New 2026-27 Kits: VVV-Venlo and Rochdale's Unique Designs
The new season is still taking shape on the pitch, but in the kit rooms across Europe, the work is already done. Four clubs, four very different stories stitched into polyester – from Venlo to Copenhagen, from Troyes to Shrewsbury.
VVV-Venlo: Black, Mint and a Nod to the City
VVV-Venlo have rounded off their 2026-27 collection with an away shirt that looks built for night games under sharp floodlights.
Craft keep it simple and deliberate: a black base, subtle tonal striping running through the body, and mint green doing the talking on the edges. The logos and sponsor marks all follow that mint theme, popping cleanly against the darkness.
Then there’s the twist. The club’s traditional yellow-and-black crest refuses to blend in. It stands out against the black-and-mint canvas, a reminder that this is still VVV, even as the design leans into a modern, city-driven aesthetic. The shirt continues the collection’s tribute to Venlo itself, but it does so without clutter or gimmicks – just strong contrast and a sharp, urban feel.
Rochdale: Back in the EFL, Back in Style
Rochdale AFC return to the English Football League this season, and they are not sneaking in quietly. Their new 2026-27 away kit from O’Neills is as bold as the club’s promotion.
The base is a soft pink, instantly eye-catching, framed by white side panels that give the shirt structure. A white V-neck collar and matching sleeve cuffs bring a classic outline, but they’re trimmed with black and pink detailing that adds a touch of edge.
The crest, O’Neills logo and sponsor all go monochrome black. No fuss, no colour clash, just a clean, retro-inspired look that feels deliberately old-school yet unmistakably current. It’s the kind of kit that says Rochdale are not just back in the EFL – they intend to be noticed.
FC Copenhagen Women: Tradition in White, Steel in Black
In Denmark, FC Copenhagen Women step into 26-27 with a pair of Adidas designs that mirror the club’s growing profile.
The home shirt stays faithful to tradition: a crisp white base, the club’s identity in its purest form. Across that white canvas runs a streamlined Adidas graphic in blue and purple, a modern pattern already seen on the likes of Köln and Yokohama F Marinos. It keeps the shirt unmistakably Copenhagen, but plugs it straight into Adidas’ contemporary design language.
The away kit flips the mood. Black dominates, cut through by a blue sash that gives the shirt its personality. It’s a stark contrast to the home strip – darker, more aggressive, built for tough away days. Between the two, Copenhagen Women have a set that balances heritage with a sharper, global look.
Troyes: Sunset Tones and Cat Alley
ESTAC Troyes and Puma have gone local and lyrical with their new 26-27 away jersey.
The design draws directly from the Ruelle des Chats – Cat Alley – one of Troyes’ most famous historic streets. It’s not just a name-check. The colours have been chosen to mirror the tones of the city’s old building facades as they catch the light at sunset.
The result is a shirt that feels rooted in place rather than in a generic template. Every shade is there to echo Troyes’ architectural charm, turning a simple away kit into a moving postcard from the city.
Shrewsbury Town: In the Loop and in Full Set
Shrewsbury Town have completed their 26-27 wardrobe with a third shirt that wears its geography on its sleeves.
Made by Oxen, the jersey is built around the River Severn, the defining curve of the town. The sleeves carry a distinct graphic pattern tracing the river’s looping path, tying directly into the launch tagline: “In the Loop”. It’s a clever idea – a local landmark turned into a visual identity.
The third kit is already on sale online and in the club store, joining a home shirt that marks Shrewsbury’s 140th anniversary and a previously released away strip. Together, they give the club a full set for the new League Two campaign: history on the home, function on the away, and a bold, geographic story on the third.
Different leagues, different ambitions, but one clear trend: clubs are no longer content with just colours and stripes. They want stories on their shirts. The question now is simple – which of these will still look iconic when the season’s memories are written into them?
