Sunderland are preparing for one of the most remarkable seasons in their modern history after qualifying for the Europa League, completing a stunning rise from promotion hopefuls to European contenders.
The Black Cats sealed their place in the continental competition with a dramatic 2-1 win over Chelsea on the final day of the Premier League season, finishing seventh and securing European football in their first campaign back in the top flight.
With that achievement still fresh, attention is already turning to what Sunderland will wear on their European adventure.
The club’s kits for 2026/27 have not yet been officially released, but fans may have already been given their first major hint about what Hummel have planned.
Sunderland and Hummel recently extended their partnership, with the club saying the deal had followed record replica shirt sales across the last two seasons.
Reports surfaced last month, suggesting that Hummel will keep the home shirt red and white as always, but will “play around” with patterns and shirt collars.
It also described the away shirt as something they are “really, really excited about”, saying that the design will be bold and eye-catching, with a story that the supporters will instantly connect with.
The first hint was given long after the full-time whistle against Chelsea, where many supporters stayed inside the Stadium of Light to celebrate the club’s return to European football.
It was during those post-match celebrations that fans appeared to receive the first big clue.
On the main scoreboard, an image showed the Sunderland crest on the left and Elvis Presley’s iconic trademark on the right, suggesting a possible collaboration between the club and the Presley estate. The text and crest were pink, set against a black background.
— Andy (@SAFCsource) May 24, 2026
Fans then reportedly received an email from the club headed “Elvis – Episode One”, using the same colour scheme. The message read “some things are meant to be”, a reference to Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love”, before ending with “Arriving this summer”.
That has led to a growing belief that Sunderland’s away or third kit for next season could carry an Elvis Presley-inspired theme. The club have not officially confirmed the shirt yet, but the scoreboard teaser and email have given supporters plenty to discuss before the launch.
At first glance, the idea of Sunderland releasing an Elvis-inspired shirt might seem unusual; however, the connection is rooted deeply in the club’s fan culture.
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” has become one of Sunderland’s defining anthems, which Sunderland supporters know better as “Wise Men Say” after the song’s opening lyric; sung at the Stadium of Light as well as on away days as a statement of loyalty and identity.
The song has followed the club through relegations, rebuilds, Wembley trips, promotion pushes and now, potentially, back onto the European stage.
For many supporters, it is one of the emotional soundtracks of following Sunderland, making the rumoured away kit feel like a tribute to something far bigger than a simple pop-culture reference.
After qualifying for Europe on Sunday, the Stadium of Light reverberated with the song once again.
I can't help falling in love with Europe ❤️ pic.twitter.com/WmQz8RXFfQ
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) May 25, 2026
The exact origin of the chant is still debated, but the most widely repeated story dates back to August 1977.
Elvis passed away on August 16, and Sunderland played Hull City four days later, on August 20. According to fan accounts, travelling Sunderland supporters sang “Can’t Help Falling in Love” as a tribute to Presley, and it gradually became part of the club’s terrace tradition.
Fans have already started discussing what an Elvis Presley-inspired Sunderland shirt could look like.
Some have suggested retro styling, gold touches or details linked to Elvis Presley’s stage outfits, while others are hoping the design remains subtle rather than becoming too heavy-handed.
The speculation has also inspired early fan-made concepts, giving supporters a first visual idea of how an Elvis-inspired Sunderland away shirt could look.
The fan concepts show a black Sunderland shirt with bright pink detailing, giving it a bold Elvis-inspired look while still using a classic football-shirt shape.
While another concept kit showed that it could also be a pink base with black and grey detailing.
Overall, the concept leans into the Presley theme through black-and-pink styling, script text, stage-performance imagery and tribute-label details, while keeping the shirt fairly sleek rather than overly busy.
Fans have fallen in love with the ideas of these concept kits, raising their expectations as they wait for the official kit to be unveiled.
Sunderland have not released any of their new kits yet, so fans still do not know how close the real shirt will be to the concept.
The concept kit has only added to the anticipation for the new season, with fans hoping to see the players wearing a similar kit as they compete in Europe.
