Cheaper And Better? 6 Training / Pre-Match Jerseys You Should Get Instead Of The Actual Kit
Aug 14, 2019, by Chris
Some days ago, we took a look at our Top 10 2019-2020 Pre-Match jerseys. Previously, we already featured some training / pre-match jerseys that actually offer a much better price-performance ratio than the actual kits. In this article, we want to take a look at six remarkable cases where it might be better to get the pre-match / training shirt instead of the actual kit.
Brands have released a lot of great and unique pre-match jerseys this year, and so there are more options than ever before. The picture above shows a special Adidas MLS 2019 pre-match uniform.
There are also some cases where the pre-match jersey looks like a design variant that was decided not to get the final kit, e.g. some of Umbro's training / pre-match designs for 2019-2020 such as Schalke.
Tech-wise, the pre-match jerseys are often better than the replica (fan) versions in terms of performance. In example, Adidas' and Nike's replica jerseys feature stitched crests, while their pre-match jerseys come with heat-printed logos, just as the authentic (player issue) jerseys. The pre-match shirts of the big brand also often have a player's fit, the same as the authentic shirts.
Leicester City
£55 vs £31.99
Puma (e.g. FC Ingolstadt)
75 Euro vs 35 Euro
Schalke 04
85 Euro vs 55 Euro
Fiorentina
100 Euro vs 45 Euro
Liverpool
60 GBP vs 45 GBP
Nigeria
85 Euro vs 55 Euro
The actual kits, of course, are much more important as they have the bonus of being worn in what counts - the 90 minutes. It might be often nevertheless clever to take a look at the pre-match offering....
Do you know other pre-match jerseys that have a great price-performance ratio? What do you think of brands doing this? Do you think it is is justified to spend so much more money on the actual kit in some cases? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
QPR Kit Clash Against West Brom
QPR faced a major kit clash in their EFL Championship away game at West Brom, wearing their pink away shirt with blue shorts against West Brom's traditional blue-and-white home shirt.
The bright pink of QPR looked surprisingly similar to the white stripes of West Brom on TV, while the blue shorts and dark details made the overall contrast even less clear.
From the wide camera angle, the two teams became difficult to distinguish, creating a frustrating viewing experience for fans.
Nike Kobe 8 Protro 'Mambacurial' Releasing Next Week
Nike is set to officially bring back one of its most famous crossover designs, the Kobe 8 Protro "Mambacurial", releasing on September 19, 2026. First introduced in 2013 as a tribute to Kobe Bryant's lifelong passion for football, the sneaker drew direct inspiration from the vibrant 2013 Nike Mercurial Vapor IX football boot. Thirteen years after its original debut, the model returns under the modernized Protro banner, uniting basketball performance with iconic football heritage. Big thanks to House of Heat.
The shoe faithfully recreates the beloved colorway, featuring a bold gradient across the engineered mesh upper in Red Plum, Pink Flash, and Electric Green. Signature football details define the look, including the oversized forefoot Swoosh that mimics Mercurial boot branding, massive block-letter "NIKE" lettering across the medial flank, and a translucent neon green outsole. Modern Protro upgrades have been implemented beneath the surface to provide improved cushioning and traction.
SK Brann Kvinner 26-27 Third Kit Released
Norwegian Toppserien side SK Brann Kvinner have officially unveiled their new 26-27 third kit, produced by Nike in collaboration with Unisport. The team debuted the vibrant new design during their away fixture against Lyn in Oslo.
The Nike SK Brann Kvinner 26-27 third shirt features a purple base paired with a large, dark rhododendron flower graphic printed across the front. The design honors Bergen's reputation as Norway's "Rhododendron City," known for the vibrant bushes that flourish in gardens and parks across the city. All branding, including the Nike Swoosh, monochrome Brann crest, and sponsor logos, is applied in a contrasting bright pink.
On the back, the jersey includes the inscription "For Bergen" in gothic lettering just below the collar, symbolizing the pride of representing the city on away trips. The new third uniform completes Brann Kvinner's 26-27 wardrobe alongside their traditional red home and dark away kits.
Special Club América 26-27 Kit Font Released
Club América has unveiled a special commemorative kit font for the 26-27 season, celebrating Mexican Independence Day and the club's marquee Clásico matches throughout September. The bespoke nameset replaces the regular squad typography on the back of Las Águilas' primary yellow home shirt, adopting the iconic green, white, and red of the Mexican flag.
The custom numbers feature a deep green base detailed with thin white vertical pinstripes. Embedded along the vertical lines are historic commemorative inscriptions, including the club name, the date "16 - 09 - 1810" marking the start of the Mexican War of Independence, and "INDEPENDENCIA DE MÉXICO". The player names above are rendered in vibrant red with a clean white outline.
To complete the patriotic design, each numeral incorporates a geometric red and cream 3D shadow effect, alongside Club América's crest placed at the base of every digit. The special typography delivers a unique cultural tribute, adding extra identity to the squad's jerseys during one of the most important periods of the Mexican football calendar.
