Best & Worst Premier League 2025/26 Third Kits
Kit release season is my favourite time of the year, especially the third kits — football’s fashion wildcard. Every season, Premier League clubs roll out their most experimental looks in the name of "modern design" or "bold new direction", and the 2025/26 season is no different.
Some shirts are absolute stunners, others... well, let’s just say they won’t be making it into the club museum any time soon.
From nostalgic nods to the '90s to kits that look like they were designed during a power cut, I’ve rounded up the best and worst third kits in the Premier League this season.
Expect a few gems, a few disasters, and plenty of opinions you may or may not agree with. Let’s get stuck in
Worst Third Kits
Manchester City
Image from Manchester City F.C.
Probably going to be a controversial one, but I just can’t get on board with Man City’s third kit this season.
On paper, the colour combo had serious potential — it should have been a banger. But the weird raindrop pattern absolutely kills it. Who signed off on that? It’s a classic case of a good idea, poorly executed.
I get what they were going for, but it just ends up looking messy. A rare miss from Puma, and a real shame considering how close it was to being something special.
Wolves
Image from Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolves have gone full wildcard with their third kit this season—and not in a good way. The moment I saw it, all I could think of was a swimming pool in one of those awful holiday adverts (cue Jess Glynne).
It’s meant to be a tribute to their Brazilian players, which is a nice touch in theory, but the design just doesn’t land.
Third kits are usually a bit out there, sure, but this one feels weird for the sake of being weird. A rogue choice that misses the mark.
Brentford
Image from Brenford F.C.
Brentford’s third kit this season is... a bit of a head-scratcher. At first glance, I thought I might be into it — but the more I looked, the more I just thought, nah.
The design concept itself isn’t terrible, but the colours don’t do it any favours, and the sponsor slapped on the front really doesn’t help.
To be fair, their third kits over the past decade haven’t exactly been classics, so maybe this is just on-brand. Still, it’s a pretty random effort overall.
Crystal Palace
Image from Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace’s third kit feels like it’s having a bit of an identity crisis. Third kits are meant to be a chance to do something different — but this one looks like it could easily be a home kit.
The nod to the '70s with the vertical stripes is a nice idea, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark. A sash-style design might’ve worked better, or at least a tweak to the sleeve colours to break things up.
It just feels like a missed opportunity to mix things up a bit more.
Leeds
Image from Leeds United F.C.
Leeds' third kit is another one where I can see the vision, but I’m just not a fan. It’s meant to represent fans swinging scarves, which is a cool concept, but the end result is just a bit too loud for my liking.
I do appreciate the inclusion of the home colours (in a... let’s say unique way), but the blur of colours ends up feeling more chaotic than clever.
Maybe it would've worked better as stripes or something with a bit more structure. Bit more confusing than creative.
Best Third Kits
Arsenal
Image from Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal’s third kit has had some mixed reviews, with a few calling it boring — but for me, it’s a prime example of less is more.
It’s a clean, modern remake of their classic 07-09 Nike kit, and that polo collar adds the perfect touch of retro flair.
There’s something really satisfying about seeing a brand take inspiration from another era — and even another manufacturer — and still make it feel fresh and authentic. Adidas have nailed that balance here, and it’s easily one of the standout third kits of the season.
Chelsea
Image from Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea’s third kit is a vintage-inspired gem, at first look, the badge instantly gives it that old-school charm.
The T90-era influence is used brilliantly, with the central badge placement and clean blue piping tying it all together nicely.
It’s a great mix of nostalgia and sharp design — easily one of the best throwback looks I’ve seen this season.
Tottenham Hotspur
Image from Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Spurs’ third kit might not be getting much hype, but I’m fully on board with it.
It’s another great use of the classic T90 template, and the return of the old crest gives it a proper retro feel — and if you couldn’t tell by now, I’m a sucker for a retro shirt.
The bold yellow might not be for everyone, but Spurs have dabbled with this colour a few times over the years, and I’d go as far as to say this is their best take yet. Underrated gem, this one.
Newcastle
Newcastle’s 3rd kit is another cracking nod to the '90s, taking inspo from their 1997 away shirt.
While it’s not a carbon copy of the original, the colours are spot on, with the navy and orange combo looking sharp rather than chaotic (a fine line, but they’ve nailed it). The light blue details might have looked even better in green to match the OG, but they still tie in nicely with the badge.
Bonus points for matching the sponsor logo to the kit colours too—a small detail that can often take kits from a 10 to a 2.
West Ham
West Ham have seriously redeemed themselves with this third kit. If you’ve read my other reviews, you’ll know I wasn’t exactly raving about their home and away efforts—but this one brings them back into my good books.
The gold and deep navy-black combo gives the shirt a proper premium feel, and the stripped-back Hammers logo looks absolutely spot on for a third kit.
It’s clean, classy, and everything their other kits this season should have been.
And there we have it—the wild world of Premier League third kits for 2025/26, from retro throwbacks to full-on flops. Whether your club smashed it or ended up on the “what were they thinking?” list, there’s no denying this season delivered some serious talking points.
Want to see what I thought of your team’s other kits? Check out my Premier League home and away kit rankings for the full season wardrobe verdict — and don’t miss the Champions League kit breakdown, where the designs are just as bold, but with even more drama. Go on, treat yourself to a scroll...
