Sunderland’s 2025 third kit, known as the “Black Cats” shirt, is more than a change of colors. Hummel cloaks the jersey in black; a mandala of 11 cats woven into the fabric represents every player, while gunmetal chevrons and a monochrome cat badge replace the usual crest.
Two glowing eyes peer out from the rear collar, and the inside collar features printed text recounting the 1805 legend of a wailing cat near the Roker battery.
Some supporters joke that this is “the blackest kit yet,” sharing memes of panthers in stealth mode and captions like “when you’re the Black Cat in real life.” The detail getting the most praise is the blacked-out sponsor logo, which many say makes the shirt look sharper. As one fan put it, “The blacked out sponsor has won me over. You’ll be getting my money again.” Others admit they’ll be buying the full Black Cats range, from anthem jackets to hoodies, even if it’s “another expensive day.”
Not all feedback is glowing. A few fans note that blackout kits are hardly new, with comments like “teams have been doing blackout kits for years now.” Some are uneasy about swapping the traditional crest for a silhouette, though others see it as a bold statement of identity. Still, the prevailing mood is pride. Many call it the club’s best kit in years, one that finally wears Sunderland’s lore on its chest.
How it stacks up with other kits
Sunderland’s approach fits into a wider 2025 trend of story-driven third kits. Arsenal’s third shirt nods to Highbury’s art deco East Stand, Leeds United’s features swirling scarf patterns evoking Elland Road’s atmosphere, and Manchester United’s reimagines a 1990s classic with retro colors. Blackout palettes are especially popular, with Burnley and Fulham opting for dark bases and gold accents. Sunderland’s stands out because it’s tied directly to club folklore, right down to the printed text inside the collar.
Hummel’s design direction with Sunderland has leaned into identity marketing. Past kits have referenced local landmarks, and the Black Cats kit continues the theme by celebrating the nickname in every detail. The club paired the launch with a full merchandise range, turning the kit into part of a lifestyle collection. By telling a story fans can wear, Sunderland has strengthened its brand while creating a product with instant emotional pull.
For fans, the $82 shirt isn’t just another piece of merchandise. It’s a sleek black canvas carrying two centuries of local legend, a crest that dares to be different, and a marketing message that says Sunderland knows exactly who it is.
