Have Special Kits Gone Too Far?
Apr 6, 2024, by Chris
- Borussia Dortmund Special Kits: Dortmund has released four special kits in five seasons, celebrating their stadium's 50th anniversary with one, and fans are largely supportive due to the club sticking to their traditional colors.
- AS Roma "Origins" Kit: Roma debuted a special kit, dubbed "Origins," against their city rivals, which has a Manchester United 2021-22 pattern, dividing fan opinion.
- 1. FC Union Berlin's Away Kit Protest: Union Berlin wore their away "Star Trek" themed kit at home, which sparked protests from fans who saw it as a marketing stunt and want it banned at home games.
Today, Borussia Dortmund, AS Roma, and 1. FC Union Berlin took to the field in special kits, each sparking a unique response.
BVB are a exemplary when it comes to preserving the club's colors
Borussia Dortmund - 4 Special Kits Within 5 Years
BVB lost 0-1 against rivals Stuttgart, who are now 7 points ahead - BVB might fail to qualify for the Champions League.
Dortmund celebrated the 50-year anniversary of their stadium with a special kit. What was possibly even more special than the shirt itself was the tifo of the fans to celebrate the anniversary.
#BVB-Choreo zum 50. Geburtstag des Westfalenstadions. ⚫️🟡 pic.twitter.com/0yU8zWGpXJ
— Patrick Berger (@berger_pj) April 6, 2024
For Borussia Dortmund, it was the fourth special-edition kit within five seasons. Next season, BVB will release five kits; however, Dortmund fans apparently have no problem with the club releasing special kits.
In fact, Borussia Dortmund is exemplary when it comes to staying true to its classic kit colors, which might be one reason why the fans have nothing against special kits. BVB only has black and yellow kits instead of experimenting with colors that have nothing to do with the club.
AS Roma: "Origin" Kit With Manchester United Design
AS Roma debuted a special derby kit in their match against city rivals Lazio. Called the "Origins" kit, it has the old Manchester United 2021-22 kit pattern - quite a joke to call the kit "origin."
Still, the full combination of the kit with white shorts and black socks managed to elevate its overall appearance. However, opinions remained divided among supporters.
1. FC Union Berlin: Away Kit at Home
Union Berlin and its shirt sponsor Paramount+ opted for a special move by wearing a "Star Trek" themed kit. However, instead of putting the Star Trek logo on the red home kit, Union Berlin placed the logo on the away kit.
The decision to put the Star Trek logo on the away kit and wear the away kit at home led to protests from organized fans who viewed it as a bad marketing stunt. The fans were even calling for a ban on such marketing gimmicks during home games.
Clubs need to keep a good balance between tradition and commercial interests
The differing reactions to these special kits underscore the challenge clubs face in balancing tradition with innovation while also navigating commercial interests. As clubs continue to experiment with alternate designs and collaborations, they must carefully consider the sentiments of their loyal fanbase to maintain their connection and support.
It seems like clubs will always find a reason for a special kit, but is it always a good idea?
Are you a fan of special kits? Do you understand Union Berlin fans' desire to ban away kits at home (which is actually a rule in the Premier League)? Let us know in the comments below.
FK Sarajevo 26-27 Away Kit Released
FK Sarajevo has officially unveiled its new away kit for the 2026-27 season, crafted by Adidas to celebrate the club's upcoming 80th anniversary. The shirt features a white base elevated with metallic gold accents throughout, including the monochromatic club crest, Adidas Three Stripes along the shoulders, collar and hem trim, and the Turkish Airlines chest sponsor. A special 80-year jubilee detail is incorporated into the release, honoring eight decades of history since the Bosnian club's founding in 1946.
VfB Lübeck 26-27 Home Kit Released
German Regionalliga Nord side VfB Lübeck and kit manufacturer Capelli Sport have officially unveiled the club's new home shirt for the 26-27 season, following up the release of the away kit. The Capelli VfB Lübeck 26-27 home jersey features a vibrant green base detailed with thin white vertical pinstripes and a subtle tonal diagonal texture across the front.
