Bundesliga Remains Exclusive to FIFA Until 2022 | Football Manager Secures License for the First Time
Jul 18, 2017, by Pat
An announcement many had been waiting for impatiently, the Bundesliga today confirmed that the league will continue to feature exclusively in EA Sports FIFA for the foreseeable future. Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga will appear in FIFA games until at least 2022. In addition, Sega and Konami have also become partners for the first time, securing themselves comprehensive rights packages for manager games. Read the official press release below.
A partner of the Bundesliga since 1998, Electronic Arts has acquired the rights to license match simulation products for the four seasons from 2018/19 through 2021/22. Consequently, the match simulation will remain exclusively in its hands. Electronic Arts’ rights will also cover e-sports, allowing the company to continue offering national and international games competitions such as the official TAG Heuer Virtual Bundesliga and FIFA Ultimate Team. Electronic Arts has also secured itself a non-exclusive rights package to develop soccer manager simulations in all languages and to market them globally.
Konami and Sega, two Japanese firms with a long history in the entertainment products industry, have acquired similar non-exclusive rights packages, but which are restricted to a single manager simulation each. Konami has enjoyed many years of success with manager simulations, especially in Asia. Sega’s Football Manager product is a classical soccer manager simulation with extreme game depth that is marketed mainly in Central Europe.
“Match and manager simulations are especially important to us because they help make the Bundesliga even more popular around the world – especially among the target group of young people who are passionate about soccer. That is why we are particularly pleased to be able to continue our successful partnership with Electronic Arts and its world-leading FIFA product. We have also been able to win over Konami and Sega, two providers that will also help us achieve our goal,” says Jörg Daubitzer, CEO of Bundesliga International.
All licenses apply worldwide and for marketing in any language. What is more, with new technologies and platforms emerging and conventional ones being integrated all the time, Bundesliga International has designed its packages to be technology-neutral for the first time.
The rights were awarded in an open, transparent and non-discriminatory bidding process. All parties have agreed not to disclose the licensing fees.
Are you happy with the decision? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Holstein Kiel 26-27 Special Kit Released - 80th Anniversary of the Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein
Holstein Kiel and Puma have officially released a new special kit for the 26-27 season, honoring the 80th anniversary of the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein. The bespoke shirt pays homage to the state's colors and maritime identity positioned between the North and Baltic Seas.
The Puma Holstein Kiel 26-27 special shirt features a dynamic diagonal design incorporating the state's blue, white, and red colors. A central white diagonal band is flanked by blue on the right shoulder and chest and red on the lower left flank, seamlessly blended through a pixelated sea spray gradient. Blue sleeves, red Puma logos, and a dual-colored V-neck collar complete the look, while the upper back is adorned with the official Schleswig-Holstein coat of arms placed above bold red Holstein Kiel text.
Produced with Puma's RE:FIBRE recycled fabric technology, the jersey features long-standing partner famila across the chest. The Holstein Kiel 26-27 special kit is available immediately through the club's official online store, retailing at €85.
SD Logroñés 26-27 Home, Away & Third Kits Released
Spanish Segunda Federación side SD Logroñés has officially unveiled its new kit collection for the 26-27 season, made by Japanese brand Mizuno. After wearing provisional shirts during the early stages of pre-season, the club has presented the definitive designs deeply rooted in local heritage and pride under the motto of celebrating their city and history.
The SD Logroñés 26-27 home jersey features the club's traditional red and white vertical stripes, outlined with black borders and highlighted by an illustration of Logroño's architectural skyline and iconic stone bridge across the chest. The away kit introduces a dark navy blue base enriched with vertical bands containing tonal grapevine patterns, paying homage to the winemaking tradition of La Rioja, complemented by red and white trim on the collar and cuffs.
Completing the collection, Mizuno and SD Logroñés have also revealed matching alternate designs in sky blue and vibrant yellow, both featuring the distinctive city skyline motif, alongside a fresh duo of goalkeeper jerseys prepared for the new campaign.
Newcastle United Announce SumUp Training Kit Sponsor Deal
Newcastle United has officially announced a new multi-year partnership with fintech firm SumUp, designating the British company as the club's Official Training Kit Partner. The deal sees SumUp become one of the Magpies' Primary Partners as well as the Presenting Partner of the Newcastle United Business Club.
As part of the agreement, the SumUp logo is featured across the front of Newcastle's Adidas training and pre-match warm-up apparel. The branding will be worn across all squads, including the men's first team, the women's team, and the academy setups. Reports estimate the value of the sponsorship at around £5 million per season.
Beyond the kit exposure, the collaboration will introduce a co-branded SumUp card designed to offer supporters exclusive rewards at official club stores and participating local businesses throughout the North East.
Red Star FC 26-27 Home Kit Released
French Ligue 2 side Red Star FC and Kappa have officially unveiled their new home kit for the 2026-27 season. Following the earlier launch of the street-art-inspired away shirt, the new home strip continues the club's tradition of bold, culturally rooted lifestyle-forward designs.
The Kappa Red Star FC 2026-27 home jersey combines the club's traditional green and white colors in a vertical block layout, highlighted by a wide green central band and green sleeve sections. Just like the away shirt created in collaboration with artist Lorem, the green panels are covered with an intricate doodle graphic pattern referencing elements from the club's storied history and Saint-Ouen culture. The shirt is rounded off with a classic green polo-style collar with a subtle V-neck cutout and the sponsor TRUST IT placed across the chest.
Green shorts and white socks complete the full look of the new Red Star FC 26-27 home strip by Kappa.
Manfredonia Calcio 1932 26-27 Home Kit Released
Italian Serie D side Manfredonia Calcio 1932 has unveiled its new home kit for the 26-27 season, produced by Italian kit supplier Givova.
The Givova Manfredonia Calcio 1932 26-27 home shirt features the club's traditional vertical stripes in sky blue and white. The light blue stripes include subtle tonal gradients for added depth, complemented by a simple round collar, white sleeves with repeated Givova logos across the shoulders, and the Vitulano Drugstore sponsor across the front.
White shorts and socks are set to complete the new Givova Manfredonia Calcio 1932 2026-27 home kit.
Club Africain 26-27 Home Kit Released
Tunisian powerhouse Club Africain has officially unveiled its new home kit for the 2026-27 season. The launch marks the beginning of the club's new technical partnership with Spanish sportswear brand Kelme.
The Kelme Club Africain 26-27 home jersey stays true to the club's historic identity, featuring the iconic red and white horizontal hoops. For the new campaign, the hoops incorporate a modern distressed, brush-stroke effect across the front and back. The shirt is complemented by a white V-collar with subtle red trim and matching sleeve cuffs, while the Kelme paw logo and Ooredoo sponsor sit seamlessly within the design.
White shorts and socks complete the new Club Africain 2026-27 home strip. The jersey retails for 159 TND and is available through the club's official Boutique Lefri9i stores.
Lovely: RC Strasbourg 26-27 Third Kit Features Bespoke Patterned Sponsors
RC Strasbourg and adidas have added an exceptional custom touch to the French side's 26-27 third shirt. Released as part of the club's 120th anniversary celebrations with a retro black-and-deep-blue striped look inspired by the 1946-47 season, the jersey features a subtle repeating pattern of Strasbourg's vintage diamond RCS crest embedded directly within the black infill of both the main Winamax chest sponsor and the secondary és logo.
Hummel US Granville 26-27 Home & Away Kits Released - No More Puma
French club US Granville has officially revealed its new home and away kits for the 2026-27 campaign, marking the start of a new partnership with Hummel. The Danish brand takes over from Puma as the official technical supplier for the side.
The Hummel US Granville 26-27 home shirt is predominantly white, featuring an eye-catching graphic pattern of wavy blue vertical pinstripes running across the front body. Royal blue accents appear on the crew neck collar, side panels, and sleeve cuffs, complemented by Hummel's trademark chevrons on the shoulders and a centrally placed club crest.
Sharing the same visual template, the US Granville 2026-27 away jersey reverses the color scheme with a royal blue base and light blue wave line graphics. The away shirt is completed with clean white Hummel chevrons and monochrome sponsor detailing across the chest.
