Update: We have updated the list according to the latest developments and information we received. Adidas now has only 5 'A teams', while Puma has seven. Nike has 10 Elite teams in the 2020-2021 season. Check out also the pyramids of football kit sponsorships of Adidas, Nike and Puma.
The 2020-2021 season brought us a lot of kit supplier switches. With it, some of the biggest teams become new Elite Teams, in example Liverpool x Nike. We take a look at which teams are the brand's top clubs for the 2020-21 season.
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2020-2021 Premium Football Clubs of Adidas, Nike & Puma
There is not fixed Top Teams list of each brand that lasts forever. However, there are clear things that reveal which teams get the 'Premium Treatment' from the brands.
The stuff of the biggest clubs is available to buy globally in the brand's physical stores and also presented prominently in the stores and on social media. The 'Elite Clubs' get more bespoke stuff than other teams, including fourth kits (Nike) or EA Sports jerseys (Adidas).
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In the case of Adidas, all the brand's biggest teams receive streamlined stuff such as 'Anthem Jackets', 'Pre-Match Jerseys' and things like "Chinese New Year" collections. There are five / six teams that can be defined as Adidas top clubs, with Flamengo ranked just a bit below the Top 5 (no Chinese New Year collection). We define Adidas' top clubs by the standard.
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In the case of Nike, we define "Elite Clubs" with those teams that get streamlined third kits - in the 2020-21 season, 10 Nike teams will receive an Air Max-inspired third uniform.
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In the case of Puma, it is most difficult. All of the brand's important clubs get an extensive range of items. There are no specific products that define an Elite Team - Puma is the most flexible brand in terms of Elite Clubs.
However, a look on Puma's website reveals which are the biggest teams - in Europe, it are "Man City, Dortmund, Milan, Marseille, Valencia". In the US, it are "Man City, Dortmund, Milan, Chivas and Palmeiras". Italy is the brand's Elite national team.
Adidas Top Clubs:
- We define six clubs as Adidas top teams in 2020-21: Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Arsenal and Juventus.
Nike Top Clubs:
- we define 10 clubs as Nike top teams: Barcelona, PSG, Chelsea, Atletico, Tottenham, Roma, Inter, Galatasaray, Liverpool and Leipzig (Air Max third kits)
Puma Top Clubs:
- 7 teams are Puma top clubs: Man City, Chivas, Dortmund, Milan, Marseille, Valencia & Palmeiras
If we look at Puma, there are three clubs that are above the others currently - Manchester City, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund. Those three teams are the only featured in the Top Menu of the European & US website.
Do you agree with the brand's rankings and their top teams? Let us know in the comments below.