Bayern Munich & Adidas CEOs Talk About Kits & Address Design Controversies
Feb 7, 2026, by Chris
- Partnership: The CEOs of Bayern Munich and Adidas emphasized the 60-year partnership between the club and the sportswear brand as fundamental to both parties.
- Kit Design Philosophy: There is a constant balancing act between honoring tradition and introducing modern, innovative elements that will also drive shirt sales.
- Market Dynamics: Controversial kit designs often lead to higher sales, as younger fans seek out attention-grabbing items, and the next Bayern kit will be more traditional.
Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen and Adidas CEO Björn Gulden have provided a remarkably candid insight into the philosophy behind the club's often-debated kit designs at the SPOBIS sports business event, while simultaneously announcing a clear return to traditional values for next season. Huge thanks to FCB Inside for nicely covering the topic.
Bayern Munich Promise Return to Classic Designs After Adidas CEO and Club Chief Address Kit Controversy
Dreesen emphasized the deep historical connection between Bayern and Adidas, stating that the 60-year partnership is fundamental to both parties, and that he cannot imagine the Bayern shirt without the three stripes. He acknowledged the emotional significance of the club's colors and their composition, describing the jersey as representing identity, homeland, success, and recognition.
However, Dreesen also openly addressed the inherent conflict in every new kit release, explaining that from a designer's perspective, innovation is necessary each year, especially when multiple jerseys are produced per season. The central challenge, he noted, is finding the balance between honoring tradition - what fans see as identity-defining elements like the classic red color scheme) - and introducing fresh modern touches. He didn't shy away from the commercial reality, stating plainly that "we also want to sell shirts," and that producing identical kits year after year wouldn't be viable for either Adidas or Bayern.
Bayern München 26-27 Home Kit
The Adidas Bayern Munich 26-27 home football shirt keeps the club’s traditional red base with slightly darker tonal pinstripes running down the shirt. This effect adds depth and texture without straying from Bayern’s instantly recognizable identity.
Bayern München 26-27 Home Kit Leaked
The Bayern 27-28 home kit will feature an accent color nobody expected
Adidas CEO Gulden went further by revealing a counterintuitive market dynamic: the more criticism a kit receives, particularly second or third jerseys, the better it tends to sell. He cited Germany's controversial pink Euro 2024 kit as a prime example, calling it "a disaster" that they had to reorder "a hundred times" due to overwhelming demand. Gulden explained that while the hardcore fan base may initially reject bold new designs, the broader fan community actively seeks out these eye-catching pieces, making attention itself a crucial market factor.
Dreesen also highlighted the generational shift in consumer behavior, noting that younger fans specifically want new colors and designs that draw attention, viewing kits not just as fan apparel but as fashion statements. This demographic approaches clothing differently than previous generations, requiring both club and supplier to adapt their strategies accordingly.
Despite the willingness to experiment, Gulden assured traditionalists with a simple design formula: "You need two classic and one risky." Most significantly, he confirmed that "next year Bayern will be very classic" - we already know the final look of the kit, and he is totally right.
Check out all Bayern München kits on Football Kit Archive
Bayern 2026-2027 Home, Away, Third & Fourth Kits
The Bayern Munich 2026-27 home kit stays true to the club's traditions with a classic design in the iconic red that has defined the Bavarian giants for decades. While exact details are difficult to discern from the pixelated leak, the kit maintains Bayern's reputation for clean, timeless home designs.
Bayern München 26-27 Home, Away, Third, Fourth & Oktoberfest Kits Leaked
Footy Headlines also already knows that the Bayern 27-28 home kit will be more experimental again, with an accent color nobody expected.
PSG 27-28 Home Kit Leaked
Based on leaked details from myach_lab, our partner @whatthekit_x have created a mockup of the PSG 2027-28 home shirt. The iconic blue-red Hechter stripe remains, while the shirt gradually fades into a darker shade towards the bottom, with a red collar section connecting to the central stripe.
Extremely Limited: Macron Lausanne-Sport 26-27 130th Anniversary Kit Released
Swiss Super League club FC Lausanne-Sport and technical sponsor Macron have officially unveiled a special commemorative kit celebrating the club's 130th anniversary. Founded in 1896 under the original name FC Montriond, the Swiss side pays tribute to its foundational roots with a look directly inspired by the earliest outfits in club history.
The Macron Lausanne-Sport 26-27 130th Anniversary shirt showcases broad alternating blue and white horizontal hoops across the body and sleeves, framed by a neat crew neck collar. Honoring its heritage, the jersey swaps the contemporary LS crest for the historic FC Montriond badge on the chest alongside the Macron Hero logo. The kit is complemented by simple white shorts and white socks to finish a faithful retro aesthetic, while a matching pale green variation has been crafted for the goalkeepers.
The special shirt will not be released for general retail sale. Only 130 individually numbered copies have been produced, each accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. Fans will have the chance to win the shirts via a charity raffle benefiting the club's youth development fund during the official anniversary match against FC Thun at the Stade de la Tuilière on November 1, 2026, where the team will wear the kit in action.
Cobh Ramblers 2026 Third Kit Released
Cobh Ramblers have officially released their new third kit for the 2026 League of Ireland First Division campaign. Produced by German brand uhlsport, the strip introduces a classy black and gold color scheme while sharing the bespoke local design language featured across the club's 2026 kit collection.
The uhlsport Cobh Ramblers 2026 third shirt combines a black base with subtle tonal vertical striping. Flowing down the left side beneath the monochrome gold club crest are two striking gold vertical stripes shaped like lancet arches, inspired by the architecture and stained glass windows of St Colman's Cathedral in Cobh. Celtic knotwork adorns the v-neck collar and sleeve cuffs, while the uhlsport lettering and front-of-shirt sponsor Caltech Electrical Supplies are also finished in gold.
The new Cobh Ramblers 2026 third kit is now available through the club's official online store and physical club shop, retailing at €70 for adult sizes and €50 for kids.
Salisbury FC 26-27 Third Kit Revealed
English non-league side Salisbury FC have officially unveiled their new 26-27 third kit, brought back following the squad's recent tour of Kuwait. The release complements the club's home and away strips that were launched earlier in the summer.
The Salisbury FC 26-27 third shirt features a vibrant yellow base contrasted with royal blue accents. A retro-inspired blue collar with a v-neck insert frames the neckline, while dynamic blue striped graphics run down the sleeves and lower flanks. Continuing the club's deep ties to Kuwait under owner Ali Alhamad, the chest prominently displays the Arabic script logo of a Kuwaiti digital bank alongside the club crest.
The strip is completed with matching yellow shorts featuring blue side panels. The Salisbury 26-27 third shirt was made available exclusively to match-going fans at the club shop ahead of their FA Cup qualifying clash against Dulwich Hamlet.
