Why the new Nike Football third kits are worth celebrating

Nike Football is introducing its Third Club Kit Collection, Together We Rise, in honour of the ascendency of women in the sport. The all-gender collection reflects how women and girls have redefined the parameters of the sport.

For the past few years, female footballers have been fuelling major changes in the sport in both visibility and power. The Nike film "What the Football" covers some of that journey by following 11 iconic footballers and Nike athletes.

No matter how you like to celebrate women in football, don't miss these two major reasons Nike Football's new third club kits are worth cheering about.

To harness the spirit and unique qualities of each football club, Nike designers worked in close partnership with each club, creating apparel that celebrates distinctive aspects of what the clubs are all about. Here's a look:

• Chelsea F.C. (England) has a tartan pattern that takes inspiration from the Kings Road punk scene while acknowledging the city's deep history—a nod to the women's game rising from grassroots to greatness.

• Liverpool F.C. (England) fuses iconic club colours with a loud pattern that pays homage to the city's fearless artists, particularly the female punk musicians who pioneered a new sound.

• Tottenham Hotspur F.C. (England) is inspired by the seven trees planted on Tottenham High Road, commemorating the women who planted them, and features a lush green pattern with a rebellious DIY aesthetic.

• Atlético Madrid (Spain) celebrates the artists and athletes of the Spanish capital, while bringing together bold colours and vibrant patterns that disrupt tradition.

• Inter Milan (Italy) plays tribute to the city's trendsetters, particularly the artists and designers who defied the northern Italy establishment and showed fearless style.

• Club América (Mexico) features graphic elements that showcase female Aztec warriors, powerful jaguars, joyous hummingbirds, bright sunflowers, butterflies that symbolise rebirth and agave plants representing passion and transformation.

• Corinthians (Brazil) offers bold black and white vertical stripes that represent the notable efforts of the club's fanbase in fighting racism; inside the shirt, the words "Tamo Junto e Misturado" are printed in black and white, meaning "We are together and mixed".

• Pumas (Mexico) celebrates the jacaranda tree, which is abundant throughout Mexico City, including on the university grounds: home to the Pumas Club and the first university in Mexico to admit women.
  

One unifying design element across all clubs is a vertical, double Swoosh opposite the club crest, as a nod to the acceleration of the women's game.

In addition to the competition kits, the Nike Football third kits feature a variety of performance and lifestyle apparel to recognise all aspects of athletes' journeys, from training to travel. Whether taking a well-deserved rest day, lounging on the plane or bus while travelling to their next game, running drills in training or sprinting for a goal in an arena full of fans, athletes need to feel comfortable and supported.

They require gear that provides reinforcement, mobility and breathability. Every piece of apparel ticks those boxes. Want to look and feel like a team player, even if you're watching from the sofa at home? Gear up: the collection was released to selected retail locations in August 2024 and is now available globally at Nike.com.