West Ham United have agreed a kit deal with top sports brand New Balance, meaning next season’s 130-year anniversary strip will be Umbro’s last for now.
If Graham Potter wasn’t already under enough pressure to get West Ham back on track next season, it’s also the club’s 130th anniversary.
It’s been a torrid start to life in east London for Potter with three wins from his first 15 games.
The Englishman has been given grace by West Ham supporters until he has his own team in place after the summer transfer window.
Depending on how his rebuild pans out, expectations will be to get the Hammers back in contention for a top half finish at the very least.
West Ham kit switch rumours finally put to bed
With the club currently 17th in the Premier League table, he has a big job on his hands.
Additional pressure will be applied given it is a milestone year for the club.
Founded as Thames Ironworks in 1895, the club officially became West Ham on July 5th 1900.
The Hammers faithful West Ham are fiercely proud of their history and roots.
And it’s not just Potter they will be expecting big things from but Umbro too.
Hammers supporters will want to see something a bit special for the 130-year anniversary.
There has been much speculation over West Ham’s kit manufacturer over the last few years.
Rumours of a switch to Nike for the first time or back to Adidas have circulated.
Current kit maker Umbro have faced plenty of criticism in the past too, not always getting things right.
The firm did redeem itself somewhat with this season’s kits which have – on the whole – been very well received.
West Ham’s 130-year anniversary kit will be Umbro’s last
Umbro has made kits for West Ham United across several periods in the club’s history – including the their first ever replica shirts.
West Ham’s deal with Umbro, which began in 2015, was extended in a long-term agreement and then renewed again behind the scenes for another year in 2023.
Earlier this season it was revealed the Hammers had been in talks with several kit manufacturers about a move away from Umbro.
The club is said to have been reviewing the market by talking to the other major brands who make Premier League strips, including Castore, Puma and Macron in addition to Nike and Adidas.
Umbro are into the last season of their West Ham deal next term.
New era as West Ham agree New Balance deal
And West Ham’s 130-year anniversary kit will be Umbro’s last as a deal is agreed with top US brand New Balance.
Sport Business has exclusively revealed that West Ham snubbed Castore – who had major issues with their Villa and Newcastle kits in recent times – in order to sign a long-term contract with New Balance.
The deal kicks in for the 2026/27 season, making next term Umbro’s last of the current arrangement.
New Balance were previously Liverpool’s kit manufacturers and West Ham have agreed a deal for a minimum of five years.
As things stand the Hammers will be the only club in the Premier League with New Balance as their kit maker. But with a year to go until the switch, that could change.
New Balance have a large store in Westfield Stratford, next to West Ham’s London Stadium home.
West Ham kit manufacturers 1960s-present
Umbro (1960s)
Umbro physically produced West Ham’s first kits for sale to fans – as well as England during the same period. But this was without any Umbro branding on the kits.
Admiral (1976–1980)
Admiral was the first official kit manufacturer for West Ham United. Before this, kits were largely produced without brand recognition.
Adidas (1980–1987)
After Admiral, Adidas took over, introducing their iconic three stripes to the West Ham kit.
Scoreline (1987–1989)
A smaller brand, Scoreline, was next in line, creating kits that were notably distinct from the Adidas era.
Bukta (1989–1993)
Bukta came in after Scoreline and produced kits with a simpler design, featuring the company’s logo prominently.
Pony (1993–1999)
Pony took over in the mid-90s, producing kits during West Ham’s return to the Premier League era.
Fila (1999–2003)
Fila replaced Pony and provided the kits for the early 2000s, including the 2002-03 season when West Ham were relegated.
Reebok (2003–2007)
Reebok came in after Fila, providing kits during the Hammers’ rise back to the Premier League, including their 2006 FA Cup final appearance.
Umbro (2007–2010)
Umbro, known for classic football designs, supplied the West Ham kits during this period.
Macron (2010–2013)
Macron provided West Ham kits during the years of their promotion back to the Premier League under manager Sam Allardyce.
Adidas (2013–2015)
Adidas returned to West Ham for a brief period, producing kits that celebrated the club’s 2015 departure from Upton Park.
Umbro (2015–2026)
Umbro returned in 2015 and is the current kit supplier for West Ham, creating kits as the club moved into the London Stadium and establishing a long-term partnership. The firm will make its final West Ham kit next season until at least 2031-32.
New Balance (2026-2031)
Top US brand signs up to five-year deal for first time, starting from 2026-27.
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