The Ref Stop

New 2026 Kit

freddier

New Member
Level 7 Referee
Assuming there’s a new supplier for the 2026 kits (puma?), does anyone know if they will be introduced for the 25/26 season or the following 26/27 season?
 
The Ref Stop
Current kits are for 4 seasons and Nike Lifespan for the range ends December 2025, should be the same kit until end of 25/26 season as that’s the 4th year
These are the four seasons agreed
22-23

23-24

24-25

25-26

I’m not sure why PGMOL would change from 25-26 @ASM - do you know why this is?

Can’t see it being Puma though, the FA and Nike have been tight in recent years
 
Current kits are for 4 seasons and Nike Lifespan for the range ends December 2025, should be the same kit until end of 25/26 season as that’s the 4th year
These are the four seasons agreed
22-23

23-24

24-25

25-26

I’m not sure why PGMOL would change from 25-26 @ASM - do you know why this is?

Can’t see it being Puma though, the FA and Nike have been tight in recent years
PGMOL contract with Nike ends after season 2024/25, that’s why it is changing.
 
Thanks @ASM

Interesting. We’ve already been assured not even a month ago that despite that, our kit (grassroots / level 4) will remain until the end of the 4 seasons

We will see!
 
Thanks @ASM

Interesting. We’ve already been assured not even a month ago that despite that, our kit (grassroots / level 4) will remain until the end of the 4 seasons

We will see!
Just because the PGMOL kit is changing (For PGMOL officials) doesn't mean those at step 2-6 and grassroots has to change
 
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As I'm reading this, it appears that only the PGMOL kits will require to change. But I have a couple of questions.

1. Is it confirmed that Nike will no longer supply PGMOL referee kits, or is it just that the current Nike contract expires and Nike could sign a new contract?

2. If Nike is not going to be the kit provider, who are the favorites? Except for a friendly at the Emirates many years ago, I've never seen a Puma referee kit. Adidas and Macron are really the only two other providers that have a presence in more than a country or two. Example - Legea is the kit supplier for Australia and Italy, but I've never seen Legea anywhere else.
 
As I'm reading this, it appears that only the PGMOL kits will require to change. But I have a couple of questions.

1. Is it confirmed that Nike will no longer supply PGMOL referee kits, or is it just that the current Nike contract expires and Nike could sign a new contract?

2. If Nike is not going to be the kit provider, who are the favorites? Except for a friendly at the Emirates many years ago, I've never seen a Puma referee kit. Adidas and Macron are really the only two other providers that have a presence in more than a country or two. Example - Legea is the kit supplier for Australia and Italy, but I've never seen Legea anywhere else.
A friend of mine is an EFL ref and has been part of the focus group working with Puma to help design the new kits, so I think it’s now safe to say that, certainly for PGMOL levels, that the kit is changing to Puma from next summer.

It will be interested to see how it filters down the levels though, as it’ll look really odd at steps 2-6 if some are in Puma and some still wearing Nike.
 
It will be interested to see how it filters down the levels though, as it’ll look really odd at steps 2-6 if some are in Puma and some still wearing Nike.
I expect that NLS will get a free shirt again. That is L4 and above.

And referees not in matching kit just widely accepted at step 5-6 and below unless keen ARs who update/purchase kit themselves.
 
I’d imagine that the PGMOL kit will be a new and unique design. When MLS referees switched from Adidas to Capelli a few years ago, Capelli designed a completely new kit with different colors from what was sold to the mass market. I would highly doubt that Puma is working with a PGMOL focus group to just give the “off the rack” kit to them.
 
I’d imagine that the PGMOL kit will be a new and unique design. When MLS referees switched from Adidas to Capelli a few years ago, Capelli designed a completely new kit with different colors from what was sold to the mass market. I would highly doubt that Puma is working with a PGMOL focus group to just give the “off the rack” kit to them.
2 seasons later it'll be being worn by John Smith in the Uxbridge sunday league on a rainy October morning
 
I’ve got current Puma kits and I’ve not had a lot of this poor quality at any point, and I’ve been doing this 24 years - they are horrendous. Thin and paper and full of pulls.

The other issue with a unique kit is if it’s not distributed through normal Puma selling channels (eg set suppliers) there’s a chance that someone like Ref Stop or A&H will be given all the stock and like they do now, price it £20 above everyone else. Will be even easier for them to do so if it’s not as widely available too

At least grassroots referees still have the Nike for a further season. The 25/26 change is only for PGMOL.
 
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