Back in Adidas Copa: Declan Rice to Join Nike?
1 hour ago, by Chris
- Initial Nike Sighting: On August 25, 2026, Declan Rice was surprisingly spotted wearing retail Nike Tiempo football boots during Arsenal's training, departing from his usual Adidas Copa footwear.
- Potential Brand Switch Hint: This unexpected move to non-blackout Nike boots suggested a potential impending brand switch from Adidas to Nike, which would be a significant acquisition for Nike from a major rival.
- Return to Adidas Copa: Just days later, on August 31, 2026, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice returned to wearing his customary Adidas Copa football boots in training, following the brief appearance in Nike.
Update - Monday, August 31, 2026: Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has returned to wearing Adidas Copa football boots in training. Just days earlier, the England international had surprised boot spotters by lacing up in retail Nike Tiempo boots during Arsenal's pre-season preparations at London Colney.
Tuesday, Aug 25, 2026: Shock Move: Declan Rice to Join Nike?
In an unexpected twist at Arsenal's training ground, midfield star Declan Rice was spotted lacing up in Nike Tiempo football boots instead of his customary Adidas Copa Pure, strongly hinting at an impending brand switch to the Swoosh.
Declan Rice Spotted in Nike Tiempo Boots
Rice has spent years as one of the primary global faces of Adidas' modern heritage line, headlining campaigns for the Copa Pure silo and regularly receiving custom boots. However, in today's training session, the England international completely sidelined his Three Stripes footwear in favor of the standard Break 'em retail colorway of the Nike Tiempo Maestro, featuring a white base with striking red and gold accents.
Rice previously wore the Nike Tiempo Legend at early stages in his senior career before committing to Adidas.
Wearing non-blackout Nike boots in an open training session usually signals that a player's contractual obligations with their previous sponsor are coming to an end or have already expired.
If Declan Rice officially makes the switch, it would mark a massive signing for Nike, taking one of the Premier League's most marketable midfield leaders directly from their fiercest rival.
All eyes will now be on Rice's feet during Arsenal's upcoming fixtures to see if the move becomes official on the pitch.
Adidas x Poland
We finally got the first detailed information about the return of the Three Stripes to Poland. More very soon.
Giant Adidas Three Stripes on Long-Sleeve Kits Overwhelm Aesthetic
Adidas introduced enlarged Three Stripes across its performance templates ahead of the 2026 World Cup, rolling the look out across club teams for the 26-27 season. Designed to maximize on-pitch brand visibility, the wider striping measures around 18mm across. However, its competitive rollout has drawn criticism from kit enthusiasts and fans who feel the oversized proportions overwhelm the aesthetic balance of modern kits.
The visual disruption is especially noticeable on long-sleeved shirts. When worn on the pitch by players like Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, the thick white stripes command the shoulders and arms, dwarfing surrounding elements like the collar and sleeve patches. While short-sleeved shirts offer breaks in coverage, the continuous run of oversized stripes down full-length sleeves makes the branding feel excessively dominant.
Despite the pushback, Adidas will retain this oversized stripe template through at least the 27-28 campaign.
SK Brann 2026 Third Kit Released
Norwegian club SK Brann and Nike have officially unveiled their new third kit for the 2026 season, paying tribute to the club's historic 1976 Norwegian Cup-winning side on its 50th anniversary.
The jersey is predominantly white, highlighted by red vertical striping running down the right chest behind the red Nike Swoosh, red sponsor branding, and a monochrome red club crest. Debuted on pitch during their Eliteserien away clash against Sandefjord, the new release completes Brann's 2026 kit collection alongside their previously launched home and away shirts.
