Borussia Dortmund’s brand-new away kit for the 2025/26 season has sparked fury among supporters, prompting the club to acknowledge the backlash and vow to respond.
The kit, which combines a white base with black sleeves and neon yellow detailing, was worn for the first time in Saturday’s 2-0 Bundesliga win over Heidenheim.
But instead of excitement, its debut was met with anger in the stands and online. Fans unfurled banners blasting it as “the cruelest jersey in the league” while chants of “We want black and yellow jerseys” rang out before kick-off, a pointed reminder of the club’s traditional colours.
Across social media, the reaction was no kinder. Many supporters branded the design a betrayal of Dortmund’s historic identity, with critics arguing it looks more like a training top than a shirt fit for the famous Schwarzgelben.
Club bosses have now pledged to listen.
Managing director Carsten Cramer took personal responsibility for the fallout, telling reporters: “The criticism has been received, and we are addressing it. The responsibility lies with me. We won’t always be able to please everyone when selecting jerseys.”
Carsten Cramer. / ANP/GettyImages
Sporting director Sebastian Kehl was more measured, reminding fans that opinions on kit design are always split.
“I think we have different opinions about jerseys every year,” he said. “It will never be the case that a Borussia Dortmund jersey meets with 100 percent approval. Fundamentally, we know which colors represent our city and our club, and that this is reflected in the design of almost all jerseys.”
He added, with a touch of humour: “However, there are also people who want something younger, something fresh, something creative. The new jersey brought BVB three points in Heidenheim. A successful jersey, I’d say. Everything else is a discussion that we as a club consider normal.”
Whether the kit makes another appearance when Dortmund travel to Mainz on September 27 remains to be seen, but if it does, you best believe that Dortmund fans to have something to say about it.
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