Do Premier League Players Get a New Kit Every Game?

An authentic Classic Premier League shirt is a prized possession by any football fan across the globe. Which may lead you, like it did for me, to raise this question: Do Premier League Players Get a New Kit Every Game??

Well, I'll try to unravel some of the truth to this enigmatic question as we dive into the world of Premier League kit management.

Short Answer: No

Indeed. Contrary to popular belief among the supporters, Premier League players do not always receive a new shirt for every single football game. The reality is slightly more nuanced and depends on a few factors.

Factors Influencing Usage of Football Shirts in Premier League Football

• Home Games: Many players will have a couple of home shirts for the season.
• Away games: As the away and third kits are used far less, one hypothesis would suggest that they get recycled more than the home shirts.

2. Player Preferences

Some players are quite superstitious and, if the team is winning in a particular shirt, will choose to stay in that "lucky" shirt for as many matches as possible.

3. Sponsorship and Marketing Need

Some games, especially the high-ranking games or games that feature on TV, may require players to put on new football shirts in order to make sure that the logo designs for the sponsors come out fresh and clear.

4. Weather Extremes

Fresh shirts are allowed during instances of extremes in weather conditions. For example, if it is extremely hot summer or if it's raining, fresh shirts may be used.

The Shirt Rotation System

Most premier league clubs have a highly developed kit management system. Here is how it works in practice most of the time:

1. Multiples Sets: For each season, players generally receive multiple sets of football shirts.

2. Rotation: Sets usually rotate during the season, partly being washed and sent into circulation again.

3. Special Occasions: Sometimes, fresh jerseys are issued for important matches, for example, derbies or cup finals.

4. Customization: The name, number, and other appropriate patches of every player are inscribed on his football shirt prior to every game.

So what happens to used Premier League shirts?

1. You might ask what happens to those shirts after they have been worn. Here are some common destinations:

• Player Collections: Many players keep shirts from memorable matches.

• Swaps: The tradition of swapping shirts with opponents after a match is still alive and well.

• Charity Auctions: Clubs often donate match-worn shirts to charity auctions.

• Club Museums: Some historically important shirts might end up at the club's museum.

The Environmental Aspect

Of late, there has been an awakening of what the making of a football kit imparts to the environment. Some of the clubs are starting to take initiatives to be environmentally friendly:

• Recycled Materials: A good proportion of the newly released Premier League shirts is now made from recycled plastics.

• Reuse: Reusing jerseys if possible saves on waste.

• Eco-Friendly Disposal: Gradually, correct recycling of old or scrapped football shirts is being adhered to.

Fun Facts About Premier League Football Shirts

• A typical Premier League club may use more than 2,000 shirts in a season.

• Some players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, who do not mind changing jerseys at half-time – if it means wearing a fresh jersey in very hot conditions.

• The Premier League mandates that all football shirts must bear the official Premier League patches on the sleeves.

Bottom Line: Freshness vs. Practicality