Champions League Kits Boast Plain Backs as UEFA Enforces Rules More Strictly
Aug 26, 2015, by Pat
From what we could see in this and last week's Champions League playoff matches, UEFA appears to act more rigorous concerning the application of the kit rules this year.
In fact, no team in this season's Champions League playoff matches, the first round that takes place under the official Champions League competition regulations, sported a shirt with stripes or other distractions on the back, including Shakhtar Donetsk (orange-black striped), Valencia (orange-red stripes) and Monaco.
Monaco and Valencia Wear Adjusted Shirts in Champions League
AS Monaco's shirts are seen in the locker room prior to the match against Valencia.
Monaco's shirt last night was unusual in particular, featuring a large white block on the lower back, with the upper section behind the player names still boasting parts of the iconic diagonal red design. Last year, Monaco donned its regular 14-15 home kit in the Champions League with no problems.
Monaco's shirt in the 14-15 Champions League, 15-16 Ligue 1 and 15-16 Champions League
Valencia also sported an adjusted version of their new striped 15-16 away shirt with a solid yellow back, similar to Celtic and Shakhtar Donetsk.
Valencia's 15-16 away kit in La Liga and Champions League
Whereas the UEFA Kit Regulations haven't been changed for this season, it seems that UEFA's football governing body acts more strictly regarding their implementation.
The rules (last changed 2012) state that the "numbers must be of a single color with the required minimum contrast with the background color", according to an unspecified calculation. Additionally, "around the figure(s), there must be a zone free from any item and comprising a single-color background if so required".
We'll have to wait how this change in rules application will affect other teams' uniforms come the start to the Champions League group stage. Barcelona's new 15-16 away kit comes to mind as an example for legibility-hindering back stripes.
Do you think it's a clever move from UEFA to enforce the rules more strictly? What's more important, legibility or freedom of design? Let us know in the comments below.
No More Joma: Reebok Hibernian FC 26-27 Third Kit Released
Scottish Premiership side Hibernian FC have officially launched their new third kit for the 26-27 season. Made by Reebok following their takeover from Joma as the club's technical partner, the shirt introduces a fresh look for the upcoming campaign.
The Hibernian 26-27 third jersey features a light purple base that smoothly fades into dark grey towards the bottom hem. It is equipped with a classic dark polo collar and matching cuff details. The Reebok logo is placed centrally on the upper chest directly above a monochromatic black and grey Hibernian badge, with main sponsor bevvy.com printed underneath.
This release completes Hibernian's kit lineup for the 26-27 season, joining the green home uniform and bone-white away shirt previously unveiled by the brand.
Nike Mercurial Superfly 11 'Mamba' Boots - Concept Renders
Nike is preparing to release a special Kobe Bryant-inspired Nike Mercurial Superfly 11 Elite 'Mambacurial' boot in Fall 2026 for the 26-27 season. Paying homage to the basketball icon and the celebrated 2013 Nike Kobe 8 'Mambacurial' crossover, the release brings the Mamba theme back to football pitch performance.
Following leaks surrounding the upcoming release, digital creator bootsplug has produced close-up concept renders of the Nike Mercurial Superfly 11 'Mambacurial'. The concepts highlight a vibrant pink and purple gradient upper, paired with a bright electric green Swoosh and Kobe's Sheath logo on the tongue. Large 'KOBE' lettering decorates the medial side of the boot, echoing the classic design language from the original 2013 pair.
It is important to note that these images are concept renders based on initial leak details and do not represent official Nike product photography. The official Nike Mercurial Superfly 11 Elite 'Mambacurial' is expected to hit stores in late 2026.
Insane Nike Mercurial Superfly 11 & Vapor 17 Kobe "Mamba" Boots Leaked
BG Pathum United 26-27 Home Kit Released
Thai League 1 side BG Pathum United has officially revealed its new home kit for the 26-27 season, made by Nike. The new design stays true to the club's traditional aesthetic while introducing updated accenting and template features.
The BG Pathum United 26-27 home shirt features a royal blue base with dark navy collar and sleeve cuffs. White panels run down the sides of the jersey to provide a clean contrast. The Nike Swoosh is located on the right chest in white, opposite the club crest, with main sponsor LEO featured prominently across the front.
Designed for the upcoming Thai League 1 campaign, the kit is completed with blue shorts and socks matching the primary color scheme of the jersey.
New DFB-Pokal Youth Broadcast Graphics
The German Football Association (DFB) has introduced an updated broadcast graphics package for the DFB-Pokal Nachwuchs youth competition for the 26-27 season. However, the new visual overlay—used during live broadcasts and official streams, has immediately drawn criticism from design-conscious fans following the tournament's first-round matches. Big thanks to @truksterrr.
Critics and graphic designers pointed out several noticeable design flaws in the new scoreboard and matchup banners. The graphic features a dark green bar with a central DFB-Pokal trophy icon separating team names, scores, and crests. Specific complaints highlight poor font selection, bad kerning, uneven spacing between elements, and misaligned club logos that give the overlay an unpolished and low-budget appearance.
As live streaming of youth football continues to expand, fans expect clean, professional presentation even at junior levels. It remains to be seen whether the DFB will refine the graphics package or fix the alignment issues for subsequent rounds of the 26-27 campaign.
Boca Juniors 26-27 Home Kit Concept Edits by Franco Carabajal
Following the official reveal of the Boca Juniors 26-27 home kit by Adidas, graphic designer Franco Carabajal (@FrancooC07) has published concept edits visualizing alternative takes on the new jersey. Using official launch photos featuring Leandro Paredes, the edits explore how subtle design adjustments could alter the overall aesthetic of the Xeneize home shirt.
The concepts focus primarily on the framing of the iconic yellow chest band and the shirt's collar. One variation introduces clean white borders above and below the horizontal band alongside matching white V-neck trim. Another version retains the yellow collar while adding thin white piping to outline the central stripe, recalling classic Boca Juniors jerseys that incorporated white details.
While the official Adidas 26-27 home kit utilizes a dual-tone blue effect framing the chest stripe, these concept renders highlight how small details like contrasting stripe borders can offer a different perspective on Boca's iconic kit.
Jablonec 26-27 Away Kit Released
Czech First League club FK Jablonec and new technical partner Macron have officially unveiled the team's new away shirt for the 26-27 season. This release completes the club's kit set for the campaign, following the earlier reveals of their green home kit and orange third kit.
The Macron FK Jablonec 26-27 away shirt features a clean white base accented by subtle green vertical pinstripes. Look closer at the design and you will notice intricate custom details embedded directly within the stripes, incorporating elements of Jablonec's modern visual identity. Dark green detailing highlights the collar, sleeve cuffs, sponsor logo, and club crest to deliver a sharp look. Dark green shorts and white socks with green trims complete the full strip.
The 26-27 collection marks the first season of Jablonec's new partnership with Italian sportswear brand Macron, who replaced previous kit supplier Capelli.
No More Uhlsport: Nike MAS Fez 26-27 Home Kit Released
Moroccan Botola Pro club MAS Fès (Maghreb Association Sportive de Fès) has officially launched its new home kit for the 26-27 season. Manufactured by Nike, the release represents the first home jersey produced under the kit partnership signed between the brand and the Moroccan club.
The Nike MAS Fès 26-27 home shirt stays true to the club's traditional look, featuring bold black and yellow vertical stripes across the front and sleeves. The top is finished with a yellow V-neck collar and a white Nike Swoosh on the right chest, while the MAS Fès crest sits on the left.
Sponsor branding includes TGCC across the front center, VitrA above the Nike logo, and Pare-Brise Express on the left sleeve, completing the design for the upcoming season.