German Football and the Shift from Adidas to Nike

The marriage between Adidas and German Football has come to a surprising end after over 70 years.

Engaged.Social
5 min readApr 12, 2024
After over 70 years, German Football will end its relationship with Adidas and begin a new partnership with Nike, as pictured.
Image c/o World Soccer Talk

The famous orange of the Netherlands. Argentina’s sky blue. The yellow and blue of Brazil. Adidas and Germany.

These associations are among the strongest in the history of the world’s game. Like the colors representing the flags of other national teams, Adidas has been part of the fabric of German football culture since the early years following World War II.

In fact, the German men’s national football team and Adidas have been synonymous with each other for over six decades. Since 1954, the iconic three stripes have emblazoned the jerseys of Die Mannschaft, creating a powerful and instantly recognizable brand association.

However, the recent announcement of Germany’s decision to switch to Nike as their kit sponsor starting in 2027 has sent shockwaves through the world of football marketing and branding.

A Partnership Born in Success

Adidas and the German national team have enjoyed a long and successful partnership, with the sportswear giant playing a crucial role in the team’s success both on and off the pitch.

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