The Best Exclusive Football Kits of All Time

Football kits have played a huge part in the sports identity for a long time. Over the years, there have been a number of teams showcases exclusive kits for a short period of time for different reasons. So let’s take a look at the best exclusive football kits of all time. 

These kits are not only worn by players, but also produced in limited numbers for fans to purchase. A team might showcase an exclusive kit to celebrate a historic moment, show awareness or even to work with another industry or brand. Many fans now search for tickets without membership in order to access high-demand games and see these kits in action. 

The appeal of exclusive kits

Exclusive kits can bring a lot of excitement and be in high demand. One of the reasons for this is because they are so rare. They can be highly sought-after fans looking for something unique. Many exclusive kits also commemorate a particular milestone or historic event. Many kits carry a story with them, which makes them stand out even more. This can give them sentimental value as well as make them great collector items. In time, they can become extremely valuable, especially if they’re tied to famous players, tournaments or rare collaborations. Throughout football history, there have been a number of exclusive kits that have created a buzz in the industry. 

Nike x Off-White – 2020 Paris Saint-Germain Kit

This kit was designed by Virgil Abloh and added a whole approach to football kits. It combines streetwear and football in a brand-new way. The simple design featured Off-White’s signature diagonal stripes and motifs. While it debuted in 2020, it’s still a sought-after kit for many fans today. This wasn’t just a kit, it was a fashion statement that brought the football and fashion industry together. 

FC Barcelona – 2018 ‘La Senyera’ Kit

In the 2018/19 season, FC Barcelona played in a new kit which features the traditional red and yellow stripes of the Catalan flag. This kit was designed to celebrate the region of Catalonia and was a symbol of pride for Barcelona’s Catalan identity. This served as both a sporting and political statement and allowed the club to express their regional pride and their support for the Catalan people. 

England – 2018 ‘100 Years of Women’s Football’ Kit

In 2018, the FA released a special kit for the women’s national team in celebration of the 100th anniversary of women’s football in England. It was designed to celebrate the history and achievements of women’s football. The sport was banned by the English Football Association from 1921 to 1971. The design features a small graphic on the inside collar that pays homage to the first England women’s match in 1920. This kit raised awareness of the ongoing struggle for equality in both football and the sporting industry overall. 

Arsenal – 2013 ‘Gunnersaurus’ Kit

Aresnal’s limited-edition kit was created to raise awareness for environmental sustainability. The shirt’s design featured Gunnersaurus (the club mascot) and highlighted the club’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting environmental responsibility. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these kits was donated to environmental causes. 

Germany – 2014 ‘One Love’ Kit for LGBTQ+ Rights

2014 saw Germany’s national team wearing a special ‘One Love’ armband during their World Cup campaign. While this wasn’t a kit, it was still worn during matches and had a huge impact on the industry. This band promoted unity and tolerance for the LGBTQ+ community. ‘One Love’ was a larger campaign to promote equality in sports and society and encouraged a number of other teams to adopt similar initiatives with similar messages. 

Paris Saint-Germain – 2019 ‘Stand Up’ Kit for LGBTQ+ Rights

Similar to ‘One Love’, Paris Saint-Germain launched a special edition rainbow-colored kit with the message ‘Stand Up’. This kit was to celebrate pride and raise awareness for LGBTQ+ rights. The rainbow stripes referenced the Pride flag with the goal of promoting a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ people in football. 

Norway – 1994 ‘Historical Anniversary’ Kit

In 1994, Norway released a special kit to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Norweigan Football Federation. The kit features a traditional Norwegian pattern that symbolises the country’s heritage and history in football. This kit represented such a big celebration in Norway, which made it a very highly sought-after kit for many Norweigan fans.  

Barcelona’s 2011 ‘All Yellow’ Third Kit

The ‘All Yellow’ third kit was worn during a very successful period of time for the club. It immediately turned heads with its bold design and was worn for a number of big matches including the Champions League final against Manchester United. It has since become an iconic collector’s piece for both fans of the club and the industry itself. 

These exclusive football kits have become more uniform for players. They are fashion statements, celebrations and important messages and stories. This has led to many exclusive kits becoming collector’s items and extremely valuable. As the industry continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how designers and brands find new ways to send messages and push the boundaries of football fashion.