The unveiling of Borussia Dortmund’s latest away kit for the 2025/26 season stirred up intense discontent among fans, leading the club to acknowledge the criticism and promise a response.
The new kit features a white base paired with black sleeves and accented with neon yellow details. It was debuted during Saturday’s 2-0 victory against Heidenheim in the Bundesliga.
However, instead of an enthusiastic reception, the debut was met with anger both at the stadium and online. Fans raised banners criticizing it as “the cruelest jersey in the league” and chanted “We want black and yellow jerseys” before the match, emphasizing the club’s traditional colors.
On social media, the feedback was equally negative. Many fans saw the design as a departure from Dortmund’s storied identity, with detractors claiming it resembles a training top rather than a proper Schwarzgelben kit.
Club bosses have now pledged to listen.
Carsten Cramer, the managing director, acknowledged the issue, stating: “We have taken the criticism seriously and are looking into it. The responsibility is mine. Choosing jerseys that appeal to everyone is not always possible.”
Sporting director Sebastian Kehl was more measured, reminding fans that opinions on kit design are always split.
“Every year, opinions on jerseys vary,” he added. “A Borussia Dortmund jersey will never have universal approval. We recognize the significance of our colors that embody our city and club, and this is evident in the design of nearly all our 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.
