Adidas Top Teams Split Into Different Tiers?
Dec 25, 2024, by Phan Tich Giay
- Adidas Tier Restructuring: Adidas is reportedly restructuring its sponsored clubs into three tiers—Elite, Local Elite, and Big—starting in the 2025-26 season.
- Tier-Based Benefits: Each tier will have different levels of kit availability, marketing, and design, with Elite clubs having global access to authentic kits while lower tiers have more localized releases or only replicas.
- CEO's Influence: Adidas' new policy is believed to be influenced by CEO Bjørn Gulden, who previously implemented a similar strategy at Puma.
According to new information we have, Adidas is making a complete change to its team tiers for the new season.
Adidas Top Teams Split Into Different Tiers?
From the 25-26 season, the major Adidas clubs are likely to be split into three tiers:
- Elite clubs: Real Madrid, Manchester United, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Liverpool.
- Local elite clubs: Newcastle United, Aston Villa, AS Roma, Celtic, River Plate, Boca Juniors, Flamengo.
- Big clubs: Ajax, Benfica, Lyon, Leicester City, Leeds United, Internacional, Besiktas, ...
Accordingly, each tier will also have different benefits:
- Elite clubs: Authentic kits available in ALL adidas stores globally. Released in multiple lifestyle collections, marketed globally.
- Local elite clubs: New authentic kits with many collections, but only released in the team's countries, maybe more in other continents, markets with potential, not released globally.
- Big clubs: Bespoke design jerseys from Adidas HQ. No authentic kits, replica kits released worldwide.
If this is true, this new Adidas policy is likely a change and improvement by CEO Bjørn Gulden. He is the former CEO of Puma (2016-2022) and has been CEO of Adidas since 1 January 2023. This policy is quite similar to the policy of Puma for its top clubs when he was CEO of Puma.
Do you like the fact that Adidas is supplying authentic kits to more teams for the 25-26 season? Do you like Adidas' new tier system for its teams? Comment below.
Unai Simón Forced to Modify Gloves at 2026 World Cup
During Spain vs Belgium, the Spanish goalkeeper played in a modified pair of Reusch gloves, with the brand's signature "R" logo completely removed. This adjustment was made to meet strict FIFA rules. Big thanks to @jerseystory_vn for spotting this interesting detail.
According to section 18.4.1 of the FIFA Equipment Regulations, a manufacturer's logo on goalkeeper gloves must not exceed 20cm² and can only appear once. Because the full "Reusch" text logo was already printed on the index finger, the additional "R" logo on the back had to be removed.
However, likely due to a referee oversight, Simón still managed to play with his original, unmodified gloves - featuring both logos, during Spain's final group stage match against Uruguay.
Alongside Unai Simón, several other high-profile goalkeepers, including Álisson Becker and Gregor Kobel, are also wearing similar Reusch gloves at the 2026 World Cup.
Fatih Karagümrük 26-27 Home, Away & Third Kits Released
Turkish club Fatih Karagümrük have officially unveiled the 2026-27 home, away and third kits. Made by Wulfz, they will accompany the club throughout the 2026-27 Süper Lig season while celebrating Fatih Karagümrük's 100th anniversary.
The home shirt retains the club's iconic red-and-black striped identity, while the away shirt combines a clean white base with bold red and black side panels. Completing the collection, the third shirt features a dark red base with black side panels, reflecting the identity of Istanbul's historic Karagümrük neighborhood.
What do you think of Fatih Karagümrük's new 2026-27 kits? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
BSG Chemie Leipzig 26-27 Home Kit Released
BSG Chemie Leipzig have unveiled the 2026-27 home kit ahead of the new Regionalliga Nordost season. Once again made by Nike, the new shirt marks an important milestone as the club's first-ever self-designed kit.
Finished in Chemie Leipzig's traditional green with white accents, the jersey combines a clean, timeless look with a design created entirely in-house to reflect the club's own identity and vision. Green shorts and socks complete the full home kit.
What do you think of the new BSG Chemie Leipzig 2026-27 home kit? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
SV Babelsberg 03 x FC St. Pauli 26-27 'Kein Bock auf Nazis' Special Pre-Season Kit Released
SV Babelsberg 03 and FC St. Pauli have teamed up to release special 26-27 pre-season kitsfeaturing the anti-fascist slogan "Kein Bock auf Nazis".
Dunfermline Athletic 26-27 Away Kit Released
Scottish club Dunfermline Athletic today officially unveiled their new 26-27 away kit, produced by technical partner Erreà. The new Erreà Dunfermline Athletic 26-27 away shirt boasts a striking look in purple and green.
FC Carl Zeiss Jena 26-27 Away Kit Released
German Regionalliga Nordost club FC Carl Zeiss Jena have officially unveiled their new Macron away kit for the 26-27 season.
While the home shirt featured a highly unconventional and vibrant tri-color checkerboard pattern, the newly released away jersey opts for a cleaner look, introducing a white and navy design.
Horrible? Real Madrid 26-27 Away Pre-Match Shirt Leaked
Following the recent leak of the official Real Madrid 26-27 away kit, football apparel tracker Kamil Berberler has shared the team's 26-27 away pre-match top.
The Real Madrid 2026-27 away pre-match football shirt boasts a bold look in pink with contrasting green sleeves. All logos are off-white.
On the back top sits a unique RMCF lettering, which is also part of the away kit.
Kitchee 26-27 Home & Away Kits Released
Hong Kong Premier League club Kitchee have officially revealed their new 26-27 home and away kits. The home shirt is particularly interesting with a unique bubbles design.
FC Ingolstadt 26-27 Home Kit Released
The new FC Ingolstadt 04 home kit for the 26-27 season has been officially released.
Produced by Erreà, the FC Ingolstadt 26-27 home shirt features a striking design inspired by the club's crest, reinterpreting its shapes and colors into a textured pattern across the front. This dynamic design alternates between the traditional red and black colors to add depth and a modern touch. The central pattern is framed by solid black sleeves, while crisp white details on the collar and side panels provide a sharp color contrast to complete the overall aesthetic.
Salernitana 26-27 Away Kit Released
The Salernitana 26-27 away kit was officially released today. Made by Givova, the new US Salernitana 1919 26-27 away shirt features a composition that recalls the rhythm of the waves on the coast, alongside graphic and chromatic references to the Sant’Andrea cathedral facade and the Amalfi arsenal. The design follows a similar thematic direction to the home shirt released earlier in July, highlighting the club's deep connection to the surrounding coastal region and its historic architecture.