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Ranking every Premier League away kit for 2025-26: Batman shirt, inspired by a leisure centre, anda brown
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Published in Travel and Leisure on Friday, August 15th 2025 at 2:54 GMT by The New York Times🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
We rank all of the Premier League away kits for the 2025-26 season. Which is your favourite?
Ranking Every Premier League Away Kit for the 2025-26 Season
The Premier League's 2025-26 season is shaping up to be a visual feast, especially when it comes to away kits. With clubs pushing boundaries in design, color palettes, and nods to heritage, this year's offerings range from bold experiments to timeless classics. Manufacturers like Nike, Adidas, Puma, and Castore have all stepped up, incorporating sustainable materials, intricate patterns, and fan-favorite throwbacks. In this ranking, we've evaluated all 20 away kits based on aesthetics, innovation, cultural relevance, and how well they stand out on the pitch (or in the stands). We'll count down from the least impressive to the absolute best, highlighting what works, what doesn't, and why each kit earns its spot. Whether you're a kit collector or just appreciate football fashion, there's plenty to dissect here.
Starting at the bottom, No. 20: Southampton. The Saints' away kit is a baffling misfire. Opting for a muted gray base with faint red pinstripes, it feels like a leftover from a corporate uniform catalog rather than a Premier League statement. Adidas usually delivers, but this one lacks energy— the subtle wave pattern meant to evoke the Solent coastline comes off as washed out, and the black accents do little to elevate it. It's practical for away clashes, sure, but in a league full of vibrant designs, this one blends into the background like a foggy south coast morning. Fans might appreciate the eco-friendly recycled polyester, but visually, it's forgettable.
No. 19: Brentford. The Bees go for a safe bet with a white base accented by thin black and red stripes on the sleeves. Puma's design is clean, but that's the problem—it's too clean, bordering on bland. The honeycomb motif is a nice touch for the club's nickname, but it's so subtle it's almost invisible from afar. In a season where kits are getting bolder, this feels like a step back, more suited to a training top than a match-winner.
Climbing slightly to No. 18: Fulham. Castore's effort here is a navy blue affair with white geometric patterns inspired by the Thames. It's an improvement over last year's, with better fit and breathable fabric, but the patterns clash awkwardly, creating a busy look that distracts rather than delights. The gold trim adds a premium feel, yet it doesn't quite gel, leaving it in the lower echelons.
No. 17: Everton. The Toffees' away kit from New Balance is a deep indigo with electric blue highlights, nodding to their Goodison Park lights. It's functional and ties into club history, but the overall execution feels dated—the blocky sponsor logo overwhelms the chest, and the shorts clash with the socks. Not a disaster, but not inspiring either.
No. 16: Nottingham Forest. Adidas delivers a forest green base (pun intended) with subtle tree-branch graphics. It's thematic, evoking the club's namesake, but the dark-on-dark palette makes it hard to appreciate details on TV. A brighter accent could have pushed this higher, but as is, it's solid without sparkle.
Mid-table now, No. 15: Ipswich Town. As newcomers (assuming their promotion holds), their Umbro kit is a refreshing sky blue with navy waves, paying homage to the Suffolk coast. It's simple and elegant, with a retro collar that fans love, but it lacks the wow factor to compete with bigger clubs' designs.
No. 14: Bournemouth. The Cherries' Puma kit is a black base with cherry-red splatters, mimicking bursting fruit. It's fun and playful, but the execution is uneven—the splatters look like paint accidents up close. Still, it's a step up from their previous kits, offering personality in a subtle way.
No. 13: Crystal Palace. Nike's design here is a black kit with holographic eagle motifs that shimmer under lights. It's innovative, tying into the club's badge, but the iridescent effect can appear gimmicky. Palace fans will enjoy the nod to Selhurst Park's atmosphere, though.
No. 12: Wolverhampton Wanderers. Castore opts for a gold base with black wolf-head patterns. It's luxurious and bold, evoking the club's "old gold" heritage, but the patterns feel overcrowded on the sleeves. A cleaner layout might have ranked it higher.
No. 11: West Ham United. Adidas brings a claret base with sky blue hoops, inspired by the club's bubbles anthem. It's nostalgic and well-balanced, with metallic accents that pop. Not revolutionary, but reliably stylish.
Entering the top 10, No. 10: Aston Villa. Nike's away kit is a villa-red with gold filigree patterns drawn from Bodymoor Heath architecture. It's elegant and sophisticated, with a modern slim fit that suits the club's rising status. The subtle lion motifs add depth without overwhelming.
No. 9: Brighton & Hove Albion. Their Nike kit features a teal base with wave-like gradients representing the seafront. It's fresh and vibrant, with eco-materials front and center. The seagull emblem integrates seamlessly, making it a standout for coastal flair.
No. 8: Leicester City. Adidas delivers a royal blue kit with fox-head camouflage, a clever twist on the club's mascot. It's camouflage done right—not too literal, with silver trims that elevate it. Perfect for away days at hostile grounds.
No. 7: Newcastle United. Castore's black-and-white striped away kit inverts the home colors with a modern twist: diagonal stripes and gold edging. It's sharp and pays tribute to the Magpies' history while feeling contemporary. The Geordie faithful will adore this one.
No. 6: Tottenham Hotspur. Nike goes all-in with a navy kit featuring lilywhite constellations, symbolizing the club's "audere est facere" motto under the stars. It's poetic and visually stunning, with glow-in-the-dark elements for night games. A kit that tells a story.
No. 5: Chelsea. Their Nike away is a sleek black with electric blue circuit patterns, nodding to Stamford Bridge's tech-savvy owner era. It's futuristic yet grounded in club colors, with a premium feel that's hard to beat. The patterns evoke energy and speed, ideal for a high-pressing side.
No. 4: Manchester United. Adidas revives a classic with a stone rose-inspired pattern on a white base, harking back to the club's Mancunian roots. The red devil details are subtle yet powerful, blending heritage with modernity. It's a kit that could become iconic.
No. 3: Arsenal. Nike's offering is a cannon-gold base with black artillery motifs, celebrating the Gunners' history. It's bold, with a metallic sheen that demands attention. The design flows beautifully, making it one of the most photogenic kits this season.
No. 2: Liverpool. Their Nike away is a Scouse-red with yellow Anfield gate patterns, evoking the Kop's passion. It's emotional and striking, with feather-light fabric for peak performance. A near-perfect blend of tradition and innovation.
Finally, No. 1: Manchester City. Puma steals the show with a sky-blue kit featuring holographic Etihad skyline graphics that shift under light. It's innovative, tying into the club's global ambitions, with sustainable tech and a flawless fit. The subtle treble-star accents celebrate recent successes without arrogance. This kit isn't just wearable—it's a work of art, versatile for any away fixture and likely to fly off shelves.
Overall, this season's away kits reflect a league in flux, balancing bold creativity with respectful nods to history. From Southampton's drab effort to City's masterpiece, there's something for every taste. As matches kick off, these designs will undoubtedly spark debates among fans worldwide. (Word count: 1,048)
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