Brighton Kit History
Brighton kit history begins in 1901 with a plain blue shirt, a few years before the blue and white stripes arrived. Further down, you'll find the kit makers and sponsors behind the Seagulls' best shirts. Use the home, away and special filters to find the era you love.
Makers and sponsors over time
- Bukta1971–1974
- Admiral1974–1975
- Umbro1975–1977
- Bukta1977–1980
- Adidas1980–1987
- Spall1987–1989
- Sports Express1989–1991
- Ribero1991–1994
- Admiral1994–1997
- Superleague1997–1999
- Erreà1999–2014
- Nike2014–today
- No sponsorUntil 1980
- British Caledonian1980–1983
- Phoenix Brewery1983–1986
- NOBO1986–1991
- TSB Bank1991–1993
- Sandtex1993–1998
- Donatello1998–1999
- Skint Records1999–2008
- IT First2008–2011
- BrightonandHoveJobs.com2011–2013
- American Express2013–today
The kit archive
Special
125th Anniversary
Modelled on the plain blue shirt from Albion's first season in 1901.
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Home
26/27 Home
Royal blue with thin white pinstripes, a nod to the 1983 FA Cup final shirt.
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Away
26/27 Away (White)
The home design turned around: white with thin blue pinstripes.
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Away
26/27 Away (Blue)
A blue away alternative to the striped home shirt.
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Shop Brighton concept kits made from durable, breathable fabric with prints that stay sharp wash after wash.
From Fisherman's Blue to Famous Stripes
Albion played their first season, 1901/02, in a plain blue shirt with white knickers. One elderly fan later remembered the shade as 'fisherman's blue'. This is a light blue-grey worn by local trawlermen. The club tried a royal blue shirt with a white lace-up in 1903/04, then switched to blue and white stripes for 1904/05. A badge didn't appear until 1948, when manager Don Welsh added one combining the arms of Brighton and Hove.
One kit fans still remember is the one from the 1983 FA Cup final, so much so that the club's 2026/27 Nike home and away shirts were inspired by it. Nike has made Albion's kits since 2014, with a deal now running to 2030, while American Express has sponsored the shirts since 2013. In September 2026, the team wore a copy of that first 1901 shirt to mark the club's 125th anniversary.
FAQs
Why do Brighton wear blue and white stripes?
The stripes date back to the 1904/05 season, when they replaced Albion's plain blue shirts. The club says nobody knows for certain why blue was picked in 1901.
What was Brighton's first kit?
In 1901/02, Albion wore a plain blue shirt with a matching collar, cuffs and buttoned front, paired with white knickers. There was no badge on it.
Who is Brighton's shirt sponsor?
American Express. The company has sponsored the men's, women's and disability teams' shirts since 2013, and it extended the partnership with a long-term deal in 2021.
Who makes Brighton's kits?
Nike. Albion have worn Nike kits since 2014, and in January 2025, the club extended the deal with Nike as its technical kit supplier until 2030.
Why were Brighton wearing a different home shirt?
For their 125th anniversary game against Arsenal in September 2026, Brighton wore a shirt modelled on the plain blue one from their very first season in 1901.
