By Spenix Sportswear · Published October 21, 2026
SPENIX FIELD GUIDE · SOCCER COLOUR PLANNING
The short answer: Make the main kit and alternate kit clearly different at a glance. Plan the goalkeeper colours at the same time and confirm the organiser’s current requirements before placing the order.
Two shirts can have different patterns and still be difficult to tell apart during a match. If both are mostly dark blue, changing a sleeve stripe may not solve the problem. Think in terms of clear team identification, not just two attractive designs.
What do the rules actually say?
IFAB Law 4 requires the teams’ colours to distinguish them from each other and the match officials, and each goalkeeper’s colours to be distinguishable too. Your competition may add detailed kit and advertising requirements. Ask the organiser to check your proposed combinations rather than assuming a supplier can certify every league’s rules.
| Kit role | A practical design goal | What to review |
|---|---|---|
| Main outfield kit | Strong, recognisable club identity | Dominant shirt colour and readable numbers |
| Alternate outfield kit | A genuinely different colour solution | The full front, back, sleeves and lower kit |
| Goalkeeper option | Clear distinction from outfield players and officials | Actual match combinations, not isolated thumbnails |
| Training kit | Useful everyday teamwear | Whether it is intended or permitted for match use |
| Spare kit | A usable emergency option | Available sizes, numbering and storage |
Check combinations, not single jerseys
Put the two outfield designs beside both goalkeeper options. Review the front and back, then the shorts and socks. Ask whether the competition expects a complete alternate kit or only a different shirt. Keep any permitted base-layer colours in the same approval sheet so the final match-day setup is not a surprise.
Give goalkeepers a separate line in the budget
A goalkeeper is part of the roster, but their clothing does not have to be the same specification as every outfield kit. Long sleeves, different colours, personal preferences and rotating keepers can affect what is ordered. State the size and quantity of each keeper item explicitly.
Build a clear colour system
- 01 →ComparePlace main, alternate and keeper designs together.
- 02 →ConfirmAsk the organiser to review the planned combinations.
- 03 ✓RecordSave the accepted colour references and item list.
A colour name is not enough
“Red” can mean very different shades on different screens and fabrics. Give the supplier any existing team colour reference and explain how closely a new item needs to match. If you are adding to an older kit, provide a physical reference where possible and discuss the practical limits of matching a new batch to worn clothing.
- Keep original logo and colour-reference files.
- Avoid mixing approvals from different screen previews.
- Ask to see any colour-sensitive sample before bulk production.
- Record which items belong to each approved combination.
- Confirm the replacement-order process while the details are current.
Calculate outfield and goalkeeper quantities separately
As a worked example, 18 outfield players receiving two sets each require 36 outfield sets. Two outfield spares make 38. If two goalkeepers each receive two keeper sets, add four separately specified keeper sets. The complete example is 42 sets, but they are not all the same product. This is a planning example, not a rule about roster size.
Team-order calculator
Change the numbers to plan your order. Prices are your own inputs, not a Spenix quote. This tool does not send or store your entries.
Formula: players × sets per player + extra sets. Budget = total sets × entered set price + other costs. Taxes, freight, duties and fees must be included in your own inputs. If your browser disables the tool, use these formulas directly.
Connect the kit plan to the order file
Use the soccer jersey ordering guide for the wider process and the soccer ordering checklist before sign-off. A complete specification is easier to maintain with the tech-pack approach: one design revision, one item list and one checked roster.
For general match staffing context, IFAB Law 3 explains the player framework. It does not tell a club how many uniforms to purchase; registration, substitutes, competition rules and spare stock determine that.
Quick answers
Does an away kit have to be white?
There is no universal answer for every competition. The organiser’s rules and the ability to distinguish the teams matter. Get the proposed colourways checked.
Can one goalkeeper shirt cover every situation?
It may not solve every clash or fit every rotating goalkeeper. Plan realistic alternatives and confirm what the competition requires.
Should socks be part of the alternate kit order?
Ask the organiser about the complete uniform requirements and list the needed items explicitly. Do not assume a second shirt settles every colour issue.
Build a kit your team will want to wear.
Send Spenix your roster size, design idea and required arrival date. Ask for a written breakdown of materials, decoration, sizes, shipping and any extra costs before you approve production.
Request a custom team quote →Want to see the range first? Explore the collection.
