Third kits aren’t a new phenomenon, but they have exploded in popularity in the Premier League in recent years.ย
It was very common for the previous year’s away kit to take that spot, and it would just be called the alternate and only used when there was an unavoidable clash.
Now your club absolutely has to have a third kit. Or a European kit. Or an anniversary kit. Or just go crazy and have one of each in a single season so you lose count of how many you have by the end of the year.
Mega deals with manufacturers mean that every last penny has to be squeezed out of the fanbase in order to get a return on investment. And they don’t come cheaply.
The constant churn of jerseys means we get a lot of repetition and dilution, but at least with third kits we do see them try something outside the box.
We’ve looked through every Premier League club’s latest release to see if that is the case.
Ranked: The best third kits in the Premier League in 2023/24
20. Sheffield United
The Blades got some bloody nice third shirts out of Adidas, but Errea have just stuck the club crest on a plain white tee and left it at that. Zero marks for zero effort.
Steel in our Veins. โ๏ธ
The 23/24 Third & Third GK Kit are now available online and in store.#SUFC ????
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) September 18, 2023
19. Aston Villa
This didn’t start out life on this list so low, but the more we looked over the kits the further it kept falling down the rankings. It’s not the worst Aston Villa top we’ve ever seen, but Castore produce poor quality jerseys with poor designs.
Aston Villa's new third kit for the upcoming season. ???? pic.twitter.com/m1iWMIDHXE
— Football Tweet โฝ๎จ (@Football__Tweet) August 25, 2023
The worst Premier League kits released this summer
18.ย Newcastle Utd
Newcastle have had some absolutely rotten third kits through the years, so credit to Castore here, this isn’t among them. But it still looks cheap and unsightly.
???? OFFICIAL: Newcastleโs third kit for the new season. ????โก๏ธ pic.twitter.com/FHvSn94qET
— Football Tweet โฝ๎จ (@Football__Tweet) July 21, 2023
17.ย West Ham Utd
It’s not a bad looking top, but it also looks like a designated training shirt.
OFFICIAL: West Ham 2023/24 third kit. pic.twitter.com/39XwYKnkgt
— West Ham (C)entral ???? (@WestHam_Central) August 19, 2023
16. Chelseaย
A bit dull, but at least the mint looks fresh.
Chelsea drop their third kit ???? pic.twitter.com/JA56ldtheT
— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 13, 2023
15. Wolves
As far as Castore jerseys go, this isn’t the worst.
???????? Wolves' new third kit for the 2023/24 season. pic.twitter.com/cVp8GWdeYE
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) August 17, 2023
10 of the best new football kits in Europe this season
14. Tottenham
There’s not much to say about Spurs‘ latest drop other than “it’s nice”. Instantly forgettable, though.
Thoughts on the new third kit?
It will be worn in tonightโs match against Fulham pic.twitter.com/CRnXLiREoe
— The Spurs Web (@thespursweb) August 29, 2023
13. Burnley
Burnley’s alternate kit takes inspiration from Turf Moor’s floodlights. Nice idea from Umbro, decent execution.
Burnley's new third kit is inspired by the flood lights of Turf Moor. And we don't hate it. pic.twitter.com/JFcc3UFh94
— COPA90 (@Copa90) August 1, 2023
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12. Crystal Palace
Not for the first time Crystal Palace have incorporated south London-inspired graffiti into one of their kits. The end result is better than what I usually expect from these kind of efforts.
???? OFFICIAL: Crystal Palace have unveiled their new third kit for the season. โซ๏ธ???? pic.twitter.com/sOZpaXW8qw
— Football Tweet โฝ๎จ (@Football__Tweet) August 7, 2023
11.ย Bournemouth
This jersey won’t be to everyone’s liking, but Umbro have done well with this retro-inspired Bournemouth effort.
We keep moving! ????????
I love this kit! ????@afcbournemouth #afcb pic.twitter.com/9qLqL7e4CR
— Nick Osborn (@NickOsborn95) August 2, 2023
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10.ย Fulham
The subtle pink set against black with a geometric design looks tight, if unspectacular.
โซ๏ธโก๏ธ Fulham's new third kit for the 2023/24 season. They will wear it against Man City tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/oJJKsgmEeo
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) September 1, 2023
The Streets Won’t Forget: Adel Taarabt
9. Everton
I was getting ready to hate this, mainly because the grey looked very boring at a glance, but the retro feel, from the pinstripes down to the minimalist crest, is a winner.
Everton's new third kit for the season!#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/SoYky3jLQM
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) August 30, 2023
8. Brighton
Brighton’s third kit is actually their Europa League kit, created to mark their first ever bow in the competition. So, despite the fact we’ll never see it in the Premier League, this nice white-and-marine-green gradient comes in at number eight.
โช๏ธ???? Brighton have released a limited edition Europa League shirt for the 2023/24 season.
The shirt design is inspired by the city's famous Royal Pavilion. pic.twitter.com/nsHM0ooN6Z
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) September 1, 2023
The most iconic football kits of all time
7. Luton Town
There is definitely more Umbro than we’re used to in the Premier League these days, and if it means more jerseys like this one from the English manufacturer then we will be very happy.
Rate or hate? ????
Luton have unveiled their new third kit, which pays homage to their iconic home ground ????
The navy and pink shirt – inspired by the Hatters' first colours tailored by Umbro – bares the aerial outline of Kenilworth Road from above ????๏ธ
????: https://t.co/BMtFj4LzhTโฆ pic.twitter.com/IXlzQ627vi
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) September 20, 2023
6. Nottingham Forest
This is a lovely navy and coral design from Adidas for Nottingham Forest’s third kit.
Leigh Wood with the Nottingham Forest third kit ????
The GOAT is one of our own ???? #NFFC pic.twitter.com/VqqmTEF6HQ
— Forest Watch (@ForestWatch_) August 1, 2023
5. Liverpool
It’s nice to see a kit manufacturer try something a little new and pull it off. Great effort by Nike for this Liverpool jersey.
We'll wear our new Nike third kit for the first time in Sunday's @BarclaysWSL opener at Arsenal ????
— Liverpool FC Women (@LiverpoolFCW) September 25, 2023
4. Man Utd
It’s sharp, clean, and a damn sight better than Manchester United‘s away kit.
Man United have released their third kit for the 2023/24 season!
A thing of beauty ???? #mufc pic.twitter.com/OhaJHwhnnd
— Man United News (@ManUtdMEN) August 8, 2023
3. Brentford
One more Umbro for the road – and it’s a belter. Brentford’s navy, pink and turquoise third kit sports a pattern that illustrates the wing of a bee. It looks brilliant, and as a Fulham fan that is hard for this writer to admit.
Brentford FC x @umbro 2023/24 Third Kit
Wherever we go. Weโre all Brentford.
Shop now โก๏ธ https://t.co/8LXEYErt4n pic.twitter.com/Fbgq1zTRo8
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) July 21, 2023
2. Man City
Another jersey reserved for European competition, Manchester City‘s third kit is sensational. Forget the lame promotional guff about it being “inspired by the electric energy of Cityzens around the globe”. The sparky pattern and neon pink details look fantastic set against the jet black top.
Man City have unveiled their new third kit for the upcoming season โก๏ธ pic.twitter.com/fZT7u9sMtl
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) July 25, 2023
1. Arsenalย
Like with Manchester United, Adidas have created an awful looking away kit but made up for it with the third one. And how! The colours are perfect, the cannon crest is delightful, and the embroidered AFC lettering on the collar is a lovely touch.
โจ???? Arsenal's new third kit for the 2023/24 season. pic.twitter.com/ZuPC7oXYHk
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) August 18, 2023
Ranked – The 10 best football kits in Europe this season
See Also – The best Premier League kits released this summer
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