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Sunderland AFC have unveiled their new 2026-27 Hummel third kit, with the striking dark blue shirt celebrating the city of Sunderland and its historic connection with glassmaking. Hummel have once again looked beyond the football pitch for inspiration, producing a shirt that combines local heritage with a distinctive modern design. Sunderland 2026-27 Third Shirt The new Sunderland 2026-27 third shirt moves away from the Black Cats’ famous red and white colours in favour of a rich dark blue base. Across the shirt is an intricate tonal graphic featuring repeating circular and geometric shapes. Worked into different shades of blue, the pattern is relatively subtle from a distance but becomes much more prominent when viewed up close. Gold detailing provides the contrast, with the Hummel logo appearing on the right side of the chest and a specially coloured Sunderland AFC crest positioned opposite. The combination of deep blue and gold gives the third shirt a smart, almost premium appearance. Inspired by Sunderland’s Glassmaking Heritage Perhaps the most interesting feature of the Sunderland AFC 2026-27 third kit is the story behind its design. The tonal pattern takes inspiration from Sunderland’s long association with glassmaking, incorporating shapes and details that give the shirt an appearance reminiscent of decorative glass. Hummel have taken the theme a step further with a small inscription underneath the back collar reading: “glass making since the 7th century” It’s a particularly nice touch and gives the shirt a genuine connection to Sunderland rather than simply relying on an abstract graphic. Local influences have become increasingly important in modern football shirt design, and this is a good example of how a club’s history can be incorporated into a contemporary kit. Blue and Gold Sunderland Third Kit The gold details are arguably what make this shirt stand out. Both the Hummel branding and Sunderland crest have been adapted to complement the blue colour palette, avoiding the introduction of unnecessary additional colours. The result is a very cohesive design. A simple blue crew-neck collar keeps the focus on the patterned body of the shirt, while the long sleeves continue the glass-inspired graphic. It’s also a design that should look considerably different depending on the lighting, with the tonal pattern appearing much stronger in brighter conditions. Another Strong Sunderland Shirt from Hummel Since returning to Sunderland, Hummel have regularly drawn upon the club and city’s identity when creating new kits. The 2026-27 Sunderland third kit continues that approach. Rather than producing another retro remake, Hummel have used Sunderland’s heritage as the starting point for an entirely new shirt. That helps give the kit its own identity while still maintaining a connection with the city and its supporters. For football shirt collectors, that storytelling could also make this an interesting Sunderland shirt to look back on in years to come. Buy a retro Sunderland shirt from The Kitman: