La Liga surprises with the idea of retro-style match kits

La Liga's concept of clubs collectively using match kits designed in a retro style is gaining widespread attention in Spanish public opinion.

This month, La Liga announced the retro-style match day event. Seventeen retro-style kit designs have been revealed, while three clubs—Real Madrid, Rayo Vallecano, and Getafe—are not participating in this initiative.

The idea of using retro-style match kits

According to the newspaper AS, on the weekend of April 12th, all La Liga matches will take place in a retro style, from player and referee attire to the match ball and broadcast graphics, creating a unique global branding moment in football.

ESPN reports that these retro designs are strongly inspired by the styles and trends of match kits that have appeared in Spanish football over the years.

Jaime Blanco, director of La Liga's club office, stated: "When I first saw some of the kits, I thought: 'This is going to be explosive. They are fantastic.'" Blanco explained: "This initiative will take La Liga and the clubs into a different dimension. It allows us to connect with previous generations, young fans, and even audiences who might not watch football but love this fashion style."

Blanco compared this idea to the global popularity of NBA jerseys: "Many people wear NBA jerseys without ever watching a game. We want to tap into that same cultural space. This goes beyond pure sport, and we expect it to have a huge impact. Some of these kits will become iconic."

The initiative will occur during La Liga's round 31 and Spain's second division round 35. "This initiative is part of the broader campaign '42 Legacies, 42 Ways to Win,' highlighting how passion for a club is passed down, inherited, and transformed over time. Through this themed match day, La Liga reaffirms its commitment to preserving club identity while continuing to build experiences that honor the past without forgetting the future," La Liga's official website stated.

A key moment of the campaign took place on March 19th, when clubs unveiled retro kits at Madrid Fashion Week under the slogan: "The collection that never goes out of style."

La Liga clubs will benefit from this idea

The event lasted about 90 minutes, featuring international models, club legends, ambassadors, and influencers showcasing classic kits on the runway. Each club contributed ideas to create a special event celebrating the rich heritage of Spanish football.

The retro kits will also be sold, with each club ordering an average of 1,500–2,000 kits. Approximately 70,000–80,000 kits are expected to be released, projected to generate $6.5–7.5 million in revenue for the clubs. However, producing these kits was not simple. La Liga had to coordinate 13 different manufacturers, as many clubs have changed kit suppliers over the past 20–30 years.

Barcelona used last season's kit design for its retro version but received mixed reviews. ESPN wrote: "It seems Barcelona submitted their design last-minute, with a rather bland version being last season's home kit. They won a domestic treble with it, but it hardly qualifies as 'retro.' Still, it's a better effort than other La Liga clubs like Getafe, Rayo Vallecano, and rival Real Madrid, who will not launch any classic kits for this special match round."

Meanwhile, ESPN commented on Atletico Madrid's retro kit: "Atletico turned back to 2022 to revive their third kit commemorating the club's 120th anniversary, featuring the original blue and white colors. The iconic split design was used again, and former Rojiblancos midfielder Mario Suárez proudly served as the runway model."

Real Sociedad's retro kit was praised by ESPN: "A superb design from Real Sociedad, as they decided to recreate the attire worn in the final seasons at the historic Atotxa stadium, the club's spiritual home for nearly 80 years. The polo collar detail, elastic trims, and sleeve patterns truly capture the essence of the 1991–1993 period."