Have We Seen Enough Blackout Kits?
Feb 26, 2025, by Chris
- Blackout Kit Popularity: Blackout kits, popularized by Borussia Dortmund in 2020, remain prevalent due to their commercial appeal and fashion versatility.
- Loss of Identity: The widespread adoption of generic blackout kits sacrifices club identity by abandoning traditional colors and visual heritage.
- Potential Solutions: Clubs should explore creative interpretations of blackout kits that incorporate elements of club identity, as seen in examples like AC Horsens and Barcelona.
Atlético Mineiro and AIK have jumped again on the blackout kit bandwagon, raising the question: has the football world reached peak blackout saturation? Big thanks to Soccer Jersey News (@soccerjerseynws) for the initial idea for this article.
Ubiquitous Black
When Borussia Dortmund released their hugely successful blackout kit in early 2020, they triggered a trend that shows little sign of abating. Nearly six years later, we continue to see a steady stream of all-black designs flooding the market. BVB's effort set the gold standard, quickly selling out 60,000 units and establishing a blueprint that dozens of clubs have since followed.
Blackout football shirts have become virtually indistinguishable from one another
But let's be honest - they've become virtually indistinguishable from one another. Beyond the different club crests and manufacturer logos, most blackout kits follow the exact same formula: black fabric, black details, black logos, and black sponsors. The result? A sea of sameness across clubs and leagues.
Atlético Mineiro's new blackout kit continues the trend
Commercial Appeal vs. Club Identity
It's not difficult to understand why blackout kits have become so prevalent. From a fashion perspective, they're incredibly versatile - easy to pair with virtually any outfit, making them appealing beyond match days. The continued commercial success of these kits (Dortmund's anniversary kit sold out "in moments") speaks to their popularity among supporters.
the commercial appeal comes at the cost of club identity
However, this commercial appeal comes at the cost of club identity. When a team abandons its traditional colors for an all-black design, it sacrifices something fundamental about its visual heritage. Ipswich Town, Sparta Rotterdam, Hull City, and now Atlético Mineiro - the list of clubs diluting their visual identity with generic blackout kits continues to grow.
Finding Balance
If blackout kits are here to stay, perhaps clubs should consider a middle ground. Denmark's AC Horsens showed one potential path forward by incorporating colored elements around the edges of their logos, retaining a touch of club identity while maintaining the sleek blackout aesthetic. Barcelona opted for a similar approach with its 24-25 away kit.
Without such distinguishing elements, blackout kits become simply generic black shirts with interchangeable logos - products divorced from club heritage and history.
The Historical Context
Amazing Blackout Manchester United 18-19 Tango Jersey Released
It's worth noting that Adidas actually preceded the current trend, releasing a retro-inspired Manchester United blackout kit in 2018, roughly 18 months before Dortmund's version ignited the full-blown craze. While we're seeing slightly fewer blackout releases than the peak two years ago, they remain a steady fixture in kit launches across the globe.
As Lorenzo Bottini from NSS Sports put it, these jerseys can be "worn both on the pitch and at La Scala's premiere," highlighting their versatility and broader appeal compared to traditional club colors.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Fans have already started to tackle clubs who deny the club colors, e.g. for one-colored crest
The blackout trend appears firmly entrenched in football fashion, but perhaps manufacturers further need to push the boundaries of the concept. Rather than releasing carbon copies of what's come before, could we see more creative interpretations that maintain the sleek black base while incorporating genuine elements of club identity?
What's your take on blackout kits? Creative fashion statement or overdone trend? Let us know in the comments below.
FC Tokyo 26-27 Third Kit Released
J1 League club FC Tokyo has officially revealed its new 26-27 third kit produced by New Balance. Following the club's full collection unveiled earlier in the summer, the new third uniform builds on the overarching dawn theme with a distinct design concept titled "THE BORDERLESS BALANCE".
The New Balance FC Tokyo 26-27 third shirt combines New Balance's signature gray tone with deep navy to capture the transition from night to dawn over the capital. Subtle red gradient streaks emerge along the shoulders and bottom hem, adding a dynamic accent to the dark base. All sponsor logos and the FC Tokyo crest are applied in clean monochrome white, creating a sleek lifestyle-friendly look.
FC Tokyo will debut the 26-27 third kit in J1 League action in February 2027 against V-Varen Nagasaki and JEF United Chiba.
No More Hummel: Stimulus Puerto Rico 2026 Home & Away Kits Released
The Puerto Rican Football Federation (FPF) has officially launched its new home and away kits for the 26-27 cycle, marking the beginning of a technical partnership with American sportswear brand Stimulus Athletic. The Minneapolis-based custom kit maker takes over the apparel duties for El Huracán Azul, officially replacing previous supplier Hummel.
The new home shirt boasts a bold geometric pattern in deep blue and black shades, inspired by the historic cobblestones of Old San Juan alongside the luminous glow of Puerto Rico's world-famous bioluminescent bays. The striking mosaic extends across the entire front and sleeves, complemented by subtle teal accents along the collar and cuff trims. Black shorts and blue socks complete the primary uniform.
In contrast, the away jersey provides a crisp white design adorned with details drawn directly from the national flag. It features dynamic red striping down the flanks that fades into a digital gradient towards the hem, flanked by cyan and red accents on the collar and sleeve cuffs. Both shirts are available for $80 through the official FPF online store, alongside dedicated goalkeeper versions.
Official 26-27 TV Scoreboard Of Top European Competitions
Following the start of the 26-27 season, we have had a complete view over every official TV scoreboard of the biggest European competitions. Though there are mostly no changes, we can see how many of the top leagues are adapting the current trend of minimalistic designs.
Join us to take a look at current scoreboard graphics from Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League. Huge thanks to our partner @whatthekit_x for amazing compilation.
Chattanooga Red Wolves Reveal Vibrant Hispanic Heritage Pre-Match Shirt
USL League One club Chattanooga Red Wolves SC have unveiled a striking special-edition warm-up top in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Worn ahead of the club's annual Hispanic Heritage Night celebrations, the design pays homage to the rich cultural contributions and traditions of the Hispanic and Latino communities within the local area and across the sport.
Set against an off-white base, the standout feature of the shirt is a massive howling wolf graphic across the front. The silhouette of the club's emblem is brought to life through intricate Mesoamerican and folk art motifs, filled with vibrant shades of teal, red, yellow, orange, and violet. Matching cultural diamond patterns run down the red side panels, while the sleeve cuffs are detailed with horizontal sequences representing various Latin American flags.
The reverse side continues the celebratory theme with a sun wheel and mythological fauna gracing the upper back. Centered below is the club's rallying cry, "DALE LOBOS," printed in a bold red textured font and framed by geometric borders.
US Cremonese 26-27 Third Kit Released
Italian club US Cremonese and technical sponsor Acerbis have officially unveiled their new third kit for the 2026-27 campaign. Designed by Cremona native Carlo Enrico Bonvicini, the jersey is built around a deep navy base enhanced by an alternating pattern of glossy and matte tonal pinstripes for subtle depth.
Elegant golden trim outlines the classic polo collar and sleeve cuffs, complemented by monochrome gold sponsor branding and a reimagined two-tone club crest that references 1980s and 1990s iconography alongside the historical Giovanni Baldesio legend.
