Times Square is set to ring in 2026 with a new ball for the New Year’s Eve drop, and it’s the largest one yet, measuring 12.5 feet in diameter and weighing over 12,000 pounds.
The Constellation Ball features 5,280 circular Waterford crystals in three different sizes, as well as LED light pucks, and is meant to represent interconnectedness, wholeness, and the cyclical nature of tradition.
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According to Michael Phillips, president of Jamestown, the firm that owns and operates One Times Square, the ball celebrates the eternal relationship between the past, present, and future.
The Times Square ball drop is an integral part of New Year’s Eve celebrations, with millions of people watching on television as the ball glides slowly down a pole and the crowd counts down from 60.
The tradition first started in 1907, thanks to Jacob Starr, a Ukrainian immigrant and metalworker, and Adolph Ochs, the former New York Times publisher, who wanted to create a new visual display after city officials banned explosives from being used.
The concept was based on time balls, nautical devices that had gained popularity in the 19th century, and was allegedly inspired by the downtown Western Union Building, which dropped a time ball each day at noon.
Tama Starr, Jacob Starr’s granddaughter, believes that her grandfather came up with the concept of the ball being lowered and lit up with the new year numerals at midnight.
A Brief History of the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball Drop
The first ball was made of iron and wood, adorned with light bulbs, and was lowered by hand starting at one minute to midnight.
Over the years, the ball has evolved to feature different designs and materials, including a “Big Apple” during the administration of former mayor Ed Koch.
In 1995, the ball got a glitzy update with rhinestones, strobe lights, and computer controls, making traditional signmakers no longer needed.
Tama Starr remembers her years as the timekeeper on the roof of One Times Square fondly, and sees an intrinsic link between the countdown and the making of New Year’s resolutions.
When the last minute of the year arrived, workers lowered the ball using a complex pulley system, and Tama Starr would often feel like time was slowing down.
She believes that the countdown is a time for reflection and change, and that people can decide to be different and kinder in just one minute.
- The Constellation Ball is the ninth ball to usher in the new year at Times Square.
- It features 5,280 circular Waterford crystals in three different sizes.
- The ball is 12.5 feet in diameter and weighs over 12,000 pounds.
In room 314 of the One Times Square building, workers would prepare for the ball drop, checking the pulley system and the lights to ensure a smooth descent.
The Times Square ball drop is a tradition that has been going on for over a century, and it continues to be an integral part of New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The New Ball’s Design
The Constellation Ball features a unique design that celebrates the ball’s spirit of eternal positivity, with each new crystal size featuring a design that is meant to represent interconnectedness and wholeness.
The ball’s design is a departure from the triangular crystals seen on previous balls since 1999, and features LED light pucks that add to its dazzle.
According to One Times Square, the event’s organizers, the ball is meant to be a symbol of the eternal relationship between the past, present, and future.
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