The Oddest Kit Makers In Football's History
- 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.
Bristol Rovers Announce 5-Year Puma Kit Deal
Bristol Rovers have officially announced a five-year technical kit partnership with Puma, taking effect from the 2026-27 season. Replacing previous supplier Macron, the new agreement is described by club CEO Ritchie Bates as the largest commercial deal in Bristol Rovers' history. Under the partnership, the global sportswear brand will manufacture match kits, replica shirts, and training wear for the men's first team, women's first team, and academy squads.
Coinciding with the announcement, the club also revealed the new Puma Bristol Rovers 2026-27 home kit. The shirt faithfully retains the team's traditional blue and white quartered design, updated with solid blue sleeves and a clean crew neckline.
Adidas CEO Wears Custom Hlaf-and-Half Mexico / South Africa Kit at 2026 World Cup Opening Match
Adidas CEO Björn Gulden caught the attention of football shirt fans at the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup between Mexico and South Africa. For the occasion, Gulden wore a unique, custom-made half-and-half Adidas jersey combining the home kits of both competing nations.
The bespoke shirt features a direct split down the middle, merging the green base and red details of the Mexico 2026 home kit with the yellow and green design of the South Africa 2026 home kit. As both Mexico and South Africa are sponsored by Adidas, the mash-up served as a diplomatic and promotional choice for the brand's chief executive at the tournament's inaugural game.
This split Mexico and South Africa jersey is a one-off custom creation specifically made for the Adidas CEO and will not be available for retail sale. It highlights the brand's prominent presence at the 2026 World Cup right from the opening whistle.
South Korea 2026 World Cup Home Kit Features National Flag on Sleeve
The South Korea 2026 World Cup home kit, made by Nike, has been revealed with a notable detail on the left sleeve. The new jersey prominently displays the South Korean national flag, adding a classic touch to the overall design. This element complements the nation's iconic red base, continuing the visual identity established by Nike for the upcoming tournament.
Following the initial reveal, football fans quickly pointed out that the inclusion of the national flag is a consistent feature in South Korea's kit history. Social media discussions highlighted several past uniforms that also displayed the flag, confirming that this design choice honors a long-standing tradition for the national team.
Puma Czech Republic 2026 Kit Heavily Torn During Match
During a recent 2026 World Cup match, Czech Republic player Pavel Šulc experienced a significant kit malfunction when his Puma jersey was heavily torn. Images from the game show the shirt ripped in several places and hanging in tatters, drawing immediate attention from fans and spectators.
The incident has sparked criticism regarding the durability and quality of Puma's current national team kits. Fans on social media were quick to point out the extreme thinness of the material, with many comparing the fabric to paper. The scene also brought back memories of previous instances where Puma kits were easily damaged during major international tournaments, most notably with the Switzerland team at Euro 2016.
While modern football shirts are designed to be highly lightweight and breathable to aid player performance, this level of tearing raises questions about the balance between advanced materials and basic structural integrity. Puma has yet to officially comment on the exact cause of the material failure.
Travis Scott x Nike Total 90 Football Released
As part of the surprise Travis Scott x Nike Total 90 collection drop on June 11, a special edition Total 90 Academy football has been released.
Tied to the Rip The Script campaign ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the ball features a striking design in gold, black, and green, blending the iconic Total 90 aesthetic with Travis Scott's signature branding.
The football, along with the rest of the capsule, was launched without warning and is available exclusively through Nike's and Travis Scott's official website.
