LEAKED: Adidas Was About to Upgrade Leeds United to Local Elite
1 hour ago, by Chris
- Early Upgrade Hint: In June 2026, the Leeds United club shop website inadvertently displayed an option for authentic kits, suggesting an upgrade by Adidas to the Local A Elite tier with Climacool+ technology.
- Official Kit Plan: The official Premier League handbook for the 2026-2027 season confirmed that Leeds United was slated to receive Adidas Climacool+ authentic kits.
- Unfulfilled Upgrade: Despite early hints and official documentation, Leeds United ultimately only received replica kits from Adidas for the 2026-2027 season, with the reason for this change remaining unknown.
Update - Monday, August 31, 2026: As seen in the official Premier League handbook and adding to the previous hints, Leeds United was supposed to get Adidas Climacool+ authentic kits for the 2026-2027 season. We do not know why, but the club ultimately only got replica kits by Adidas.
Update - Wednesday, June 3, 2026: As spotted by @theadelites, a new customisation option on the Leeds United club shop website allows fans to choose between replica and authentic kits (added by error too early). This probably means that Adidas has upgraded the club from the B Premium tier to one of the Local A Elite tiers. The move gives fans the option to select authentic kits built around advanced Climacool+ performance technology.
Reports from February indicated similar upgrades for clubs including Ajax and Lyon ahead of the 2026-27 season, but Adidas apparently postponed/scrapped these. Adidas had previously upgraded British teams Celtic, Aston Villa, and Newcastle United to local elite.
Shakhtar Donetsk to Feature 'Invest in Ukraine' Sponsor Message in Champions League
Shakhtar Donetsk will sport an updated sponsor look during their 26-27 UEFA Champions League campaign. The Ukrainian champions will wear the slogan "Invest in Ukraine" printed directly below the logo of their principal sponsor, SCM, throughout the league phase of Europe's premier club competition.
The initiative is led by SCM (System Capital Management), the industrial and investment group owned by club president Rinat Akhmetov.
Shakhtar will play at least eight matches during the expanded Champions League league phase, hosting their home fixtures in London at Stamford Bridge.
Al Sadd SC 26-27 Away Kit Released
Al Sadd SC and New Balance have officially unveiled the club's new away kit for the 2026-27 season. Following the launch of their traditional white home strip earlier this month, the Qatari powerhouse turns to a black and gold look for their away matches in domestic and continental competitions.
The New Balance Al Sadd 26-27 away shirt combines a black base with striking diagonal and curved gold linework across the front. The metallic gold treatment extends to the New Balance logo, the Qatar Airways front-of-shirt sponsor, and the monochrome club crest topped by two stars. As a bespoke detail, a golden wolf motif is placed on the upper back below the collar.
Black shorts and black socks complete the full New Balance Al Sadd 2026-27 away uniform.
Newcastle United Deny Adidas Stadium Sponsorship Rumors
Speculation surfaced online suggesting that Newcastle United were in discussions with kit supplier Adidas regarding a potential stadium sponsorship deal for St James' Park. The German sportswear brand already has a major presence across the stadium following the launch of their lucrative kit partnership, featuring branding across the stands and stadium facilities.
However, reports linking Adidas to an official stadium sponsorship deal have been swiftly shot down. According to Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards, Newcastle United are not in talks with the three stripes brand over stadium naming or presenting rights, with club sources strongly denying any Adidas involvement in such negotiations.
While Adidas is ruled out, Newcastle are actively in preliminary talks with other international commercial partners for a stadium sponsorship agreement. The club's commercial leadership aims to drive substantial revenue growth in the coming years while maintaining the historic St James' Park name alongside any prospective sponsor.
