Nike To Reduce Number Of Sponsored Football Teams?
Some weeks ago, we reported about Nike's changed strategy in football. Now after we could reveal that US Women's club Portland Thorns will become Nike's second 'AAA' team, we asked ourselves if Nike will supply fewer soccer teams in the future.
Since 2020, Nike has not extended the endorsement deals with dozens of their players, including the likes of Sterling, Foden, Neymar, Lewandowski, Ibrahimovic and Neymar. This is certainly part of Nike's new strategy in football.
Nike's Kit Deals With Football Clubs in 2021
Nike currently sponsors dozens of profiled football clubs, of which nine are on the brand's internal highest level. Nike's current 'Elite Teams' are Atletico, Barcelona, Chelsea, Galatasaray, Inter, Liverpool, PSG, Leipzig and Tottenham.
Nike's club deals all have extremely long duration
However, it seems very unlikely that Nike will reduce its number of top-level teams soon. If we look at the contracts Nike has with its biggest soccer teams, none of them runs out before the mid-2020s.
Nike's Biggest Club Sponsor Deal
- Atletico (2019-2026)
- Barcelona (2018-2028)
- Chelsea (2017-2032)
- Inter (2014-2024)
- Galatasaray (2014-2024)
- Leipzig (2014-2024)
- Liverpool (2020-2030)
- PSG (2019-2032)
- Tottenham (2019-2033)
What is eye-catching is that Nike signed or extended many of the deals ahead of the COVID-19 crisis, which means they are a bit overpriced at current standards.
There is a major difference between Nike's boot and kit deals - in contrast to the boot endorsement deals, deals with football clubs directly generate income for Nike.
The deals seem overpriced after COVID-19
Another difference to the boot endorsement deals is that there are thousands of player boot contracts, of which hundreds expire each year. As seen above, those of its biggest teams do not run put before 2024 at the soonest.
However, the long deals not 100% mean that Nike will make the kits until the end of the contract - AS Roma and Nike terminated their partnership and technical sponsorship agreement in advance. The original deal was signed for 10 years until the 2024-25 season.
Nike also sponsors a range of national teams, who all have contracts until at least the mid-2020s.
Nike won't be able to get out of the contracts cheap, if they want
All in all, we do not expect that any Nike soccer deals with its biggest clubs will end soon, but you never know...
Do you think Nike will end any of their contracts with their partnered teams? Would the Swoosh sign those deals again with today's knowledge? Comment below.
Vintage Football Shirts
from Cult Kits
2001 Brent And Colleagues For England
1998/99 Fidelis Andria Home Shirt (XL) Biemme
2006/07 USA Donovan #21 Home Shirt (M) Nike
2012 Nagoya Grampus #12 Home Shirt (S) Le Coq
2011/12 Roma *BNWT* Away Shirt (S) Kappa
2011/12 Torino Home Shirt (M) Kappa
1998 Brazil Training Shirt (XL) Nike
2013/14 Hellas Verona Track Jacket (S) Nike
2012/13 Manchester United Scholes #22 Home Shirt (M) Nike
1994 Germany Reusable Face Mask
Dorking Wanderers 26-27 Home & Away Kits Released
English National League South side Dorking Wanderers have officially revealed their new home and away kits for the 2026-2027 season.
The new 26-27 home shirt introduces a classic and timeless design, stripping things back to a traditional aesthetic. It features bold red and white vertical stripes that draw inspiration from historic European football heritage. To complete the clean and authentic on-pitch look, the home jersey is perfectly paired with deep blue shorts and traditional white socks.
Following the launch of the primary strip, Dorking Wanderers also introduced their new 26-27 away kit, which delivers a much sharper and modern edge. This secondary jersey is defined by striking black and orange stripes, creating a strong contrast between dark and vibrant tones.
Notably, the club has thoughtfully replaced the betting sponsor with health and wellbeing partner Nuffield Health for all junior kits, while also actively reducing the price of youth shirts by £6 down to £39 to help younger fans afford their colors.
Which of these two striped Dorking Wanderers designs do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below.
Special Goiás 2026 'Romaria' Kit Released
Brazilian side Goiás EC and technical sponsor Diadora have officially launched a special edition "Romaria" kit for the 2026 season. This unique jersey is designed to honor the deep-rooted faith and cultural traditions of the club's supporters, known as the Emerald Nation.
Tying heavily into the local religious pilgrimages that take place in the state of Goiás, the release operates under the fitting motto, "Faith is not explained. It is carried," successfully blending regional heritage with modern football apparel.
The design of the new Goiás 2026 Romaria shirt is anchored by an off-white base that is heavily detailed with an intricate, tonal graphic pattern. This all-over print features ornate filigree and religious iconography directly inspired by the Divino Pai Eterno (Divine Eternal Father), a central figure in the state's famous annual pilgrimage. To contrast the subtle background artwork, Diadora has applied its logo and the classic circular 'G' club crest in a sharp, dark green on the chest, while subtle gold piping accents the shoulder lines.
The most striking colorful details of the kit are reserved for the sleeve cuffs, which feature vibrant, tricolor bands of blue, green, and yellow. Upon closer inspection, these colored stripes are inscribed with repeating "Divino Pai Eterno" text, further cementing the jersey's homage to the region's spiritual traditions.
What are your thoughts on this intricately detailed Diadora and Goiás Romaria kit? Let us know in the comments below.
Aldosivi 2026 Home and Away Kits Released
Kappa has officially unveiled the new home and away kits for Argentine side Aldosivi ahead of the second half of the 2026 season. Launched under the campaign themes of "Familia" and "Barrio," the Italian sportswear brand has delivered a set of bespoke designs that celebrate the club's rich history and deep connection to its local community in Mar del Plata.
The Kappa Aldosivi 2026 home shirt is part of the "Familia" collection, which serves as a tribute to the inherited passion that unites different generations of the club's supporters. The design stays remarkably true to the team's historical visual identity, featuring the classic green and yellow vertical stripes. The green stripes have a subtle pattern.
Complementing the primary strip is the new Aldosivi 2026 away kit, introduced as part of the "Barrio" collection to honor the local neighborhood and the people who define the club's everyday identity. This alternative jersey opts for a modern look in black with gradient logos and elements.
