With another World Cup campaign ending prematurely, Germany are truly looking to make a new start and it will not be limited to a new manager only.
The end of 2026, will mark the end of what has been the most iconic kit supplier and national team partnership that lasted more than seven decades.
The bond between Germany and Adidas lasted through the test of times, wars and what not, but come 2027 not Adidas but Nike will be the kit supplier of the German team, something that only a decade back would have been considered as unthinkable.
The success of German football team and Adidas are intertwined as Germany won the 1974, 1990 and 2014 world cups wearing the Adidas kit and jersey and back in 1954, when the team did the ‘Miracle of Bern’, Adidas founder Adi Dassler was the team’s kit man and his shoes provided more grip to the German footballers in a rain soaked field which ultimately prove to be decisive in their 3-2 win over Hungary.
So much history and legacy meant the three stripes became synonymous to the German team and despite Nike luring them a couple of decades back, Germany always stuck with their nation’s sports manufacturing company.
However, this time the change is down to simply Nike offering a better deal, following a ‘transparent and non-discriminatory tender procedure’ as per DFB.
While the exact amount of the partnership has not been revealed, it is understood that the DFB will pocket more than €100 millions from this seven year deal, almost double to what Adidas were offering.
However, before they leave, with the final home and away kits already worn by the team during the World Cup, Adidas have made one final farewell third kit for the Die Mannschaft and its first look has been released.
Adidas tried to evoke the retro feeling with This farewell jersey’s base is black and there are distinctive gold vertical pinstripes that run down the front of the body, with a V-neck collar detailed with white and gold trim. Adidas tried to evoke the retro vibe with classic Adidas Originals logo, an old DFB crest on the chest and the trademark white three stripes on the sleeves.
While the details on the jersey are sure to bring back the memories of the past, it is safe to say, its design has received mixed reactions from the German fans. One see the mixed reaction one after the other in every post showcasing the leaked jersey.
Adidas, you should at least leave a good impression before a farewell. What's that?
— Bayern Scope (@BayernScopeHQ) July 6, 2026
However, there are admirers already of this kit as some of the fans believe it should have been the away jersey in the World Cup.
Some can’t wait to see the team wearing it during the next matches and claiming it to be a must buy, while others went as far as calling it ugly and welcoming Nike with open arms.
But this kit supplier welcome is not unanimous as many still question the need to switch to Nike and even suggested the change should have to another German brand Puma, instead of the American company Nike.
Germany are poised to play against Netherlands, Serbia and Greece in double-legged Nations League matches before the end of the calendar year and despite all the mixed reactions, when Germany wear this black Adidas jersey for one last time, German fans are more than likely to be emotional.
