Football (soccer in the U.S., but we’ll use “football” here as per FIFA’s global definition) isn’t just a sport—it’s a cultural and commercial juggernaut. From the Premier League’s glitz to grassroots pitches, one question pops up repeatedly among team managers, sportswear brands, and retailers: Do football players get new jerseys every game? The answer isn’t black-and-white. It hinges on a club’s budget, league status, and the match’s significance.
As a custom wholesale jersey manufacturer serving B2B clients—teams of all levels, sportswear brands, and retailers—this guide is your playbook. We expect in-depth analysis, real-world examples, and practical tips to help you meet your clients’ needs—whether they’re outfitting a World Cup squad or a local youth team. Let’s dive in!
How Often Do Football Players Get New Jerseys? A Breakdown by Level
The frequency of new jerseys varies wildly across football. Elite clubs, lower-tier teams, and national squads all have unique approaches. Here’s the full scoop.
Top-Tier Clubs: New Jerseys Every Game (and Then Some)
For powerhouse clubs in leagues like the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, or the Bundesliga, the answer to do football players get new jerseys every game is a resounding yes. According to The Center Circle – A SoccerPro Soccer Fan Blog, top-tier pros typically get fresh jerseys for every match. This isn’t just about cleanliness—it’s about performance and branding.
Take Manchester City or Bayern Munich. With sponsorship deals—like City’s $80 million-a-year Puma contract or Bayern’s Adidas partnership—new jerseys are a drop in the bucket. Players might even use two jerseys per game. Picture this: during a Champions League clash, a striker like Kylian Mbappé could wear one jersey for the first half, swap it at halftime to stay dry, and finish the match in a second. With 50–60 games in a season (league, cups, Europe), that’s 100–120 jerseys per player—times a 25-player squad. We’re talking 2,500–3,000 jerseys annually for a single club!
This extravagance extends beyond match day. Training kits, warm-up gear, and spares for emergencies pile up. Clubs like Real Madrid might have kit rooms stocked with hundreds of jerseys, pre-printed with names and numbers, ready for every scenario—rain-soaked games, shirt tears, or last-minute call-ups.
Lower-Tier Clubs: Washing, Reusing, and Making It Work
Now, shift to the other end of the spectrum—lower-tier clubs like those in England’s League Two, Spain’s Segunda B, or smaller sides like SD Eibar. Here, do football players get new jerseys every game gets a different answer: usually no. As Scorum explains, these teams prioritize cost over constant replacement. Players might receive just 2–5 jerseys for an entire season, washed and reused after each match.
Consider a club like Accrington Stanley. With a modest budget—where a single jersey might cost $25–$30—outfitting an 18-player squad with new kits for 50 games would run $22,500–$27,000. That’s a non-starter when wages and travel eat up funds. Instead, kit managers wash jerseys, repair rips, and keep them in rotation. Durability trumps flash here—think sturdy polyester blends that hold up through mud, sweat, and industrial laundry cycles.
This approach isn’t universal, though. Some mid-tier clubs—like Norwich City in the Championship—might strike a balance, issuing new jerseys for big games (e.g., a playoff final) while reusing for routine fixtures. It’s a pragmatic mix of pride and penny-pinching.
National Teams and Tournaments: New Jerseys with Memorabilia Magic
When it’s time for international duty—FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euros, Copa América—the answer to do football players get new jerseys every game shifts again: yes, almost always. These jerseys aren’t just uniforms; they’re collector’s items. A Reddit thread on How many sets of jerseys do professional clubs have for each player? reveals jaw-dropping stats: Belgium’s 2014 World Cup squad of 23 players had over 2,000 jerseys prepared—match kits, training gear, and spares—averaging 400 per game across the tournament.
Why so many? National team jerseys often feature bespoke designs—match dates, opponents, and venues embroidered or printed on. Imagine Brazil vs. Germany, 2014 semi-final: Neymar’s jersey, marked with “July 8, 2014,” becomes a historical artifact. Players get fresh kits per game, partly for performance, partly for the branding bonanza that follows. Sponsors like Nike or Adidas capitalize on these moments, selling replicas to fans worldwide.
Detailed Comparison Table
| Team Level | Jersey Frequency | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Clubs (e.g., EPL) | New per game, some mid-game | Liverpool, Juventus | 100–120 jerseys/player/season |
| Lower-Tier Clubs | Reused, washed after games | Accrington Stanley, Osasuna | 2–5 jerseys/season, cost-driven |
| National Teams/Tourneys | New per game, often unique | Brazil World Cup, England Euros | 400+ jerseys/game in big events |
The Unsung Heroes: Kit Managers and Cleaning Logistics
Behind every jersey—new or reused—stands a team of kit managers and cleaning crews. Their work shapes how often players get fresh kits and how long those jerseys last.
Kit Managers: The Backbone of the Operation
Kit managers (or “kit men”) are football’s logistical wizards. For top clubs, they prep multiple jerseys per player per game—home, away, third kits, spares—ensuring everything’s pristine. SoccerPro notes they also manage shorts, socks, shin guards, and boots, coordinating with manufacturers for constant restocks.
For lower-tier teams, their role shifts to maintenance. After a muddy Saturday match, they’ll collect jerseys, run them through industrial washers, and mend tears—sometimes overnight—to have them ready for Tuesday’s fixture. In the 1990s, players at smaller clubs—like non-league sides—might’ve washed training kits at home. Today, even modest teams rely on professional setups, though budgets dictate fewer replacements.
Cleaning Tech: Keeping Reused Jerseys Game-Ready
Washing isn’t just soap and water—it’s a science. Modern football jerseys use moisture-wicking fabrics (e.g., Nike’s Dri-FIT or Adidas’ Climalite), which need specific detergents to maintain performance. Kit managers at mid-tier clubs might wash 50–100 jerseys weekly, using machines that preserve stitching and sponsor logos. For a League One side playing 46 league games, that’s 2,300–4,600 wash cycles a season—demanding fabrics that don’t fade or fray.
Your Opportunity as a Manufacturer
Kit managers are your allies. Top clubs need suppliers who can deliver bulk orders fast—say, 500 jerseys in a week for a busy stretch. Lower-tier teams want durable kits that survive 50 washes without losing shape. Offer both—premium quick-turnaround options and rugged, budget-friendly lines—and you’ll be their go-to partner.
What Happens to Used Jerseys? A Journey Beyond the Pitch
Once the final whistle blows, jerseys don’t vanish. Their post-game fate influences team budgets and procurement plans. Here’s the rundown.
Swapping Jerseys: A Tradition of Respect
Swapping shirts is football’s handshake. The Guardian recounts how Graham Le Saux amassed a collection from Zidane, Raúl, Figo, and Henry. Legends like Messi reportedly own hundreds—some swapped, some gifted by teammates. After a 2022 World Cup match, Messi’s Argentina jersey became a prize for France’s Kylian Mbappé, a nod to their rivalry.
This tradition cuts into jersey stocks. If 11 starters swap after every game, a club could lose 550 jerseys in a 50-game season—pushing demand higher.
Tossed to Fans: A Moment of Connection
Post-match, players often peel off jerseys and toss them into the crowd. After Liverpool’s 2019 Champions League comeback vs. Barcelona, Mohamed Salah gifted his to a roaring Anfield. It’s a spontaneous act—priceless for fans, costly for kit rooms. Clubs might budget extras for these moments, especially after big wins.
Auctions and Charity: Turning Sweat into Gold
Used jerseys can fetch big bucks. Pelé’s 1970 World Cup final kit sold for $225,000 at auction, per industry reports. Smaller clubs might sell a captain’s jersey from a cup upset for $500–$1,000, funneling proceeds to youth academies or charities. Others donate kits—like Arsenal’s 2021 partnership with refugee programs—boosting goodwill.
Memorabilia: Preserving History
For milestone games—World Cup finals, a player’s 100th cap—jerseys become keepsakes. England’s 1966 World Cup winners kept theirs, now museum pieces. National teams often retain spares, too; Belgium’s 2014 haul included extras for archives.
Used Jersey Destinations Table
| Destination | Description | Examples | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swapped | Traded with opponents | Messi’s Zidane jersey | Reduces stock by 550+/season |
| Given to Fans | Thrown or handed to supporters | Salah’s 2019 CL kit | Boosts fan loyalty |
| Auctioned/Donated | Sold or given to charity | Pelé’s $225K jersey | Funds teams or causes |
| Memorabilia | Kept by players/teams | England 1966 kits | Preserves legacy |
How This Shapes Procurement—and Your Business
Teams’ jersey habits dictate their buying patterns. Here’s how you can align your offerings to win their business.
Top Clubs: Volume and Prestige
Elite teams burn through jerseys. A Reddit estimate suggests MLS’s Seattle Sounders prep 10 match jerseys per player annually—250+ for a squad—plus training kits Reddit. Add Champions League runs, and numbers soar. They need:
- Bulk orders: 500–1,000 jerseys per season.
- Customization: Names, numbers, sponsor logos.
- Quality: Lightweight, breathable fabrics.
Your pitch? Fast delivery, premium materials, and flexibility for mid-season restocks.
Lower-Tier Clubs: Durability on a Dime
Budget teams like Rochdale might limit players to 2 match jerseys per game in reserve, washing them for 46 league games. Total cost for 18 players at $25/jersey? $900—spread over a season. They want:
- Durability: Kits that endure 50+ washes.
- Affordability: $20–$30 per unit.
- Simplicity: Fewer custom extras, more stock designs.
Offer rugged, cost-effective lines—think reinforced seams and fade-proof dyes—and you’ll lock in these clients.
National Teams: Event-Driven Excellence
Tournaments demand flair. Belgium’s 2,000+ jerseys for 2014 show the scale; a 7-game World Cup run could mean 400 match jerseys alone. They need:
- Unique designs: Match-specific details.
- Volume: Hundreds per event.
- Speed: Tight deadlines pre-tournament.
Position yourself as the go-to for bespoke, high-stakes orders.
Procurement Needs by Team Type
| Team Type | Key Need | Your Solution | Example Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Clubs | Bulk, premium jerseys | Fast, customizable bulk orders | 500 jerseys, $50 each |
| Lower-Tier Clubs | Durable, cost-effective kits | Affordable, wash-resistant designs | 50 jerseys, $25 each |
| National Teams | Unique, high-volume kits | Personalized, tournament-ready jerseys | 400 jerseys, $60 each |
Conclusion: Score Big with Tailored Solutions
So, do football players get new jerseys every game? Top clubs say yes—sometimes twice a match. Lower-tier teams say no, stretching kits through washes. National squads say yes, with designs that echo history.
As a B2B jersey manufacturer, these patterns are your roadmap. Equip elite clubs with premium, bulk kits to match their pace. Arm lower-tier teams with durable, budget-friendly gear that lasts. Craft standout jerseys for national teams to shine on the global stage. Whatever the need, we’ve got the expertise to deliver—customized, wholesale, and on time.
Contact us today for a quote or consultation. Whether it’s 1,000 jerseys for a Premier League giant or 10 for a youth squad, we’ll help your clients look their best, game after game. Let’s kick things up a notch!
