Exclusive: Adidas to Massively Expand Long-Sleeve Kits to Non-Elite Clubs and MLS
38 minutes ago, by Max
- Adidas Policy Change: Adidas is dramatically changing its long-standing policy to expand the availability of commercially available long-sleeve football shirts beyond its top-tier 'Elite' teams to include a broader spectrum of non-elite clubs.
- Non-Elite Club Rollout: Starting in the 27-28 season, non-elite clubs like 1. FC Köln and other popular teams with massive followings, such as FC Schalke 04, are set to receive official long-sleeve jerseys, a change confirmed by Footy Headlines.
- MLS Comeback: This European expansion coincides with a broader return of long-sleeve jerseys in Major League Soccer, reversing a 2019 league-wide phase-out due to growing fan frustration and a cultural revival of long-sleeve shirts among enthusiasts.
For years, commercially available long-sleeve football shirts have been a luxury strictly reserved for Adidas' top-tier "Elite" teams, such as Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Bayern Munich. Supporters of non-elite clubs were routinely left without the option, forced instead to settle for short sleeves and thermal base layers. That restrictive policy is now set to change dramatically, as the Three Stripes prepare a widespread rollout of long-sleeve kits for a broader spectrum of teams.
According to early information leaked by Cologne News-Account, and our Partners, Inside Müngersdorf, 1. FC Köln will receive at least one official long-sleeve jersey starting in the 27-28 season. The report highlights that this policy shift does not apply to Köln alone. Footy Headlines can confirm this Information! Adidas plans to extend long-sleeve availability to several popular non-elite clubs with massive followings, making beloved traditional powerhouses like FC Schalke 04 obvious candidates for the upcoming expansion.
The Return of Long Sleeves in MLS and Europe
This European expansion coincides with a broader return of long-sleeve jerseys across the Atlantic in Major League Soccer. MLS phased out long sleeves league-wide ahead of the 2019 campaign, citing supply chain efficiency and changing player habits. However, growing fan frustration and relentless demand have pushed Adidas to reverse course, beginning with select authentic long-sleeve releases for clubs like Inter Miami and a wider league comeback.
The strategic shift marks a noticeable turnaround in how major sportswear brands approach kit formats. Long-sleeve shirts have enjoyed a significant cultural revival among collectors, casual wearers, and terrace fashion enthusiasts over recent years.
By democratizing long-sleeve shirts beyond its handful of Elite-Teams, Adidas is tapping into a passionate and underserved segment of kit enthusiasts. Fans who have waited almost a decade for traditional long sleeves will soon see them return to club Stores across the globe.
Are you glad to see Adidas finally bringing back long sleeves for non-elite clubs and MLS? Let us know in the comments below.
India 26-27 Home, Away & Third Kits Released
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and technical sponsor Nivia Sports have officially launched the new India 26-27 home, away, and third kits. The new collection will be worn in the high-profile series of international friendlies against Panama, Brazil, and Uruguay.
The India 26-27 home shirt features a vibrant light blue base combined with bright orange accents on the side panels, V-neck collar, and sleeve cuffs. Subtly woven into the fabric is a peacock feather jacquard pattern, complemented by patterned ethnic-inspired taping running down the shoulders and golden piping framing the front. In line with the rest of the collection, the AIFF crest is centrally aligned on the chest, with the Nivia logo situated just below.
Completing the range, the away jersey arrives in dark blue with clean white contrast piping along the collar, cuffs, and shoulder inserts for a classic aesthetic. The third kit switches to an energetic saffron orange look accented by rich blue side panels and sleeve trim, mirroring the shoulder pattern details from the primary strip.
Adidas Argentina Messi Farewell Player & Keeper Kit Leaked - Official Pictures
We can leak official images of the Adidas Argentina commemorative collection celebrating Lionel Messi ahead of his final international appearance for the Albiceleste. The centerpiece of the capsule is the bespoke home shirt, rounded out by a dark green goalkeeper edition and a radiant light blue pre-match shirt, crafted as a fitting tribute ahead of Messi's emotional farewell against Benin on October 6, 2026.
Inter Miami 2026-2027 Home Kit Leaked - Return of Long-Sleeve Kits in MLS
We can leak images of the Adidas Inter Miami 2026-2027 home kit in the authentic long-sleeve version. It is remarkable because Adidas has not made long-sleeve MLS kits available for almost a decade. While the images show a counterfeit, they match the information about a massive return of Adidas long-sleeve kits. More to follow very soon.
Jordan PSG 26-27 Fourth Kit Leaked - Launch Mockups
Following the leak of the Jordan Paris Saint-Germain 26-27 fourth shirt, our partner What The Kit has created a stylish series of launch mockups depicting how the kit will look on the club's star players. Set to debut in early 2027 as part of Jordan's upcoming "Wings 2.0" collection themed "Greatness from Greater Paris", the design revives the iconic wing motif first introduced during the 24-25 campaign. The new iteration switches to a predominantly white and light grey base adorned with subtle urban graffiti graphics, framed by contrasting black Jordan wings that cascade down the shoulders and sleeves, particularly standing out in the long-sleeve version.
Udinese 26-27 Third Kit Released - 130th Anniversary Design by Giuseppe Buccinnà
Udinese Calcio and technical partner Macron have officially launched the club's new third kit for the 26-27 season. Unveiled during Milan Fashion Week in partnership with the Camera Moda Fashion Trust, the bespoke shirt was created in collaboration with Italian fashion designer Giuseppe Buccinnà and serves as the centerpiece of a capsule collection celebrating the Friulian club's 130th anniversary.
The Macron Udinese 26-27 third shirt is built around an off-white cream base complemented by bold black curved side panels and piping that evoke mid-2000s kit silhouettes. Tone-on-tone geometric star textures are woven into the fabric structure, while subtle gold accents trim the sleeve edges. Most distinctively, Udinese's standard crest is replaced on the left chest with a commemorative star emblem dedicated to the club's founding in 1896.
Finishing details include Buccinnà's signature placed right above the embroidered Macron Hero on the chest, along with black back-neck detailing that displays "Designed in Bologna" and the iconic Friulian rallying cry "FUARCE UDIN" in gold lettering. The new third uniform is available immediately through official Udinese and Macron stores.
Jürgen Klopp Wears Unreleased Adidas Predator Touch Remake Boots in First Germany Training
Germany head coach Jürgen Klopp was spotted during national team training lacing up the unreleased 2026 remake of the legendary 1996 Adidas Predator Touch football boots. Providing an early on-pitch showcase ahead of the boot's official drop in October/November 2026, Klopp wore the iconic classic black, white, and red design, highlighted by its distinct fold-over tongue with retro white Adidas branding, signature side stripes, and a modernised soleplate. Thanks to Boots Club for the images.
