Sunderland’s full 2025/2026 range is now out following the unveiling of their third kit on Thursday, with the newest batch continuing hummel’s high hit percentage after receiving strong initial feedback.
Perhaps the most eye catching of the whole lot, the latest goalkeeper kit is a personal favourite.
Similar to the home and away versions, it features the patterned tiles seen on the magnificent Bridge Hotel in town — although I’ll admit that from a distance, the sponsor and colour scheme could see it being mistaken for a Wolverhampton Wanderers effort.
As for the outfield strip, the Black Cat-inspired get up has clearly been in the pipeline for some time, given the fact the photoshoot features a pre-makeover Chris Rigg. Also involved in the launch is LP Rhythm, a hugely successful DJ from Sunderland whose 1990s house music style fits perfectly with Riggy’s new (old) curtains barnet.
This isn’t the first black kit Sunderland will get to wear.
There have previously been a couple of Adidas numbers and in 2005, Lonsdale introduced a Reg Vardy-sponsored strip that had been voted for supporters and looked the part, even though results that season were at anything but the required standard. The club is a very different beast nowadays though, so it’s apt that the image of an animal has become the first entirely new ‘badge’ to be displayed on a kit since the move to the Stadium of Light and the introduction of the current main crest.
The stylised prowling cat has of course been seen elsewhere over the years, such as on other Sunderland merchandise and on the outside of the North Stand brickwork, but never as the main emblem of a playing shirt (although in 2009/2010, a small version of the icon was admittedly used on the back). The familiar logo is one of several feline nods, including eleven (as in the number of players on a team) mandala patterning and cat’s eyes on the back.
Previously seen in the _‘Til The End_ drives, the marketing blurb states that the amber eyes “evoke memories of past promotion battles and symbolise determination and focus for the future”, but the line could just as easily be translated more simply into “they look mint”.
The features, such as the text on the inside detailing the origin of the club’s nickname and the reason for the gun metal grey detailing, emphasise hummel’s dedication to providing us with bespoke pieces that mean something specific to supporters, and whilst each strip has its own identity, some design aspects are carried throughout the collection.
The shorts and socks all follow the same template, whilst the ECO8 tops have internal collar slogan banding plus raglan sleeves and for the goalkeepers, round necklines. The placement of the hummel chevrons all match too, as they do with the various travel and training ranges.
It makes for a pleasing aesthetic, whilst the black theme of the third option means the accompanying anthem jacket, pre-match tee shirt, quarter-zip and Black Cats tee shirts and hoodies have an extremely stylish edge that helps round everything off.
The squad is shaping up, the kits are all ready, and on the eve of the new season, Sunderland are determined to show the Premier League that these Black Cats have more than just luck going for them.
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