Shirt types explained: home, away, third & goalkeeper
Every club has several shirts per season – and the terms often cause confusion. Here you’ll learn what sets the home, away, third and goalkeeper shirt apart, when each is worn and which one is right for you.
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The home shirt
The home shirt carries the classic club colours and is worn at home games. It is usually the best-selling and most traditional shirt of a season – the first choice if you want “the” shirt of your club.
The away shirt
The away shirt is used at away games and is deliberately designed to contrast with the home colours so the teams are clearly distinguishable on the pitch. This is often where the bolder designs are found.
The third shirt
The third shirt is the third variant. It is worn when both the home and away shirts clash with the opponent’s colours – often in international competitions. Third shirts are usually more limited and popular with collectors.
The goalkeeper shirt
The goalkeeper wears a separate goalkeeper shirt in a colour that clearly stands out from both outfield teams and the referee – as required by the rules. It is often cut longer and padded at the elbows.
Special and anniversary shirts
For special occasions – club anniversaries, cup finals or campaigns – clubs release special shirts in limited editions. They are usually pricier and sell out fast, but are sought-after collector’s items.
Replica or authentic?
Across all types there are two versions: the cheaper replica (fan version) and the authentic (match version) made from more technical material that matches the real player shirt. The design is identical – for the stands and everyday wear the replica is enough.
Which shirt should I buy?
If you want the classic club look, go for the home shirt. If you like it flashier or wear it every day, the away and third shirts are interesting. Either way, compare prices – there are big differences between types and seasons, and away/third shirts are often reduced the most at the end of the season.
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Popular starting points for the price comparison:
- 1. Bundesliga
- 2. Bundesliga
- 3. Liga
- Regionalliga Südwest
- Premier League
- La Liga
- Serie A
- Ligue 1
- National Shirts
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between a home and an away shirt?
- The home shirt carries the classic club colours and is worn at home games; the away shirt is designed with contrast and is used at away games so the teams can be told apart on the pitch.
- What is a third shirt?
- The third shirt is the third variant. It is worn when both the home and away shirts clash with the opponent’s colours – especially in international competitions.
- Why does the goalkeeper wear a different shirt?
- The rules require the goalkeeper to stand out clearly in colour from both outfield teams and the referee. That is why they have a separate goalkeeper shirt in a different colour.