"Looks Shit" - Sunderland 25-26 Home Kit Has Awful On-Pitch Back
- Kit Discrepancy: The on-pitch version of Sunderland's 2025-26 home kit features a large white panel on the back, unlike the fully striped version sold to fans.
- Reason for Change: The white panel was added to the player-issue shirts to comply with Premier League regulations regarding player number visibility.
- Fan and Design Criticism: Fans have criticized the on-pitch kit's design, deeming it aesthetically poor compared to solutions implemented by other clubs with striped kits.
Following the launch of their new 2025-26 home kit in late July, it has been revealed that the on-pitch version worn by Sunderland's players will feature a drastically different back design compared to the version being sold to fans. Big thanks to @brobbo55 for the picture.
The Back of Sunderland's 2025-26 Home Kit "Looks Shit"
A large, solid white panel has been added to the back of the player-issue shirts to comply with Premier League regulations, creating a look that has been slammed by fans as "shit."
On the official online store's description line, Sunderland confirmed the discrepancy. The club announced that after discussions with the Premier League, they will only sell a fully striped-back version to supporters to "preserve the traditional look of our home shirt."
However, the statement also confirmed that "the on-field shirt worn during Premier League matches features a solid panel to accommodate player numbers, in line with league requirements."
A Solution That Lacks Aesthetic Appeal
While complying with league rules for number visibility is necessary, the execution on the Sunderland kit is aesthetically very poor. The large white block abruptly cuts off the stripes and completely breaks the overall beauty of the jersey.
This solution looks particularly bad when compared to how other clubs and brands have handled the same issue. Other Premier League teams with striped kits, like Brentford, Brighton, and Newcastle, have opted for much cleaner and more integrated solutions, creating a simple box for the numbers that doesn't disrupt the design as jarringly.
Looking abroad, Atlético Madrid's striped Nike kit shows an even better approach. Nike created a red box within the stripes for the number, a solution that respects the primary design while still meeting regulations. Sunderland's version simply looks lazy in comparison.
While the club's decision to sell the "pure" version to fans is commendable, the on-pitch solution is a major design failure compared to how other brands and clubs have tackled the exact same problem.
What do you think of the on-pitch back of the Sunderland home kit? A necessary evil for league rules, or a poor design choice? Let us know in the comments below.
