Adidas Show Off Kit Prototypes
Oct 10, 2021, by Chris
Adidas have provided some rare insight into how they make their kits for the biggest clubs.
Adidas Designer Talks About How Football Kits Are Made
For a story of British newspaper i, Adidas explain how their football shirts go from ideas in club groups and board meetings to the finished article. We have summed up the most interesting parts of it for you.
For the story, Adidas have also shown off prototypes of their 2020-2021 Humanrace football kits - a rare thing for the Three Stripes.
The prototypes of the Adidas Humanrace 2020-2021 jerseys give us a look at four Juventus sample shirts as well as a few Manchester United prototypes.
It is a 20-Month Process From Concept Phase To Launch
Andrew Dolan, a product manager at Adidas who specializes in football apparel, told i about the process of creating a football kit.
“Typically, the process takes around 20 months from start to finish, with the concept phase, sampling, and testing, sharing ranges with our global markets, and then on to mass production."
"Arsenal kits have taken on a cult status"
Football shirts: The process
There are three phases in the process of creating a football kit - Design & Concept, Manufacturing & Launch.
Step 1: Design and concept
“Each season, we start completely fresh. We work from a blank canvas that we then fill with ideas and inspiration, whether that’s from the clubs we work with, the city’s they’re in, or through modern culture, we really look everywhere for that spark that can give us an idea.
Step 2: Manufacturing and production
The design is signed off between 10 to 12 months before a kit is launched (June-August). Production starts three to four months later (around December/January), Then there are further three to four months of shipping products all over the world.
The design is signed off between 10 to 12 months before a kit is launched
“There’s so much to the process that needs to happen after the initial design phase and sign-offs from the clubs are complete that people are maybe not aware of. This is also why when some jerseys sell out quickly, it can take three to four months for them to come back in stock.”
Step 3: The kit launch
Adidas try to tell a story with every kit launch and to give every big club a good time slot for their launch of the kit.
“There are numerous factors to consider when deciding launch dates, but we always try to give each club a specific moment where they are the focus.”
Andrew Dolan also talked about Adidas' Arsenal kits, which "seem to have taken on somewhat of a cult status, which is such an honor, but honestly not something I really could have foreseen happening".
Are you happy with Adidas' kits for the 21-22 season? Comment below, and check out the full story of how football shirts come to life on i.
Special Detail on the FA Community Shield Sleeve Patch
The sleeve patch worn during recent 2026 FA Community Shield match featured a unique, customized touch: the ribbon running across the shield was split into red and sky blue, representing the primary colors of Arsenal and Manchester City.
This bespoke ribbon colorway tradition first debuted at the 2015 FA Community Shield in the clash between Arsenal and Chelsea.
The only exceptions to this colored-ribbon tradition occurred in 2020 (Arsenal vs. Liverpool) and 2025 (Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool), where the ribbons on the patch were rendered in neutral white. This adjustment is believed to be the FA's standard protocol to maintain visual balance when both competing clubs share the same primary kit color (red).
Another unique scenario took place in 2021. Even though Manchester City wore their away kit against Leicester City, the patch still featured both clubs' traditional home colors. This was possible because City’s sky blue and Leicester’s royal blue possess distinguishable shades.
Big thanks to @jerseystory_vn for spotting this detail and creating the collage.
Gianluigi Donnarumma Prefers Replica Kits
During the 2026 FA Community Shield, Gianluigi Donnarumma was once again spotted wearing a replica jersey on the pitch rather than an authentic player-issue shirt. Details such as the embroidered crest and the standard dryCELL branding confirmed his kit choice.
This marks the second consecutive season since joining Manchester City that the Italian goalkeeper has opted for the replica version. The reason stems from Puma's player-issue shirts featuring a tighter, more athletic cut, whereas Donnarumma prefers a looser, roomier fit for maximum comfort and freedom of movement.
Big thanks to @jerseystory_vn for spotting this detail and creating the comparison graphic.
Rodri to Wear Number 16 at FC Barcelona
Incoming FC Barcelona signing Rodri is set to wear his trademark number 16 jersey following his big-money switch from Manchester City. The Spanish international midfielder has built an iconic association with the number throughout his career at club level with Manchester City and on the international stage with Spain.
The number 16 shirt had previously belonged to young midfielder Fermín López. Following direct conversations between the players, Fermín has agreed to vacate the number and switch to the number 7 shirt, allowing Rodri to take his favored jersey ahead of the 26-27 season.
Real Zaragoza 26-27 Away Kit Released
The new Real Zaragoza 26-27 away kit was officially launched, bringing back the club's traditional "tomate" (tomato) red look for the upcoming season.
Manufactured by Adidas, the Real Zaragoza 2026-27 away jersey features a vibrant red base complemented by a vertical blue and white stripe running down the left chest behind the club crest. White Adidas Three Stripes sit on the shoulders, while the round collar and sleeve cuffs feature subtle white and blue trim details. Caravan Fragancias returns as the main front-of-shirt sponsor.
Matching red shorts and socks with white accents and "RZ" detailing complete the full Real Zaragoza 26-27 away strip.
