light, Infinite Beginnings*. The special unveiling ceremony also included a ribbon cutting for a new 360-degree viewing deck overlooking Times Square. And here’s the most exciting part for New Yorkers and visitors alike: for the first time ever, the New Year’s Eve Ball will be open to the public** this season. Two new ticketed experiences will let you get up close to the famous sphere: * The Ball Access Experience – includes admission to the Viewing Deck, a guided tour with a New York expert, and a dedicated photo moment with the new New Year’s Eve Ball * The Premium Ball Experience – an upgraded option that lets you place your own crystal on the Ball, encode it with a personalized message to display on New Year’s Eve, and even take home a keepsake crystal Those interested can join the waitlist for both experiences on One Times Square’s website, making this year’s Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration more immersive and interactive than ever before. Source: https://secretnyc.co/largest-ever-times-square-new-years-eve-ball/