Castore & Hertha Adjust 25-26 Home Kit to Comply with DFL Rules

Update: Hertha BSC has updated their 2025-26 home kit to comply with DFL’s kit regulations - the club added the stripes from the front to the lower back of the kit, as predicted by Footy Headlines.

Hertha added the stripes also on the lower part of the shirt

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.