In this article a novel design for signal anodes for ultrafast microchannel plate detectors is introduced. A detector assembly was designed and built with an impedance‐matched transition line (50 &OHgr; line resistance) from anode to cable connector which is considerably smaller than other, commercially available, solutions and at the same time has about four times the active area with no limitations for up scaling to even larger active areas. Theoretical proof is given that the impedance matching can be achieved over the entire transition line. The design makes use of a bipolar geometry and is flexible to accommodate differing experimental needs. The design was chosen to optimize for small overall size with good temporal response at the same time. The detector was tested with an alpha particle source and an excellent time response was obtained. Although the design was driven by special needs for space application the detector can be applied wherever short timing pulses are needed.