Many sports teams have a tradition of changing color schemes every once in a while. Sometimes, we could notice that they were wearing a very different color that was not similar to their first or second jerseys.

We can see the implementation in many football teams, such as in Manchester City. Although they usually wear light blue strip jerseys, they use orange and purple jerseys on different occasions.

This is what we call the third or alternative jersey. Although they are rarely used, they could be useful in several different scenarios. In this article, we cover the third jersey and the best way to design it.

What Is Third Jersey (Alternative Jersey)

Let us now discuss the third kit or alternative jersey. This type of sports uniform is worn by the team as an alternative to their home and away jerseys. While it serves none other than being a third option for clothing, it is mostly useful for sports organizations.

According to statistics, the sports sponsorship market generated more than 100 billion USD in revenue in 2023. This amount is predicted to double by 2030.

Another example of how third jersey production is a lucrative business is the North American Sports League. This sports organization generates more than $1 billion annually from selling jerseys.

The National Basketball Association ranks second with $900 million annual jersey revenue.

Aside from supporting the industry, third jerseys can be useful for teams competing in special events or occasions. For example, Central Coast Mariners wore their alternative pink jersey during the Pink Ribbon day.

As an alternative, there are fourth and fifth jerseys, although they are less common to wear. However, their functionality is still the same, which differentiates them from other teams.

The third jerseys are now commonly worn in four major sports in Canada and the USA. They are even more common in European sports, particularly rugby and football.

When to Wear Third Jerseys

Before we learn how to design third jerseys, it is best to know when it is the best time to wear them. Some teams wore their third set on several occasions. They could wear it if their color was similar to that of their competing teams. Additionally, they can also use third jerseys to commemorate special events such as the Pink Ribbon day.

Another thing worth noting about the third jersey is the rule. You might start noticing some teams wearing their alternative kit, although their first and second jerseys are not very similar to the opposing teams.

Now, there is a little thing you should notice here. Although the shirt color is different, a team could wear their third jersey if the colors of the shorts or socks are similar. It does not matter whether they are playing as a home or away team. As long as there is a similarity in color in shirts, shorts, or socks, they could always opt for third jerseys.

Why are the colors of socks and shorts important in sports games?

This is because referees and linesmen use these colors to access the gameplay. The similarity in color makes this very difficult for them. Therefore, third jerseys are used to eliminate these issues.

Additionally, some teams also use their alternative jerseys when they compete against particular teams in each sports year. It is common in sports for teams to have great rivalries, for example, Chicago Bears VS Green Bay Packers or Boston Celtics VS Los Angeles Lakers.

In football, we can see an example of a match between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Oakland Raiders. At home, the Los Angeles Chargers would wear their powder blue jerseys, which were first introduced in 2007.

Another example is the Houston Taxes, who would wear their iconic Battle Read alternative uniforms in a home match versus the Jacksonville Jaguars.

This habit of wearing third jerseys at home when there is a match against a particular opposing team creates a unique atmosphere in which fans are crazy.

Is Third Jersey Truly Necessary?

While it is clear that there are first and second outfit choices, is the third jersey truly important? This depends on the team.

With the goal of increasing sales revenue, any large team would gladly make their third uniform for fans to buy. More options mean more money. On the other hand, fans would have more uniforms to collect.

However, generating a new jersey can be expensive. While developing the ideas may take a lot of time and money, the next objective the team has to do is to produce a large number of fans.

Although selling jerseys or other team merchandise might seem to be a lucrative business, it is certainly not for every team because it can be very costly.

Additionally, jersey clashes are very rare in smaller teams, so producing third jerseys is not necessary. However, they can still produce it if they want to use it in certain celebrations or events.

Designing The Third Jerseys

Now, although having the third jersey may sound fun for some teams, the budget has always been the main concern. But don’t worry. If you do not want to obtain the third uniform, the older jersey can always be used from the previous seasons. Just make sure the colors will not clash with the opposing teams and differ from your home and away jerseys.

Designing the third jersey is basically the same as that of the first and second jerseys. You would still have to pick different color schemes and ensure that the design fits your team.

How to Design Third Jerseys

When it comes to designing a jersey, things may get out of hand fairly quickly. With many ideas to think about, choosing one option from many options would be difficult. That is why you will have to consider a few things to create a distinguishable third jersey design that looks nice and fitting.

Know Your Team’s Identity

The first and most important aspect is displaying a team’s identity. Jersey is the front face of the team’s identity. It displays the team’s personal core and values through a simple working design.

You did not see only a blank color in the jersey. There are other spectrums, such as logos and mascots, that make the jersey feel more personal. These should highlight your team’s selling points to make it different from others.

Thus, before discussing jersey production and potential revenue, you should first consider your team’s goals, values, and identity. Knowing these aspects will make it easier for later stages in designing the jersey.

Select the Appropriate Colors

The jersey colors show what kind of impression you want to show to fans and the public. Some teams would like to use more intimidating colors, such as black and red, to make them look stronger and fierce. We can see many examples of teams that use red as their main color.

However, some teams also considered more relaxing colors, such as blue or green, for their third jerseys. Regardless of the color, it does not clash with the first and second jerseys.

The team may also select a color scheme that is completely different from the spectrum, such as orange, purple, or gray. As long as the color fits the team’s identity or the event they want to celebrate, it is fine.

Adding The Name and Logo

Of course, similar to regular jerseys, the alternative ones also use the team’s logo and the player’s name on the back. Although the color is very different, it is clear that both the logo and name are still visible and precise.

Doing so is not only useful for referees, but also for fans who would want to know where their favorite players are in the field. The placement of the name and logo should be consistent with the first and second jerseys.

Ensure The Jerseys Are Durable and Comfortable

Although the team would rarely use it, this does not mean that the materials for the third jersey should be of lower quality. In fact, the materials should be the same for all jerseys to ensure that the players can wear them comfortably on different occasions.

Get The Best Services from Professionals

While the article makes it like the whole thing is easy to do, it is not in reality. If you feel unsure about designing your team’s jersey yourself, get help from a professional sports apparel company.

Another promising alternative is to obtain custom sports jerseys for all needs. By purchasing custom jerseys, you can customize them all the way you like, including by adding special logos, names, and numbers.

What’s interesting is that the process is so easy; anyone could easily make their custom jersey without the need of having advance design skills. With them around, creating jerseys for the team won’t be such a difficult task anymore.

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