Sunderland AFC is bringing a piece of the city's history onto the pitch.
The club has unveiled its 2026-27 third kit, a striking design inspired by Sunderland's centuries-old glassmaking tradition and the city's deep connection to the craft.
The new shirt combines a stained-glass-inspired graphic with shades of blue and copper detailing, creating a look that connects Sunderland's past with its return to the European stage.
Glassmaking has been part of Sunderland's history for centuries, with the earliest known example of stained glass in the city dating back to the seventh century. That history became the foundation for the third kit's design.
The jersey features a repeating stained-glass pattern, with each panel depicting the football from inside Sunderland's iconic ship crest.
The various shades of blue throughout the design are intended to capture the effect of sunlight passing through stained glass, creating a visual representation of Sunderland's journey from darkness into the light.
It's a unique approach to a third kit, using a piece of the city's industrial and cultural history as the centerpiece rather than simply creating another alternate colorway.
The stained-glass graphic isn't the only historical reference.
Sunderland's iconic SAFC ship crest appears in copper on the chest, while matching copper Hummel chevrons run across the shoulders. The back of the neck features another nod to Sunderland's glassmaking heritage, with the words: "Glass Making Since The 7th Century"
The copper treatment gives the shirt a premium finish while tying the various elements of the design together.
The new third kit arrives at a particularly significant moment for Sunderland. The 2026-27 season marks the club's return to European football for the first time in 53 years, adding another layer of significance to the new design.
From Sunderland's glassmaking heritage to its return to European football, the new third kit brings together two important chapters of the club and city's history.
SHOP Soccer GEAR HERE
See What Else Is New
Featured
Jaguars Unveil “Bold City” Rivalries Uniform