Leeds United will join Manchester United and Real Madrid in a significant category as Adidas looks to bolster its relationship with the Whites.
In 2020, Adidas signed a five-year deal to become the club’s kit supplier, reportedly worth £10 million per season (around $12.7 million), making it a record-breaking agreement for Leeds. The two parties struck the deal after the club was heading to the Premier League following its promotion.
However, the deal expires next year and discussions with suppliers for the following seasons are being explored, so the Yorkshire side appear to be keeping their options open. Nonetheless, Adidas is making an effort to ensure that Leeds know that they’re an important club in their football file.
Is Adidas keen on keeping its partnership with Leeds?
Adidas plans to expand their ‘Elite Team’ category by adding more clubs, meaning these teams will have authentic kits featuring the Trefoil logo on their third jerseys starting in the 2025-26 season.
The sportswear company is considering upgrading several A, B+, and B-tier clubs to “Premium Club” status, granting them authentic kits and additional perks.
Next season, the company will feature six elite clubs, including Real Madrid, Manchester United, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and newcomers Liverpool, whose kit deal begins in the 2025-26 season.
According to Footy Headlines, Newcastle United and AS Roma are the front-runners to become Adidas elite teams, though other clubs could still be in the mix, albeit with slimmer odds.
Here’s the Adidas tier system as Leeds find themselves in the B Premium category:
- A+ Elite – Real Madrid & Manchester United (only teams who sell long-sleeve authentic away kits) + Arsenal & Bayern München (special Kits for Women teams)
- A Elite – Juventus: authentic kits available, but no long-sleeve authentic jerseys and no bespoke Women’s kits
- A- Elite – Flamengo: authentic kits available, but no lifestyler third kits, and not marketed internationally
- B Premium – Many Teams: Bespoke kits, but no authentic kits (e.g. Benfica, AS Roma, Leeds United)
- B – Even More Teams: bespoke kits, but almost no other bespoke gear (e.g. Union Berlin, Nottingham, Fulham)
- C – Direct contract with Adidas, customized Adidas “Locker Room” kits (previously miTeam), no bespoke designs
- D – No direct affiliation with Adidas, standard team wear kits (most smaller teams, e.g. Saarbrücken, Hapoel Tel Aviv, FC Košice, Xerez)
