1. FC Köln will debut a special wine-red kit dedicated to Cologne musical legend Willi Ostermann during their home fixture against FC Schalke 04 on Saturday, October 24, 2026, kicking off at 15.30 CET. The fixture marks a shift in the club’s traditional kit rollout schedule, replacing the customary carnival jersey with a design coordinated with the Willi-Ostermann-Gesellschaft.
Willi Ostermann Tribute Replaces Traditional Carnival Kit
The upcoming match at the RheinEnergieStadion features a distinct color scheme of wine-red against Schalke’s royal blue. The kit honors composer, lyricist, and singer Willi Ostermann, known for regional anthems such as “Einmal am Rhein” and “Och wat wor dat fröher schön doch en Colonia.” The design mirrors the dark red uniforms worn by the Willi-Ostermann-Gesellschaft.
The timing aligns with two historical milestones for the artist: August 6 marked 90 years since his death, while October 1 falls on what would have been his 150th birthday. By introducing the wine-red Ostermann edition, the club bypassed its traditional carnival kit for the 2026-27 campaign. It serves as the fourth distinct outfit of the season, following the white home strip, the red away kit, and the blue third alternative.
Apparel Transition and Commercial Targets
The kit launch follows a significant shift in the club’s commercial operations. On July 1, 2026, Adidas took over as official outfitter for all club teams—from youth squads and women’s teams to the professional men’s side—replacing Danish brand Hummel after an early termination of that agreement, which originally ran until 2027. The partnership with the Herzogenaurach-based sportswear manufacturer has already yielded strong commercial returns.
Marketing and sales figures released by club executives indicate strong demand across the current retail catalog. Philipp Liesenfeld noted that sales for the home and away jerseys have surpassed the record-breaking figures of the previous year, though exact sales totals for the ongoing campaign have not been published. Last season, the club sold a combined total of more than 100,000 shirts.
Future Retro Releases Planned Under Adidas Partnership
The collaboration between the club and its new outfitter extends beyond the current season’s lineup. Club officials have confirmed that further legacy designs are already in development. Following the Ostermann edition and the standard season-opening shirts, planning is underway to reissue the legendary white shirt featuring red pinstripes from the club’s 1983 DFB-Pokal victory during the 2027 calendar year.
Throughout its history, the club has partnered with numerous manufacturers, including Hummel, Le Coq Sportif, Erima, Puma, Saller, Reebok, and Uhlsport, before entering the current agreement with Adidas ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Worth a look
