Football kits are essential to a team’s identity, and the manufacturers play a crucial role in shaping their design and quality.
The popularity of a football kit’s manufacturer depends on the quality and design of the kits they produce. However, deals with top football clubs worldwide have also contributed to their popularity.
But which are the most popular football kit manufacturers today?
Here is a look at 15 football kit manufacturers, their history, and their biggest deals.
1. Nike
Nike specializes in designing, manufacturing, and marketing footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessories.
Founded on 25 January 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports, it officially became Nike Inc. on 30 May 1971.
In 2018, Barcelona FC renewed its contract with Nike by ten years. Per the new deal, Barcelona earns €155 million per season from Nike, making it Nike’s most expensive kit deal in history.
Nike’s logo is the most recognized among football kit manufacturers’ logos. The company maintains a global supply chain.
While its headquarters are in Beaverton, Oregon, United States, the company manufactures its products in various countries, primarily in Asia.
2. Adidas
Adidas is a sportswear and lifestyle brand known for its iconic three-stripe logo. Founded in 1949 in Germany by Adolf Dassler, Adidas has grown into one of the industry’s most popular football kit manufacturers.
On 1 August 2023, Manchester United signed a 10-year deal with Adidas as their global kit sponsor worth £900 million. The deal became Adidas’ most lucrative deal in its history.
Adidas operates globally but primarily produces its products in Asia. The company operates production sites in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and China.
3. Puma
Puma creates athletic and casual footwear. Established in 1948 by Rudolf Dassler, the brother of Adidas founder Adolf Dassler.
In 2019, Puma signed a deal with City Group worth £650 million, the biggest in its history.
The deal covers the supply of kits to various teams under City Group, including Manchester City (men and women), Melbourne FC, Girona, Atlético Torque, and Sichuan Jiuniu FC.
Puma operates through a network of suppliers spread across different countries. The company has manufacturing facilities in Vietnam, China, and Indonesia.
4. Under Armour
Under Armour is one of the best jersey brands at the moment. It is an American sports apparel and Footwear Company founded in 1996 by Kevin Plank.
The company previously signed multimillion-dollar deals with many football clubs. These include Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton.
Under Armour has manufacturing facilities in Asia. Its locations include Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Vietnam, India, Japan and Taiwan.
5. Umbro
Umbro Plc is a British sportswear, football equipment, design, and licensing company. It was founded in 1920 as Humphreys Brothers and changed its name to Umbro in 1924.
In 2020, Umbro agreed on a long-term kit deal with EPL club West Ham. But the company has previously had long-term deals with clubs like Manchester United, Everton, Celtic, and the English national football team.
The company does not maintain manufacturing facilities. Instead, it sources its products to independent manufacturers in China, Vietnam, and Thailand.
6. New Balance
New Balance is among the companies that make Premier League kits. It was first established as the New Balance Arch Support Company in 1906, focusing on providing arch support and orthopaedic shoes.
In 2015, New Balance signed a kit deal worth £300 million with Liverpool FC. It was the biggest kit deal in New Balance’s history.
The company has manufacturing facilities in the United States and the United Kingdom. New Balance owns factories in New England and Flimby, United Kingdom.
7. Kappa
Kappa is an Italian sportswear brand. It was founded in Turin, Italy, in 1978 by Marco Boglione and quickly established itself as a prominent player in the football apparel industry.
One of Kappa’s biggest milestones came in the 1990s when it secured major kit deals with prominent football clubs. The notable clubs were Juventus, Barcelona, AS Roma, and Aston Villa.
It is mostly in Italy, where Kappa produces its goods. Italian craftsmanship and legacy are sources of pride for the brand.
8. Macron
Macron Sports is an Italian sporting apparel company specializing in producing and selling sportswear.
The company was founded in Bologna in 1971 and initially started as the exclusive Italian distributor of American sportswear brands.
Macron’s biggest kit deals include partnerships with professional football clubs and national teams. These include Crystal Palace, Bologna FC 1909, and the Italian national football team.
The sportswear company designs and engineers all its products at its headquarters in Bologna.
9. Joma
Joma was founded in 1965 by Fructoso López. It started as a small workshop in Portillo de Toledo, Spain, specializing in sports shoes.
The company gradually expanded its product range to include other sports apparel and equipment.
Joma has established partnerships with several football clubs and national teams worldwide. These include the Spanish and Romanian National Football teams, Sampdoria, and Swansea City FC.
The company manufactures its sportswear and equipment in its Toledo factory in Central Spain.
10. Legea
Legea was founded in 1993 and is based in Italy. Although the company hasn’t worked with big teams yet, the company has been making strides recently.
One of Legea’s biggest kit deals was with Parma Calcio, which lasted from 2009 to 2015. At the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Legea also worked with the North Korean national football team.
The company is headquartered in Pompei, Italy, but it has other manufacturing points throughout the country. It also has distributors in Europe, Canada, the United States, and Australia.
11. Mitre
Mitre is among the popular football kit manufacturers with a rich history dating back to 1817.
The company is known for producing high-quality sports equipment for football, rugby, basketball, and netball. We featured it in our list of popular soccer ball manufacturers, which showcases its influence on the pitch.
Mitre has secured significant kit deals with various football organizations and sports clubs. These include the English Football League, Huddersfield Town, Ipswich Town, Norwich City, and Notts County.
The company has manufacturing facilities in locations worldwide. Its factories are in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
12. Hummel
Hummel is a Danish sportswear brand that has produced sports clothing and equipment, including football kits.
The sportswear company was founded in 1923 by Christian and Thor Stadil and has become a significant market player.
In 2020, Everton agreed on a three-year kit deal with Hummel worth around £9 million a season. The deal was one of Hummel’s biggest deals.
Hummel has manufacturing facilities worldwide. However, the company manufactures most of its products in Turkey, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and China.
13. Uhlsport
Uhlsport is a German sportswear brand founded in 1948 by Karl Uhl. The company initially started as a manufacturer of leather sports goods, including quality gloves.
It later expanded its offerings to include football boots, apparel, goalkeeper equipment, and other accessories.
Uhlsport has secured kit deals with many football clubs and national teams. Its notable kit deals include partnerships with FC St. Pauli FC Kaiserslautern.
The company has a strong global presence, with offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia. However, it manufactures most of its goalkeeper equipment in Germany.
14. Diadora
Diadora is an Italian sportswear and footwear manufacturing company founded in 1948 in Italy by Marcello Danieli.
It is among the most popular football kit manufacturers in the world and produces football boots, athletic shoes, and a range of apparel.
Diadora has a long-standing association with football. The company has been the official kit supplier for various football teams, including the Italian national football team, A.S. Roma, and Bologna FC 1909.
The sportswear company manufactures its items in Europe. Its manufacturing facility is based in Caerano di San Marco, Italy.
15. Asics
Asics is a Japanese sportswear and footwear company founded in 1949 by Kihachiro Onitsuka.
The company has a long history of providing high-quality sports equipment. These have led to various sports partnerships with renowned teams.
Asics has scored many deals throughout its existence. It has been the official kit manufacturer for the Australian Cricket Team since 2004.
Asics manufactures most of its products in Japan. However, the company manufactures products in countries like Vietnam and China to meet global demand.
