Crisis at Castore? Brand Has Lost 6 Big Kit Deals in 2 Years
- Kit Deal Losses: Castore has lost six major football kit partnerships in the last two to three seasons, including deals with Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Wolves, Bayer Leverkusen, Sevilla and Rangers.
- Reasons for Termination: The main reasons for the termination of contracts appear to be poor product quality, such as issues with "wet-look" shirts, ripping, and peeling logos, as well as significant logistics and supply chain problems.
- Castore's Response: Despite the losses, Castore still has contracts with several clubs and is rumored to be replacing Nike as the kit supplier for Hertha Berlin, and may be using the Umbro brand (which they acquired in the UK) to supply Rangers kits.
British sportswear brand Castore is facing a critical moment, having lost a staggering six of its major football kit partnerships over the last two to three seasons. This mass exodus of top clubs deals a significant blow to the brand's ambitions in the football world.
Castore Has Lost 6 Big Kit Deals in 2 Years
The clubs that have ended or will soon end their deals with Castore include Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Wolves, Bayer Leverkusen, Sevilla, and Rangers. This wave of departures raises serious questions about the brand's quality and long-term viability in elite football.
Of all the departing clubs, the situation with Rangers is the most unique. Officially, Umbro is set to replace Castore as the Glasgow club's kit supplier from the 2025-26 season.
However, the reality is more complex. Castore acquired the rights to the Umbro brand in the UK in the spring of 2024. This means it is highly likely that Castore will continue to produce the Rangers kits themselves, but will do so using the Umbro branding. This appears to be a strategic move to leverage the more historic and reputable Umbro name to sidestep the reputational damage done to the Castore brand itself.
Two Main Reasons: Product Quality & Supply Issues
The departures do not appear to be coincidental. Two recurring reasons have been consistently cited for the terminations: poor product quality and major operational issues.
Throughout their various partnerships, Castore has been plagued by complaints from both players and fans. High-profile problems have included:
- Aston Villa players complaining about "wet-look" shirts that retained too much sweat.
- Numerous reports of kits ripping and tearing easily.
- Logos, badges, and sponsor details peeling off after only a few washes.
In addition to product quality control, the brand has also been heavily criticized for its logistics and supply chain, with fans frequently reporting major delays and problems with receiving their merchandise orders.
Castore's Future: Who Remains?
Despite these significant losses, Castore is not out of the game yet. The brand still holds contracts with several notable clubs, including Athletic Bilbao, Everton, Burnley, Feyenoord, and Club Brugge.
Furthermore, they are rumored to be the front-runners to replace Nike as the new kit supplier for German side Hertha Berlin next season, which shows they are still active in acquiring new partners.
Nevertheless, losing so many big clubs in such a short time is an alarming trend. Castore is at a crossroads and must fundamentally address its quality and operational issues if it wants to compete in the cut-throat football kit market.
What do you think? Can Castore fix its problems, or is this the beginning of the end for the brand in top-flight football? Comment below.
