Chinese Super League clubs get bespoke Nike kits for 2020 season
- US sportswear giant celebrates fan culture with kit launch for Guangzhou Evergrande, Beijing Guoan and Shanghai sides
- Move away from templates has been well received by supporters after anger in recent seasons
However, preparations have stepped up in anticipation of the big kick-off, including the release of the updated kits for the new campaign.
This season’s designs mark a departure for many clubs, with bespoke jerseys replacing the Nike templates used in recent years.
While not all fans are on board with the new bespoke looks, they have proved a talking point on Chinese social media.
They have also made a splash overseas in the absence of the awaited kit launches for Euro 2020, with the tournament delayed until 2021.
Design elements include Guangzhou Evergrande’s tiger-print pattern, a riff on the club’s Canton tiger emblem, and Shanghai SIPG’s “steel texture” pattern.
Both Beijing Guoan and Jiangsu Suning have been praised for multicolour fade designs on their home shirts.
The move away from templates has seen Shanghai Shenhua introduce a fold-down collar on their home shirt, as have Beijing Guoan and Guangzhou Evergrande on their away shirts.
Home and away kits for the “Big Four” Chinese teams – champions Guangzhou Evergrande, Beijing Guoan and both Shanghai sides – have been released alongside launch photos championing fan culture.
These shirts are now being sold on Nike’s official China store, but none of the other 12 CSL teams are available. Retailers worldwide have those four, plus the new Jiangsu Suning home shirt.
Fans will be wondering when they might see the new kits in action as there is no confirmed start date for the Chinese season.
Beijing Guoan and Shanghai SIPG have both worn their new home kits this season in their AFC Champions League games. The Shanghai side won a play-off behind closed doors at home to Thai side Sukhothai in early February.
Beijing Guoan then travelled to Thailand to play Chiangrai United in the opening group stage game before the tournament was postponed.
They wore a special edition of the new shirt bearing the message “Jiayou Wuhan” (literally “Add oil, Wuhan” or “Come on, Wuhan”) for the city that was on lockdown after being first affected by the coronavirus.
Chinese websites, including well-known kit blogger “Three Passes”, have reported that kits for 12 of the 16 teams have been confirmed ahead of the new season.
The Chinese football season was scheduled to start on February 22 and most teams have been training overseas.
However, foreign players have since returned to China and clubs are beginning to return to training, while the release of kits is another indication that football may return soon.
