Many Crazy Designs - History of German Karneval Kits
Jan 1, 2022, by John
The German Karneval time arrives in November every year, bringing with it multiple interesting special kit designs. Karneval, or Fastnacht as it is known in some regions, is especially popular in the areas near the Rhein river, with the masses going out and dressing up in costumes. So it comes as no surprise that football teams from this region like to celebrate the occasion with special outfits of their own.
We wanted to take a look at the history of Karneval-themed kits, since they have not been around for very long.
1. FC Köln
FC Köln first released a Karneval shirt for their 2013-14 2. Bundesliga campaign. Kit supplier Erima went above and beyond, setting a high bar for jerseys to come. Current kit manufacturer Uhlsport have since taken over the tradition of a Karneval shirt, 2017-18 (still Erima) being the only season in recent years without one.
2013-14
2014-15
.jpg)
2015-16
2016-17
2018-19
2019-20
2020-21
2021-22
1. FSV Mainz 05
Mainz 05 were lucky to have switched from Nike to Lotto back in 2015. They were instantly rewarded with their first ever Fastnacht shirt for the 2015-16 season, which was re-used for the next year as well. Lotto and current kit supplier Kappa have since always released an annual Fastnacht jersey.
It is quite clear that Lotto took very timid steps at first, only adding colors to a red base, but after several years they went all in with the crazy Fastnacht designs.
2015-17
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20
2020-21
2021-22
Fortuna Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf released their first and only "Narrentrikot" (Jester-jersey) for the 2017-18 2. Bundesliga season. Made by Uhlsport, it features a half white, half red design inspired by Hoppeditz, a fictional jester from Düsseldorf's Karneval. The city crest is placed in the middle of the chest and there are five symbols specific to Düsseldorf's Karneval at the bottom of the shirt.
2017-18
KFC Uerdingen
KFC Uerdingen, based in the city of Krefeld, also released their only ever Karneval shirt in 2017. It is mainly blue and features lots of small, lighter blue jester's caps all over the front. There is also a yellow and black jester's cap placed above the club logo.
2017-18
Alemmania Aachen
Aachen released their first ever Karneval jersey earlier this week. Made by Capelli, it combines the club's colors black and yellow, rather than going for a brighter, more confetti-like look.
The base of the jersey is black with 11 diagonal yellow stripes on the front as a reference to November 11th, which marks the start of Karneval. The sleeves feature a very different design; they are covered in a black and yellow diamond pattern to look more like something from Karneval.
2021-22
Fortuna Köln
Fortuna Köln also released their first ever Karneval shirt earlier this week.
It is based on the Capelli Caracara teamwear template. It features red and white vertical stripes on the front. The sleeves, back and the top of the front section all come in solid red. The four white squares, Capelli's trademark appearance, run down below the round, white collar.
To add to the Karneval look, little confetti pieces are printed all over the front in blue, yellow, green and red. This makes for a similar aesthetic to the FC Köln Karneval jersey, released several weeks ago.
2021-22
Bonner SC
Bonn has released two Karneval shirts already. Lotto made one that was used for 2019-20 as well as 2020-21, with new kit manufacturer Uhlsport taking the design to another level this season.
2019-21
2021-22
What is your opinion on Karneval jerseys? Comment below.
Club Africain 26-27 Third Kit Released
Following the unveiling of their home kit earlier two weeks ago, Tunisian giants Club Africain and technical sponsor Kelme have officially launched the club's new third kit for the 26-27 campaign.
The Kelme Club Africain 26-27 third jersey delivers a sleek and stealthy design, featuring a black base elevated by an intricate tonal graphic pattern with calligraphic undertones across the front and sleeves. Strong contrast comes via the classic fold-over collar, styled in red with thin white tipping, matched by solid red sleeve cuffs. Below the rear collar, the shirt includes the club motto "Beyond the last breath" stamped in red.
The shirt is finished with white details for the Kelme paw logo and front sponsor Ooredoo, sitting alongside the traditional red and white Club Africain crest. Matching black shorts and socks complete the full look for the Tunisian side.
Adidas Marseille 27-28
No more Puma - the return of the Three Stripes. More about the Marseille 27-28 kits very soon on Footy Headlines (and already on Kit Creator).
Boca Juniors Tribute: Sint-Truiden 26-27 European Kit Released
Belgian Pro League club Sint-Truidense VV has officially unveiled its new European kit for the 26-27 season, produced by regional brand Olympic. The special strip was revealed during the premiere of the club documentary 'Expeditie Kanarie: de weg naar Europa' at CC De Bogaard, celebrating STVV's historic first qualification for the main stages of European competition in club history.
The Olympic Sint-Truiden 26-27 European jersey draws heavy inspiration from Boca Juniors while paying tribute to the club's iconic late-1980s 'BT-shirt'. It features a royal blue base highlighted by a bold yellow horizontal chest band that accommodates the Maruhan sponsor logo. The STVV crest and Olympic branding are centered neatly above the chest stripe, complemented by yellow trim along the V-neck collar and sleeve cuffs. Matching blue shorts and yellow socks complete the look.
Sint-Truiden will wear the new kit throughout their 26-27 UEFA Conference League league phase campaign, where their fixtures include matchups against Ajax, Hajduk Split, SK Brann, FC Midtjylland, FC Lugano, and FC Iberia 1999 Tbilisi.
England Wears Red Away Against Croatia | 7-0 Victory
England took the pitch in their red 2026 away kit on Saturday night and delivered a historic performance, sweeping aside Croatia 7-0 in their UEFA Nations League clash at Stadion HNK Rijeka. The Three Lions lined up in their striking "Speed Red" jersey paired with obsidian navy shorts and red socks, switching from their primary white home uniform to avoid a kit clash with Croatia's famous red-and-white checkered home design.
The red and navy proved to be a good contrast, as Croatia's kit has white sleeves, shorts and socks - No problems with the red checkers. England dominated from the opening whistle to hand Croatia the heaviest defeat in their football history. Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka each scored twice, Jude Bellingham delivered an outstanding performance with a goal and three assists, and Anthony Gordon and substitute Morgan Rogers also found the back of the net to complete the ruthless display.
Nike reintroduced the classic red colorway for England's 2026 away strip, combining the vibrant red base with deep obsidian and crisp white accents along the collar and side inserts. Red away shirts hold a celebrated place in England's history, and Saturday's emphatic seven-goal triumph in Rijeka adds another memorable chapter to the look.
Nîmes Olympique 26-27 Octobre Rose Kit Released
French club Nîmes Olympique has officially unveiled a special kit for Octobre Rose, joining the campaign to raise breast cancer awareness. Produced by local brand Eldera, the limited-edition jersey was launched ahead of the team's home clash against Hyères at the Stade des Antonins.
The Eldera Nîmes Olympique 26-27 Octobre Rose shirt is predominantly soft pink, detailed with an intricate vertical jacquard-style pattern running through the fabric. All application details are rendered in crisp monochrome white, including the Eldera chest logo, the simplified club crest, and the city's emblematic crocodile and palm tree motif. The front of the shirt features "Passion 1937", the club's recently formed endowment fund, alongside white paneling along the flanks and striped trim on the collar and cuffs.
Priced at €69, the commemorative kit went on sale in very limited quantities at the stadium boutique. The shirts worn by the squad during the match will be auctioned off following the final whistle to raise funds directly for breast cancer screening and research initiatives.
PSG 27-28 Home Kit Leaked
Based on leaked details from myach_lab, our partner @whatthekit_x have created a mockup of the PSG 2027-28 home shirt. The iconic blue-red Hechter stripe remains, while the shirt gradually fades into a darker shade towards the bottom, with a red collar section connecting to the central stripe.
