With the 26/27 season right around the corner and most teams' home shirts now revealed, I've picked out what are, in my humble opinion, the 10 best designs.
It’s been said many times before, but home shirts are often the least interesting in a club's kit collection, mainly because of the need to stay close to tradition. Colours are often fixed, and fans are usually reluctant to see anything too experimental. Save that for the away and third shirts. But that doesn't mean there isn't room for a little flourish here or there, or even some genuine boundary-pushing. One of the highlights for me this season is that this list features clubs wearing kits from eight different brands, demonstrating that the standard of kit design has never been higher.
10. FC Metz (Kappa)
The thing that instantly catches your attention with this design is the colour combo – that rich, dark red with a slight wine tone paired up with the gold is quite a unique look all round. Are there too many sponsors? Maybe. But at least they all fall in line with the general aesthetic.
9. Venezia (Nocta)
This feels like one of the first times since the Nocta x Venezia partnership began that Drake's Nike sub-label has truly come to terms with the brief. This is not an exercise in elevating Nocta over Venezia, nor should it ever be, and this design strikes the perfect balance, leaning into the club's distinct identity while adding a streetwear flair.
8. Orlando Pirates (adidas)
If I were forced to pick one brand that's leading the pack when it comes to jersey design, it'd probably be adidas (with Macron a very close second). While the Three Stripes have been consistently good across this season's home shirts, there aren't many that truly stand out. For me, though, the presence of the Orlando Pirates badge is an instant elevating factor, and adidas have provided a strong base for it to shine from.
7. Napoli (EA7)
I've said it before, and I'll likely say it many more times in the near future, but there's been a clear shift towards cleaner designs this season, and Napoli's home shirt is a perfect case in point. Released to celebrate the club's 100th anniversary, it strips everything back. The jersey itself nods to the club's very first symbol, the Corsiero del Sole (the unbroken horse), an emblem of the city's unwavering spirit since 1926. Retro collar? Check. "Centenary Blue" colourway? Check. A unique badge marking the milestone? Check.
6. Coventry City (hummel)
Following a 25-year absence from the top flight, one of the Premier League’s inaugural members returns for the 26/27 season, and hummel have made sure they will do so in style. They've created a beautiful stripe look, with added details in the blue elements nodding to the club's 1987 FA Cup triumph. Good design and a good story – can't ask for more.
5. London City Lionesses (Nike)
London City Lionesses are making some serious moves, having added world-class talent to their ranks with the signings of Alexia Putellas and Mapi León. But while they're aiming to become one of the WSL's top-performing teams, they're arguably already the best dressed, thanks to this home kit from Nike. Arriving in a striking Hyper Turquoise colourway, the new shirt is built around the very core of the club's identity: the badge. The design features a tiled graphic made up of repeated club crests, disrupted and arranged in a diamond formation across the body. It's a concept that immediately stands out.
4. Sunderland (hummel)
If ever you needed an example of how to operate within the constraints of a traditional home kit and yet still smash it out of the park, look no further than what hummel have done with Sunderland's new home shirt. Almost uber-traditional in its execution, it feels rooted in the past, bolstered by launch campaign imagery that goes full Peaky Blinders, while still bringing a fresh sense of progression to proceedings. We're looking at that two-tone collar and the way the white stripes seamlessly travel up the body and down the sleeves.
3. Levante (Macron)
Macron have been nailing Levante's deep burgundy and blue tones over the last few years, and this season they've hit the mark once again, elevating the overall look through the addition of simple white accents on the collar, cuffs and subtle piping. It ties in perfectly with the club's branding and sponsor, making for an elegant presentation.
2. Toulouse (Nike)
Toulouse are one of the few teams in the world that boast purple as their main colour, and that alone sets them apart. But beyond that, what Nike have been doing since arriving for the 24/25 season has been exemplary, typified by this beauty. Purple has been the only constant as the Swoosh has traversed from a sash to a 50-50 split and now to stripes. And the stripe execution is superb, with the white lines bordered by lighter purple tones against the base, giving the illusion that they're glowing. Magnifique.
1. Augsburg (Mizuno)
Mizuno have been doing some serious business in the kit scene in recent years, and Augsburg really feel like their muse to a certain extent. This latest home shirt is simply the newest in a long line of outstanding releases. In fact, it's so good that you'd be forgiven for thinking it was an away or third shirt. It's such a unique take on the club's traditional look that you can't help but admire it.
At first glance, it's the cream base that grabs your attention. But look a little closer and you'll spot the all-over marble graphic, framed by rich burgundy and dark green accents, a twist on the brighter red and green tones usually found on the club's home shirts. Seriously, home shirts have no right looking this good.
Honourable mentions for Como, Kaizer Chiefs and Spezia – all narrowly missing out on a top 10 finish.
Watch this space for the Top 10 Away Kits, coming soon...
Shop 26/27 replica at prodirectsport.com/soccer
