German Football Bids Farewell to Adidas to Embrace Nike

Adidas and the German Football Association (DFB) are releasing a commemorative black-and-gold “Farewell” kit to close out their iconic 72-year partnership before Nike takes over in 2027.

The Farewell Kit

The Design: The special third jersey features an all-black base with vertical gold pinstripes, white and gold collar/sleeve trim, the retro Adidas Trefoil logo, and the vintage DFB crest used between 1978 and 1996. It also includes a “Seit 1954” (“Since 1954”) detail at the hem honoring the year the partnership began.

On-Pitch Appearance: The German Team is set to wear the special shirt during their late-2026 UEFA Nations League fixtures.

Retail Release: The kit becomes available to the public on November 3, 2026.

The Switch to Nike: Ending the relationship that spanned all four of Germany’s men’s World Cup triumphs, Nike officially begins its supplier contract with the DFB on January 1, 2027.

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Why Did the DFB Break a 72- year long relationship ?

The decision by the German Football Association (DFB) to drop Adidas for Nike came down mainly to Financial Considerations.

Nike Outbid Adidas

Nike’s Offer was €100 million per year (contract running 2027–2034), while Adidas offered €50 million per year.

DFB’s Financial Pressure

The DFB is a non-profit organising body responsible for over 24,000 clubs and 2.2 million active players in Germany. Following years of financial strain, partly due to the men’s national team’s early exits at recent major tournaments, the DFB desperately needed a capital infusion. The extra €50 million annually would fund grassroots programs, youth development, and women’s football.

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Fair Bidding Laws

Because the DFB is a public-serving organization in Germany, it is legally required to hold transparent, open-tender processes for supplier contracts. It could not give Adidas a “patriotism discount” or turn down a vastly superior offer without violating its fiduciary duty to German football.

The Backlash…

The move caused severe backlash across Germany : ” I can hardly imagine the German jersey without the three stripes. Adidas and black-red-gold always belonged together for me, a piece of German identity.”
– Robert Habeck, Vice Chancellor of Germany, voiced a pent-up emotion.

… And The Response

The DFB responded by acknowledging the emotional weight of ending a 72-year legacy, but emphasised that its duty was to secure the financial future of German sports, which made turning down Nike impossible.

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