German Football League Bans Striped Hertha 25-26 Home Kit
- Kit Ban: The DFL has banned Hertha BSC's 2025-26 home kit due to its non-compliance with kit regulations, specifically the lack of stripes on the back.
- Rule Violation: DFL and UEFA rules mandate that if a shirt features stripes on the front, those colors must also be clearly visible on the back, which Hertha's plain blue back design failed to meet.
- Kit Adaptation: Hertha BSC will modify the pro version of the jersey by adding white striping to the lower back, aiming to have it ready for their first home game on August 10, while fans who bought the original will keep the unamended design.
The German Football League (DFL) has blocked Hertha BSC’s 2025-26 home kit from being used in official matches due to non-compliance with league kit regulations. The shirt, designed by Castore and unveiled three weeks ago, features Hertha’s classic blue and white stripes on the front but a plain blue back.
Hertha wore the original home kit in the pre-season.
Hertha Must Add Stripes at Lower Back of 25-26 Home Kit
Under DFL and also UEFA rules, “the colours used to create a hooped, banded, striped or checked shirt on the front must both be clearly visible on the back of the playing attire if the same pattern is not used.” This means both blue and white should appear on the rear of the shirt, even if the stripes themselves are not continued. Hertha’s submitted plain back version failed this requirement.
UEFA Rules for Striped Kits
The club has confirmed it will adapt the pro version of the jersey by adding white striping to the lower back area, aiming to have the corrected kit ready for their first home game against Karlsruher SC on August 10, though the DFL’s deadline extends to matchday nine. Fans who purchased the current retail version will retain the original design, creating a visible difference between replica and match-worn shirts.
Hertha started the season in their striking yellow third jersey, debuted against Schalke 04 on August 1.
Meanwhile, German club BVB did not have to have stripes on the back of their 2022-2023 home kit. This decision likely came because the BVB kit had "no real stripes", but it does not make real sense.
