Athens Kallithea Carries Over Complete Kit Set for 2025-26 Season Against "Gross Overproduction" In Football Kit Industry
- Kit Cycle Extension: Athens Kallithea FC is extending its current kit cycle for a second season (2025-26), renaming their 2024-25 collection as the "24-26 collection".
- Criticism of Overproduction: The club's decision is a statement against "gross overproduction" in the football kit industry, with the club highlighting the environmental concerns and the pressure on fans to constantly buy new kits.
- Challenging Industry Norms: AKFC challenges the trend of releasing multiple kits per year, calling out the "desperate drive to capitalize" on trends and create uninspired products.
In a stand against the current football merchandising trend, Greek club Athens Kallithea FC has announced the club will extend its current kit cycle for a second season, with its 2024-25 collection now renamed as the "24-26 collection."
Greek Club Carries Over Kits, Takes Stand Against "Gross Overproduction" In Football Kit Industry
The decision comes with a powerful statement from the club criticizing the industry's current practices: "It seems clear there is gross overproduction in the football industry right now. The market is flooded and fans are drowning. Releasing four or more kits per year, with quality succumbing to quantity."
AKFC has restocked its previously sold-out home, away, and third shirts on its online store, responding to continued demand from supporters. The club released bespoke new Kappa kits in every one of the three previous campaigns.
We don’t feel urgency to replace a collection that we love and don’t think has an expiration date
The statement directly challenges industry norms that have seen top clubs release up to four new kits annually, plus additional collaboration collections and special edition jerseys. AKFC pointedly referenced the "desperate drive to capitalize" and attempts to "squeeze everything out of bloke core before it fades," suggesting many clubs are chasing trends rather than creating meaningful products. The club also says these special kits of other clubs are often uninspired or without meaning.
Environmental concerns also factored into the decision, with the club acknowledging they "don't pretend to have the answers" but noting that "the industry is conveniently ignoring" the environmental impact of constant production cycles.
The Greek club's approach revives a tradition from the 1990s and early 2000s when two-year kit cycles were more common. While acknowledging potential financial risks of reduced merchandising opportunities, AKFC stated: "Ultimately it's what feels right at the moment."
This counter-industry approach aligns with a growing sentiment among some supporters who feel overwhelmed by the constant turnover of football merchandise and the financial burden of keeping up with new releases.
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