Chelsea Kit History
Chelsea kit history starts in 1905 with a pale Eton blue shirt, which gave way to royal blue a couple of seasons later. Below are the kit makers and sponsors behind the club's standout shirts. Use the home, away, third and retro filters to find your favourite era.
Makers and sponsors over time
- Umbro1975–1981
- Le Coq Sportif1981–1986
- Chelsea Collection1986–1987
- Umbro1987–2006
- Adidas2006–2017
- Nike2017–today
- No sponsorUntil 1983
- Gulf Air & short deals1983–1987
- Commodore1987–1994
- Coors1994–1997
- Autoglass1997–2001
- Emirates2001–2005
- Samsung2005–2015
- Yokohama Tyres2015–2020
- Three2020–2023
- Short-term deals2023–2026
- Circle (USDC)2026–today
The kit archive
Home
1995/97 Home
Umbro's mid-90s home shirt from the run that ended with the 1997 FA Cup.
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Away
1995/97 Away
An Umbro away design from the Gullit years at Stamford Bridge.
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Away
2003/04 Away
A white away shirt with a two-tone blue stripe down the centre.
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Home
2011/12 Home
The home shirt from the season Chelsea won their first Champions League.
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Home
26/27 Home
Royal blue with gold trim, the shade the club has worn since 1907/08.
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Third
26/27 Third (Red Stripes)
Red stripes that nod to the club's long history of red change kits.
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Third
26/27 Third (Thin Stripes)
A white base with blue and thin red stripes for fans who want something different.
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Shop retro designs and Chelsea concept kits made from durable, breathable fabric with prints that stay sharp wash after wash.
From Eton Blue to Royal Blue
Chelsea's first shirts in 1905 were Eton blue. The shade came from the racing silks of Lord Cadogan, a local landowner and the club's first president. By 1907/08, the team had moved to royal blue, and they've stuck with it ever since. Red goes back a long way too. Chelsea's first red away kit appeared in 1911, and the team played Dynamo Moscow in red in 1945.
Tommy Docherty, who managed the side in the 1960s, introduced the blue shirts, blue shorts and white socks that most fans still picture as the classic Chelsea kit. The mid-1990s gave fans the graphite and tangerine away kit linked with Ruud Gullit. This was then followed by a yellow and blue strip worn in big semi-final wins.
Nike took over as kit supplier in May 2017, Three's logo arrived in 2020/21, and Circle's USDC branding joined from 2026/27.
FAQs
Why do Chelsea wear blue?
The club's first shirts in 1905 were Eton blue, taken from Lord Cadogan's racing silks. Chelsea then moved to the royal blue fans know today in 1907/08.
Has Chelsea ever had a red kit?
Yes. Chelsea first wore a red away kit in 1911 and played in red at least once every decade until 2000. The last mainly red away kit came in 1992-94.
Why does Chelsea have a 3 on their kit?
The 3 is the logo of mobile network Three, which became Chelsea's official shirt partner from the 2020/21 season on an initial three-year deal.
Why did Chelsea not have a sponsor on their shirt?
Since Three's deal ended in 2022/23, Chelsea have started each season without one, reportedly because offers didn't match the club's valuation. Circle signed in August 2026.
Who makes Chelsea's kits?
Nike. It became Chelsea's official kit supplier in May 2017 and makes kits for the men's, women's and academy teams, plus the club's lifestyle clothing range.
