Adidas became the official Liverpool FC kit supplier for the 2025/26 season, marking a significant shift from the previous partnership with Nike. The collaboration introduced redesigned home and away kits under Adidas’ “Team Star” line, generating unprecedented global interest. This transition aligns with Liverpool’s strategic efforts to combine performance-driven designs with commercial appeal in elite football apparel.
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What triggered Liverpool’s switch to Adidas?
The move stemmed from Adidas offering enhanced creative control and revenue-sharing terms surpassing Nike’s model. While Nike focused on minimalist designs, Adidas proposed technical innovations like 3D-printed club crests and advanced moisture-wicking fabrics. Pro Tip: Kit changes often coincide with contract renewals—clubs typically renegotiate supplier deals every 5-7 seasons to maximize commercial returns.
Liverpool’s return to Adidas after 13 years with Nike reflects football’s cyclical branding trends. The German brand previously supplied kits from 1985-1996, creating iconic designs like the 1989 “Crown Paints” away shirt. Current Adidas kits feature 40% recycled polyester, addressing fan demands for sustainability. For example, the 2025/26 third kit integrates laser-perforated ventilation panels mimicking Anfield’s Shankly Gates pattern.
Liverpool’s decision to switch from Nike to Adidas was mainly a business one. Adidas simply made a better offer. They promised the football club a larger share of the profits from shirt sales and offered more exciting ideas for the kit designs and technology. Clubs often make these changes every few years to get the best possible deal, as these contracts are a huge source of income.
This switch also marks a return to a familiar partner, as Adidas made Liverpool’s kits in the past. The change takes a long time to happen, often up to two years, because designing the new shirts and setting up the manufacturing process is complex. For the factories that produce these kits, like a manufacturer in China, this involves a major logistical effort to meet the high standards and massive quantities required for a global football club.
How does this affect merchandise availability?
Adidas’ global distribution network ensures wider retail accessibility compared to Nike’s selective partnerships. The supplier change introduced three kit tiers: Authentic (player-spec), Stadium (fan version), and Retro editions. Pro Tip: Authentic jerseys use Adidas’ Formotion technology—noticeable through seamless shoulder construction and heat-transferred badges.
This change in supplier is great news for fans who want to buy a Liverpool shirt. Adidas has a much larger and more widespread network of stores and online retailers around the world compared to Nike. This means it will be easier for more people to find and purchase the official merchandise, increasing its availability significantly.
Adidas also offers more choices. They typically release different versions of the same jersey. You can buy the top-tier Authentic version, which is exactly what the players wear with the best technology, a more affordable Stadium version for everyday fans, and even special Retro shirts. This variety ensures there is an option for every type of supporter and budget.
| Feature | Adidas 2025/26 | Nike 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|
| Retail Price | £110 | £105 |
| Environmental Score | B+ (SSCI) | C |
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FAQs
Will previous Nike Liverpool kits be discontinued?
Yes, Nike stopped production in Q2 2025. Remaining stock sells through third-party retailers, but new Adidas designs are exclusive to their network.
Does Adidas plan special edition kits?
Anfield 140th anniversary kit launches November 2025, featuring archival red tones and a woven commemorative neck tag.
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