The German Karneval time arrives in November every year, bringing with it multiple interesting special kit designs. Karneval, or Fastnacht as it is known in some regions, is especially popular in the areas near the Rhein river, with the masses going out and dressing up in costumes. So it comes as no surprise that football teams from this region like to celebrate the occasion with special outfits of their own.
We wanted to take a look at the history of Karneval-themed kits, since they have not been around for very long.
1. FC Köln
FC Köln first released a Karneval shirt for their 2013-14 2. Bundesliga campaign. Kit supplier Erima went above and beyond, setting a high bar for jerseys to come. Current kit manufacturer Uhlsport have since taken over the tradition of a Karneval shirt, 2017-18 (still Erima) being the only season in recent years without one.
2013-14
2014-15
2015-16
2016-17
2018-19
2019-20
2020-21
2021-22
1. FSV Mainz 05
Mainz 05 were lucky to have switched from Nike to Lotto back in 2015. They were instantly rewarded with their first ever Fastnacht shirt for the 2015-16 season, which was re-used for the next year as well. Lotto and current kit supplier Kappa have since always released an annual Fastnacht jersey.
It is quite clear that Lotto took very timid steps at first, only adding colors to a red base, but after several years they went all in with the crazy Fastnacht designs.
2015-17
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20
2020-21
2021-22
Fortuna Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf released their first and only "Narrentrikot" (Jester-jersey) for the 2017-18 2. Bundesliga season. Made by Uhlsport, it features a half white, half red design inspired by Hoppeditz, a fictional jester from Düsseldorf's Karneval. The city crest is placed in the middle of the chest and there are five symbols specific to Düsseldorf's Karneval at the bottom of the shirt.
2017-18
KFC Uerdingen
KFC Uerdingen, based in the city of Krefeld, also released their only ever Karneval shirt in 2017. It is mainly blue and features lots of small, lighter blue jester's caps all over the front. There is also a yellow and black jester's cap placed above the club logo.
2017-18
Alemmania Aachen
Aachen released their first ever Karneval jersey earlier this week. Made by Capelli, it combines the club's colors black and yellow, rather than going for a brighter, more confetti-like look.
The base of the jersey is black with 11 diagonal yellow stripes on the front as a reference to November 11th, which marks the start of Karneval. The sleeves feature a very different design; they are covered in a black and yellow diamond pattern to look more like something from Karneval.
2021-22
Images via alemannia-shop.de
First Ever - Alemmania Aachen 21-22 Karneval Kit Released Nov 30, 2021Fortuna Köln
Fortuna Köln also released their first ever Karneval shirt earlier this week.
It is based on the Capelli Caracara teamwear template. It features red and white vertical stripes on the front. The sleeves, back and the top of the front section all come in solid red. The four white squares, Capelli's trademark appearance, run down below the round, white collar.
To add to the Karneval look, little confetti pieces are printed all over the front in blue, yellow, green and red. This makes for a similar aesthetic to the FC Köln Karneval jersey, released several weeks ago.
2021-22
Bonner SC
Bonn has released two Karneval shirts already. Lotto made one that was used for 2019-20 as well as 2020-21, with new kit manufacturer Uhlsport taking the design to another level this season.
2019-21
2021-22
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