In 2024, the German Football Association (DFB) shocked the world, announcing it would end its 70-plus year partnership with Adidas at the end of 2026. Two years later, the end of 2026 is upon us and Germany are just two months away from their final outing in a kit etched with a brand that has become synonymous with the national team. But why is the DFB walking away from such a historic partnership? You guessed it: money.
According to a report from Sport1, Nike will reportedly pay the DFB twice the amount
Adidas did annually.
After displacing Adidas as the DFB kit supplier, Nike will also replace Marc O’Polo as the official clothing partner for the national team from next year
Nike is set to pay more than €100 million per year – roughly twice as much as Adidas paid previously. The contract runs from January 1, 2027, until the end of 2034
The partnership with Nike has been met with widespread criticism, particularly concerning national identity. But in the world of modern football, money talks — and Adidas simply weren’t as talkative as the American sports company.
You can catch Germany’s last two matches in an Adidas kit on the 13th and 16th of November when they close out their UEFA Nations League group stage fixtures against Serbia and the Netherlands. Die Mannschaft will don a special black and gold farewell kit to mark the occasion.
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