Just when we thought we had seen everything in soccer kit design, two clubs have elevated the novelty factor with new jerseys featuring some of the most unusual gimmicks to date.
Bundesliga team RB Leipzig and LaLiga club Real Betis have creatively designed their jerseys to entice fans and encourage them to make a purchase, with both teams set to show off their new looks this weekend.
Leipzig is set to unveil a shirt that shines bright on the pitch, while Betis has introduced kits infused with the aroma of fresh fruit!
– Leipzig vs. Dortmund: Watch LIVE on 2/21 at 12:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+ (U.S.)
– Betis vs. Rayo: Watch LIVE on 2/21 at 10:15 a.m. ET on ESPN+ (U.S.)
– Man City, Spurs, PSG celebrate Lunar New Year with special kits
This weekend, when RB Leipzig takes the field, fans may notice something strikingly different about their new fourth alternate kit: it actually glows in the dark!
With an appearance reminiscent of the “Tron” universe, the shirt features a black base adorned with a blue graphic overlay consisting of abstract designs. Logos and sponsorships are printed using UV-sensitive materials that shine turquoise in low-light conditions.
While glow-in-the-dark components are not unprecedented in soccer kits—such as Napoli’s recent Halloween jersey featuring luminescent skeletal designs—Leipzig and Puma have raised the bar with a full array of glow-in-the-dark details throughout the kit. This includes player names and numbers, which light up brilliantly, as modeled by players like Johan Bakayoko, Lara Marti, and Rômulo.
Leipzig will debut this innovative kit against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday night. However, due to strict regulations in the Bundesliga regarding kit design, they will wear a modified version that does not glow during the match.
According to the league’s kit regulations (specifically rule 8.4), playing jerseys cannot be made from reflective materials or any material that alters its appearance due to external factors like light or temperature. This restriction also applies to logos, player names, and numbers.
So while Leipzig players may be wearing a simplified version of their new kit on the pitch, fans will still have the chance to sport their glowing replicas and stand out both in the stadium and at local recreational games.
In a different approach, Real Betis and Hummel have fully embraced sustainability with their new special-edition fourth-alternate outfield kits and fifth-alternate goalkeeper jerseys, which are literally made from oranges—reflecting the citrus heritage of Seville.
In an effort to minimize plastic usage, the jerseys and shorts are constructed from eco-friendly materials, incorporating about 16% organic fibers sourced from orange peels.
The texture of the shirts is designed to emulate the surface of an orange, providing a unique tactile experience. Additionally, the iconic green stripes of Betis are accented with vibrant orange hues, while the goalkeeper’s jersey features blue and black bands.
To top it all off, the names and numbers on the kits are printed via a chemical-free method and offer an innovative scratch-and-sniff feature that emits the scent of orange blossoms.
Real Betis will unveil these kits during Saturday’s home game against Rayo Vallecano. It remains to be seen whether these fragrant uniforms will still emit their sweet scent after a grueling 90 minutes in the heat of southern Spain!