Worst Sponsor-Free Kits Ever? Nike J League Shirts Look Awful Without Logos
Nike are selling sponsorless versions of J League sides Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Uruawa Red Diamonds' kits, but the extremely low Swoosh and badge placement makes for a very jarring look.
Worst Sponsorless Kits Ever? J League Shirts Stand Out for the Wrong Reasons
Most football shirt fans and collectors would argue that kits look better without a logo (or logos) splashed all over them, while others say that sponsors can provide balance to a jersey and compliment the design. The latter group will therefore feel somewhat vindicated by the latest sponsor-free shirts on sale from Nike's Japanese website.
Among the regular J League kits there are sponsorless versions of Urawa Red Diamonds and Sanfrecce Hiroshima's home shirts. At the time of their release, the unusually low placement of the Swoosh and badge caught our eye, but on the sponsor-free version it's even more apparent.
The reason for applying the crest and Nike logo so low was to accomodate the sponsor logos which are placed towards the shoulders of each team's match kits. Applying logos on top of the curved seam that runs along the top of the chest of Nike's ADV Dri-Fit template would not work very well for aesthetic and functional reasons, so Nike shifted everything downwards by a few centimetres.
When the sponsor logos are removed - or rather not applied in the first place - the low placement of the Swoosh and the club crest no longer serves a purpose, and results in a decidedly bizarre look. Their positioning is somewhat balanced out on the sponsored version of the shirts, but in the absence of those logos, the balance is thrown way off by the excess blank space on the top half of the shirt. Proof that no sponsor doesn't always look better?
What do you think of this unusual look? Comment below.
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Novara 26-27 Third Kit Released
Italian Serie C side Novara FC and technical partner Erreà have officially released the club's new third kit for the 26-27 season. Following the release of their traditional azzurro home strip earlier in the summer, the new third shirt delivers a stealthy, understated alternative aesthetic for the current campaign.
The Erreà Novara 26-27 third jersey is built on a solid black base and adopts a full monochrome palette. Instead of the standard club crest, the chest features Novara's historic crossed shield rendered in clean white embroidery. Erreà's logos on the right chest and shoulders, alongside long-time front-of-shirt sponsor Igor Gorgonzola and secondary partners Cristanini Viaggi and Intesa Pour Homme, are similarly applied in monochrome white.
Completing the strip, matching black shorts and black socks with white accents and crest detailing round off the uniform for the 26-27 Serie C campaign.
RB Linense 26-27 Away Kit Released
Spanish Tercera Federación side Real Balompédica Linense, popularly known as La Balona, has officially unveiled its new away kit for the 26-27 season. Produced by long-term technical partner Hummel, the new strip follows the release of the club's classic striped home kit earlier this summer.
Presented under the slogan "Segunda Piel" (Second Skin), the Hummel RB Linense 26-27 away jersey combines a deep navy base with rich gold detailing. Across the front, the shirt features tonal diagonal sashes that create a dynamic textured look. Gold accents appear on the V-neck collar, the sleeve cuffs, and Hummel's trademark shoulder chevrons, which are matched by a monochrome metallic gold club crest and Lotus chest sponsor.
The new away uniform is completed by matching navy and gold shorts and socks. The RB Linense 26-27 away shirt is already available for purchase through the club's official offices.
US Amal Tiznit 26-27 Home Kit Released
Moroccan club US Amal Tiznit have officially unveiled their new home kit for the 26-27 campaign, manufactured by domestic sportswear brand Bang Sports. The launch arrives during a historic chapter for the side, having achieved back-to-back promotions to compete in Morocco's top flight, the Botola Pro, for the first time in club history.
The Bang Sports Amal Tiznit 2026-27 home jersey is centered around the club's traditional sky blue colorway, decorated with intricate Moroccan geometric patterns across the entire front. Gold accents line the V-neck collar, while white side panels and sleeve trim bring contrast to the shirt. On the reverse, the kit adopts tonal vertical pinstripes alongside clean white player names and squad numbering.
Several sponsor marks are placed across the chest, sleeves, and lower back, complemented by Bang Sports branding and an authentic licensed patch near the hem. The new strip will be worn throughout US Amal Tiznit's debut season in the Moroccan top flight.
Match Debut? Kylian Mbappé Back in On Boots Ahead of France vs Turkey
Kylian Mbappé has once again trained in prototype On football boots during France's camp ahead of their UEFA Nations League fixture against Turkey. Following the conclusion of his long-standing partnership with Nike and his high-profile move to the Swiss brand, the French forward has tested On LightSpray prototype cleats in training sessions. Despite testing the new boots behind the scenes and in training, Mbappé wore disguised, unbranded whiteout Nike Mercurial Superfly cleats for the first competitive match against Atlético, leaving his boot choice for the clash with Turkey as one of the key gear storylines to watch.
Official: Santos Announce Adidas Kit Deal From 2028
Santos FC and Adidas have officially confirmed a major agreement that will see the German sportswear giant become the club's official kit supplier starting in the 2028 season. The six-year partnership, running through 2033, marks the third collaboration between both parties following previous stints in 1980–1981 and 1984–1988. Long-time partner Umbro will continue to manufacture the team's kits until its current contract expires at the end of 2027, with Santos opting for Adidas due to expanded global marketing, superior commercial terms, and international distribution across approximately 120 Adidas flagship stores across the Americas, Europe, and Asia.