If you’re a football or rugby fan, you’ll know that in sport, kit colours can vary to every colour of the rainbow – but is there a reason behind it, and how do football kit colours (or rugby kit colours) get chosen?
We’ve spoken in the past about the need for third kits in football, but in this article, we will look at the most popular colour of sports shirt and explore whether kit colours have any effect on the team’s performance, and whether these colours impact how their fans view them.
What are the most popular football kit colours?
Kit colours are not only important in distinguishing teams from one another on the pitch, but they can also plan a psychological role on teammates, opponents and fans. But what are the most common kit colours in sport?
In the English football league, the most common colours are red and blue. In fact 63% of the 92 clubs in the league have either red or blue as their main colour. It’s not surprising that red and blue are the top two most popular shirt colours in football though – with renowned teams such as Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal donning red and Chelsea, Manchester City, and Everton adopting blue.
White is also a frequently used colour in football, either as a primary or secondary choice. For example, both Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United have been known to play in white. Black is commonly chosen for alternate or third kits, and teams like Inter Milan and Newcastle United use black prominently.
Yellow is often used for away kits or alternate strips, with both Arsenal and Leeds United’s away kits featuring the colour yellow. Green, while less common, is still seen in teams in the football league, such as both Plymouth Argyle and Yeovil Town playing in green and white. On top of this, green is quite a common colour for goalkeepers to play in, as they stand out from the other players on the pitch.
These colours and combinations not only help in distinguishing teams on the field but also play a crucial role in the teams’ branding and identity, influencing fan merchandise and loyalty.
What are the most successful football shirt colours?
However, are the most popular football kit colours also the most successful?
According to a study by sports wear brand Gola in 2019, not necessarily. They gathered data on every home and away game played since the beginning of the Premier League in 1992 until the end of the 17/18 season, and cross-referenced this against the colours worn to learn whether a correlation was present. Where the kit had multiple colours, the noted colour was the one that covered the majority of the kit.
They found that, despite red and blue being the top choices in the current English football league, white actually came out as the most commonly worn colour in the premier league throughout this time period, with it being worn 4,156 times out of 20,490 games.
However, the most successful kit colour was red – both on wins and based on points. Teams wearing red racked up an impressive 1693 wins and a total of 6929 points, making it by far the most successful colour!
In fact, white was the colour that was the most likely to produce a draw! So, if you want to ensure you beat the other team, maybe avoid wearing white. We’re looking at you, England…
Is there a psychological impact of different coloured kits on players?
The short answer to this is yes. Colour psychology dictates that different colours can evoke specific feelings and reactions in different people, influencing their mood, behaviour and decision-making.
For example, red is the most successful kit colour choice for a reason. The colour red is often associated with power, energy and aggression, potentially giving players a psychological edge. Blue, another popular colour choice, is linked to calmness and focus, which could help players stay composed under pressure.
And it’s not just red and blue that can impact players’ game. White, for example, often symbolises purity, safety and fulfilment in Western cultures. Cristiano Ronaldo commented that wearing the Real Madrid kit makes him “feel a sense of purity and focus that helps me perform at my best”. According to Real Madrid’s X account, he also once said “I feel fulfilled every time I put the white shirt on and I always try to do my very best”.
On the other hand, a black kit can have negative impacts on a player’s psychology and mindset. Black can have a threatening, unwelcoming feel, and also represents death, which can leave players feeling unenthusiastic and negative towards the game. On top of this, a study of NFL and ice hockey teams discovered that teams wearing an all black kit had a significant increase of penalties awarded against them compared to teams that wore colour.
Do kit colours influence opponents?
Just as the colour of the kit can influence an individual player and their teammates, it can also influence their opponents. For instance, the colour red often symbolises a threat or warning, so a team wearing red might appear more aggressive and intimidating to their opponents, potentially causing more pressure for the other team.
A team in blue might seem more composed and strategic, which could affect the confidence and psychological state of the opposing players. Similarly, a team in white can convey a sense of purity, which might make opponents underestimate their strength and resilience.
Yellow is often associated with energy and positivity, potentially boosting the team’s morale while making opponents feel less confident or hesitant. Gold, on the other hand, can be associated with arrogance and superficiality, which could give the opposition a psychological advantage if they view the team as being ‘all bark and no bite’.
Therefore, the colours of a team’s kit can significantly impact the psychological dynamics with their opponents.
How do kit colours affect fan perception and loyalty?
Kit colours can have a huge impact on fan perception and loyalty. The colours of a team’s kit often become deeply intertwined with the team’s identity, shaping how fans view and connect with the team. For instance, iconic colours can evoke strong emotional connections and a sense of pride among fans, reinforcing their loyalty. Bright and bold colours, such as red or yellow, can create an energetic and exciting atmosphere, attracting fans who thrive on high energy and enthusiasm. Conversely, more subdued colours like blue or white can appeal to fans who value calmness and sophistication.
Additionally, kit colours can symbolise tradition and heritage, with long-standing teams often retaining their classic colours to maintain a sense of continuity and respect for the past. Fans often develop a sentimental attachment to these colours, viewing any change as a significant shift in the team’s identity. This strong association can enhance fan loyalty, as supporters feel a deeper connection to the team’s history and legacy.
Colour controversies and changes to kits
Probably the biggest controversy over a kit was in April 1996, when Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson ordered the team to change from their grey kit into their blue and white second away kit due to poor visibility and the players being unable to spot one another in their game against Southampton!
How Gift of Kit can help
If reading this has made you want to redesign your kit to red, we don’t blame you, and we are here to help!
Here at Gift of Kit, our aim is to support grassroot sports clubs by connecting them with businesses that can provide sponsored kits for free and to bring investment to these smaller community teams.
Through our sponsorship programme, we have delivered over £4 million worth of sponsored kit to clubs on behalf of global partners such as Sky Sports, Starling Bank and Kia Motors!
If you are interested in learning more or want to discover how Gift of Kit could help your team, please register your interest or get in touch with us today!