Völkl Tennis · Working product calendar
ETHOS development & launch roadmap
A 36-month view of model development, sample approvals, photography, seasonal bags and apparel, two annual dealer catalogs, and staged launch creative.
Planning version: September 28, 2026. Months are proposed targets for review with Sean and production. Future models and releases require approval.
01 / Full-line view
36-month model overview
The sequence follows the established VOSTRA model family as a planning reference. The ETHOS 4, 8, 8 Jr, 6 and 9 artwork was documented in 2026; later ETHOS families below are proposed.
Year 1 · Oct 2026–Sep 2027
Finish first-wave samples and imagery; release 4, 8, 8 Jr, 6 and 9 in stages. Develop and sample 2, 5 and 10.
Year 2 · Oct 2027–Sep 2028
Release 2, 5 and 10, followed by 3, 7 and Power Arm. Progress V1 artwork and sampling.
Year 3 · Oct 2028–Sep 2029
Complete V1 photography and release MP, Pro and OS; maintain the line and brief the successor.
A Art/developmentS Samples/approvalP Photography/launch preparationL Proposed launchU Continuing support
Year 1 · October 2026–September 2027
| Model / group | Oct–Dec 2026 | Jan–Mar 2027 | Apr–Jun 2027 | Jul–Sep 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETHOS 4 | S / P | L / U | U | U |
| ETHOS 8 · 285 / 300 / 315 | S / P | L / U | U | U |
| ETHOS 8 Jr | S | P | L / U | U |
| ETHOS 6 | S | P | L / U | U |
| ETHOS 9 · 290 / 305 | S | P | L / U | U |
| ETHOS 2 / 5 | A | A / S | S | P |
| ETHOS 10 · 300 / 320 / Jr | A | A / S | S | P |
| ETHOS 3 / 7 / 1 Power Arm | — | A | A | A / S |
| ETHOS V1 · MP / Pro / OS | — | — | — | — |
Year 2 · October 2027–September 2028
| Model / group | Oct–Dec 2027 | Jan–Mar 2028 | Apr–Jun 2028 | Jul–Sep 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETHOS 4 / 8 / 6 / 9 | U | — | — | — |
| ETHOS 2 / 5 | L / U | U | — | — |
| ETHOS 10 · 300 / 320 / Jr | L / U | U | — | — |
| ETHOS 3 / 7 / 1 Power Arm | S | P | L / U | U |
| ETHOS V1 · MP / Pro / OS | — | A | A | S |
Year 3 · October 2028–September 2029
| Model / group | Oct–Dec 2028 | Jan–Mar 2029 | Apr–Jun 2029 | Jul–Sep 2029 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current ETHOS line | U | U | U | U |
| ETHOS V1 · MP / Pro / OS | S / P | P / L | L / U | U |
| Next-line brief | — | — | A | A |
02 / Stage gates
Development, samples & release windows
These are target windows. Sample receipt, playtesting, cosmetic approval, production inventory and photography access determine the actual release date. “First” and “second” sample dates marked proposed have not been confirmed by the factory.
| Goal / model group | Development start | First samples | Second / final samples | Sample shoot & cleanup | Catalog | Proposed launch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring/summer 2027 4; 8 285 / 300 / 315 |
Art and revisions documented Aug–Sep 2026 | Earlier round completed; date unverified | Photo samples reported ready Sep 2026; receive and approve Oct | Oct–Nov 2026 shoot; Nov–Dec cleanup | SS27 content Jan; final Feb 2027 | 4: Jan; 8 285: Feb; 8 300 / 315: Mar, subject to stock |
| Spring/summer 2027 8 Jr |
Artwork sent Aug 2026 | Proposed Oct 2026 | Proposed Dec 2026 | Jan 2027 shoot and cleanup | SS27 final Feb 2027 | Apr 2027 |
| Spring/summer 2027 6; 9 290 / 305 |
Artwork sent Aug 2026 | Proposed Oct–Nov 2026 | Proposed Jan–Feb 2027 | Feb–Mar 2027 shoot and cleanup | SS27 supplement Apr if Feb cutoff is missed | 6: May; 9 pair: Jun 2027 |
| Fall/winter 2027 2; 5; 10 300 / 320 / Jr |
Concept Oct–Dec 2026; factory art Jan 2027 | Proposed Feb–Mar 2027 | Proposed May–Jun 2027 | Jul–Aug 2027 shoot and cleanup | FW27 final Aug–Sep 2027 | 2 / 5: Oct–Nov; 10 family: Nov–Dec 2027 |
| Spring/summer 2028 3; 7; 1 Power Arm |
Concept Apr–Jun 2027; factory art Jul | Proposed Aug–Sep 2027 | Proposed Nov–Dec 2027 | Jan 2028 shoot and cleanup | SS28 final Feb–Mar 2028 | 3 / 7: Apr–May; Power Arm: Jun 2028 |
| Spring/summer 2029 V1 MP / Pro / OS |
Concept Jan–Mar 2028; factory art Apr–Jun | Proposed Jul–Aug 2028 | Proposed Oct–Nov 2028 | Dec 2028–Jan 2029 shoot and cleanup | SS29 final Feb 2029 | MP: Mar; Pro: Apr; OS: May 2029 |
03 / Two seasons each year
Seasonal bags, apparel & dealer catalogs
Each development window serves its upcoming spring/summer or fall/winter launch. Bags and tees follow approved racket colors; photography and catalog production follow final samples.
| Season | Racket-line goal | Bag development / samples | Apparel development / samples | Photography / catalog | Launch support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring/summer 2027 Jan–Jun |
Staged 4, 8, 8 Jr, 6 and 9 rollout | 4 / 8 MAGMA direction in review Sep 2026; first sample Oct–Nov; revised Dec–Jan; shoot Jan–Feb | Tee/hat concepts Oct–Nov 2026; samples Dec–Jan; final art Feb | Racket shoot Oct–Mar; bags/tees by Feb; SS27 workbook final Feb, with later model supplements as needed | Model packages Jan–Jun; coordinated bag and apparel creative |
| Fall/winter 2027 Jul–Dec |
Develop and release 2 / 5 / 10 in stages | Start palette Jan–Feb 2027; first sample Apr; second Jun; shoot Jul–Aug | Concept Mar–Apr; first sample May; final Jul | Racket/bag/apparel shoot Jul–Aug; FW27 workbook final Aug–Sep | Model releases Oct–Dec, plus corresponding assets |
| Spring/summer 2028 Jan–Jun |
Develop and release 3 / 7 / Power Arm | Start Jul–Aug 2027; first sample Oct; second Dec; shoot Jan 2028 | Concept Sep 2027; sample Nov; final Jan 2028 | Racket/bag/apparel shoot Jan; SS28 workbook final Feb–Mar | Model releases Apr–Jun with bag and merch creative |
| Fall/winter 2028 Jul–Dec |
V1 sampling and photography; support current line; no new racket launch assumed | Fall refresh starts Jan–Feb 2028; first sample Apr; second Jun; shoot Jul | Concept Mar; sample May; final Jul | Refresh shoot Jul; FW28 workbook final Aug–Sep; V1 preview if approved | Current-line ads, promotions, partner assets and site updates |
| Spring/summer 2029 Jan–Jun |
Staged V1 MP, Pro and OS rollout | V1 palette starts Jul–Aug 2028; first sample Oct; second Dec; shoot Jan 2029 | Concept Sep 2028; sample Nov; final Jan 2029 | V1/bag/apparel shoot Dec–Jan; SS29 workbook final Feb | V1 releases Mar–May with matching creative |
| Fall/winter 2029 Jul–Sep planning cutoff |
Full-line review and next-line brief | Next fall refresh starts Jan–Mar 2029; samples Apr / Jun; shoot Jul | Concept Mar–Apr; sample May; final Jul | FW29 workbook final Aug–Sep, subject to approved assortment | Current-line support; decide refresh and successor scope |
04 / Creative handoff
What accompanies each approved release
| Workstream | Release deliverables |
|---|---|
| Product & production | Approved specifications and cosmetics, production art, packaging/UPC layouts, pricing and availability checks. |
| Photography | Sample shot list, product and action images, selections, cutouts, retouching and organized final asset folder. |
| Dealer materials | Seasonal workbook/catalog placement, model copy and specifications, retailer creative and partner/RSPA formats when scheduled. |
| Consumer launch | Product page and racquet-selector content, model ads, web and social formats, launch email, promotional coordination. |
| Line extensions | Bag colors and seasonal tees/hats aligned to the approved model story, with samples, final art and imagery. |