Why have Barcelona still been playing in last season's kits this term?

"Two games into the 2025-26 campaign, and with three new kits already launched, but champions Barcelona are yet to play in any of them in LaLiga. Hansi Flick's side have had to dust off last season's lime-green third kit in their opening fixtures, wins at Mallorca and Levante, because none of their fresh outfits passed the league's kit selector tool. Barça's Blaugrana (blue and garnet) home shirt was deemed too close to Mallorca's signature red and black, and is a direct match with Levante's colours."

"However, it's the away kit, a gold jersey in collaboration with the late Kobe Bryant's Mamba brand, which has unexpectedly caused problems, with the black shorts so far also proving to be a clash with Mallorca's and Levante's dark shorts. All teams have to upload their kit selection for their upcoming games via an application called LaLiga Kit Selector. The picks must then be approved by the league, with the home team taking precedent."

"Barça's gold shirt should have been fine in their opening two matches, but the tool also takes into consideration the colours of the shorts and the socks. The idea is to facilitate sufficient visual contrast for referees, players, broadcasters and supporters. Their new third kit, which is orange, was also deemed to collide with Mallorca and Levante's home shirts, forcing Barça to wind back the clock and bring back out one of last season's uniforms."

Two games into the 2025-26 season Barcelona have not been able to wear any of their three newly launched kits in LaLiga because the league's kit selector flagged colour clashes. Hansi Flick's team wore last season's lime-green third kit for wins at Mallorca and Levante. The Blaugrana home shirt was judged too similar to Mallorca's red and black and a direct match with Levante. The gold away jersey, produced with Kobe Bryant's Mamba brand, conflicted due to black shorts matching opponents' dark shorts. LaLiga requires upload of shirt, shorts and socks via the LaLiga Kit Selector, which approves selections and gives precedence to the home team to ensure sufficient visual contrast for referees, players, broadcasters and supporters.

Read at ESPN.com