The Oddest Kit Makers In Football's History
Nov 30, 2021, by Khoi
- Levi's: The jeans company briefly made kits for the Mexico national team in 1978.
- Corona Sports: The beer brand manufactured and sponsored Santos Laguna's kits for five seasons, beginning in 1996.
- Emporio Armani: The fashion house recently began producing kits for Napoli in 2021.
Having a presence in football can be a powerful marketing tool for sportswear company. This why many have attempted to break into this lucrative market. Here's a look at some of the prime examples. Credits Casacas LuchoLasS to for these findings.
Levi's - Mexico National Team (1978)
When you think of Levi's, the first thing that comes to mind would be their wide-range of fashionable jeans. But there was a time when the American clothing company tried their hands on making football kits.
It was 1978 when Levi's picked up Mexico. Quite a good timing considering the nation qualified for the World Cup that year in Argentina. Sadly, Mexico crashed out that year without registering a single point.
It was Levi's first and also last presence in the football scene.
Corona Sports - Santos Laguna (1996-2002)
Probably the weirdest, most out of place among all the entries here. Corona Group (yes, the exact beer brand that you're thinking of) appeared on Santos Laguna's kit as both manufacturer and main sponsor.
The reason? Santos Laguna ended their relationship with the previous kit maker that year and Corona, who is also the club's owner, decided that they would do things in-house.
Corona Sports would remain on the shirt for 5 seasons before being replaced by Puma.
Converse - Atlético Nacional (2001-2002)
Mostly known for their street fashion clothing and shoes. Converse tried out their skills in football in 2001. Their first customer was Colombian club Atlético Nacional.
Just like Levi's, Converse lasted just one season before tapping out.
Lonsdale - Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland (Early 2000s')
Lonsdale is a brand specialised in boxing equipment. For a few seasons in the 2000s', the brand emerged as kit maker for several Premier League clubs at the time.
As seen here are Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland.
Palace/adidas - Juventus (2019)
Technically, this is only a collaboration and not an outright take over of a club's kit. But in 2019, fashion brand Palace came together with Adidas to create a special kit for Juventus.
Similar to Converse, Palace is famous for their skateboarding clothing lines. The move was to boost Juventus image outside football.
Emporio Armani - Napoli (2021)
Of course we have to mention this. The most recent entry into football is by Emporio Armani. The Italian fashion powerhouse took over from Kappa to produce kits for Napoli.
For their first attempt, it is actually quite decent. Just maybe slow down with the release a bit.
What do you think of these outside brands branching into football as kit makers? Comment below.
Empoli 26-27 Third Kit Released
Empoli FC and Kappa have officially unveiled the club's new third kit for the 26-27 season. Completing the Tuscan side's wardrobe alongside their previously launched home and away strips, the fresh look draws inspiration directly from the city's local heritage.
The Kappa Empoli 26-27 third shirt features a dark navy base highlighted by bold taupe and coffee brown geometric wing patterns across the raglan sleeves and side panels. The dynamic graphic motif is inspired by the wings of the statue in Piazza della Vittoria, an iconic symbol of the city of Empoli.
Monochromatic light slate detailing rounds off the design, applied to the Empoli crest, Kappa Omini logos, and sponsor branding including Computer Gross and Kühner. Built on Kappa's Kombat Pro performance template, the new third kit is now available via the club's official channels and select retailers.
Manchester City 26-27 Third Kit Evokes Memories of Chelsea 03-04
Manchester City's 2026-27 third kit evokes memories of Chelsea's 2003-04 away shirt, with both designs featuring a white base and a blue gradient stripe running vertically down the centre.
Interestingly, the Chelsea shirt was carried over as the club's third kit for the 2004-05 season, making the design familiar across two consecutive campaigns.
The story behind Manchester City's new design is just as interesting. Created through PUMA's AI Creator platform, the shirt won the brand's kit design competition in late 2024, after nearly 180,000 submissions. It was one of 10 finalists before ultimately being selected as Manchester City's official third kit.
Thanks to @jersey_story for the information.
AS Cittadella 26-27 Away Kit Released
Italian club AS Cittadella and technical sponsor Erreà have officially unveiled their new away kit for the 2026-27 season. Following the release of their home and centenary strips earlier in the summer, the new alternate shirt celebrates the historic roots that formed the club.
The Erreà AS Cittadella 26-27 away jersey features a clean white base highlighted by a prominent horizontal chest block split into light blue and green. This dual-color element honors the club's founding in 1973 through the merger of local sides US Cittadellese (blue and white) and AC Olympia (green and white). The look is finished with a navy V-neck collar, matching sleeve cuffs with green and blue piping, and the club crest placed on the left chest.
O'Neills Royale Union Saint-Gilloise 26-27 Third Kit Released - No More Nike
Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and Irish brand O'Neills have officially launched the club's new third kit for the 26-27 campaign. The release completes Union SG's first full kit set under O'Neills, following the conclusion of the club's multi-year contract with Nike.
The Union SG 26-27 third jersey blends the club's signature yellow and blue into a dark green base, celebrating the natural scenery of Duden Park. The shirt features thin navy pinstripes alongside an intricate tonal pattern inspired by the historic stained glass window from the team's 100-year-old stadium stand. A contrasting navy polo collar and cuffs frame the jersey, while the club crest, O'Neills branding, and Orange sponsor logo appear in rich gold.
The O'Neills Royale Union Saint-Gilloise 26-27 third shirt is available now through the club's official online store in both short-sleeved and long-sleeved editions.
Slavia Praha 26-27 Third Kit Released
Slavia Praha and Castore have officially unveiled their new third kit for the 2026-27 season. Designed in collaboration with renowned Czech graphic designer Pavel Fuksa, the shirt completes the club's wardrobe for the campaign following the earlier launch of their home and away strips.
The Castore Slavia Prague 26-27 third jersey introduces a pale butter-yellow base paired with dark navy accents. The standout element across the shirt is a subtle tonal topographical pattern of contour lines interspersed with small navy elevation triangles, symbolizing the peaks the club has conquered throughout its history and its drive to reach new heights. A dark navy V-neck collar, navy sleeve cuffs, and matching side inserts frame the look.
Completing the clean aesthetic, the shirt features monochrome navy branding, including the Castore wings on the right chest, the eToro front sponsor logo, and Slavia's iconic upside-down star crest topped with two championship stars on the left chest. Pale yellow shorts and socks round off the full 26-27 third kit.
Bangkok United 26-27 Kits Revealed
Thai League powerhouse Bangkok United have officially unveiled their new 2026-27 kit collection made by Adidas. Presented under the campaign slogan "Built to Rise," the launch reveals a complete and colorful lineup of outfield and goalkeeper jerseys for the upcoming season.
The 26-27 home kit is centered around the club's signature red base, paired with a tonal horizontal stripe pattern across the front and classic white Adidas three stripes along the shoulders. The away shirt presents a clean white look detailed with red branding and accents. Rounding out the wide-ranging collection are bold alternate options in yellow, rich purple, and soft pink, alongside a dark patterned goalkeeper jersey.
All jerseys in the range incorporate the club crest on the left chest and Adidas logo on the right, accompanied by the team's key sponsors including True and CP. What do you think of Bangkok United's 2026-27 Adidas lineup?
Notts County 26-27 Away Kit Released - Inspired by Juventus
Notts County and Puma have officially unveiled their new away kit for the 2026-27 season. The fresh strip pays homage to one of the most famous and unique relationships in world football, reversing the historical connection between Notts County and Italian giants Juventus.
More than 120 years after Juventus famously adopted Notts County's black and white stripes in 1903, the Magpies return the favor with an all-pink shirt mirroring the Old Lady's original colors. The Puma Notts County 2026-27 away jersey features a clean light pink base paired with black accents on the sleeve cuffs and a buttoned henley collar, finished with monochrome black branding and club crest.
The new Notts County 26-27 away kit is available to purchase now through the club's official retail channels, completing their kit set for the season alongside the traditional striped home shirt and the heritage third kit.
