Newly promoted Sunderland have unveiled their third kit ahead of the Premier League season opener, paying tribute to their iconic nickname, ‘The Black Cats’.
This special all-black kit will go on sale at 8 AM BST on August 15.
Alongside the player and goalkeeper kits, the collection also includes an anthem jacket, a quarter-zip jacket, a pre-match t-shirt, and a Black Cats tee and hoodie.
Sunderland Pay Tribute to ‘The Black Cats’ Nickname With Special Third Kit
The Black Cats’ third kit features a stunning blackout design, with dark grey chevrons. The black base of the shirt is built using a mandala of 11 black cats, symbolising 11 players on the pitch.
Sunderland’s third kit has a black cat logo in monochrome, and a graphic inside the collar which tells the origin of the nickname.
The goalkeeping kit it also special in its own right. It is inspired by the patterned tiles at the iconic Bridge Hotel.
🚨 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: Sunderland have dropped their new black-out third kit for the season. 🖤
Rate it out of 10? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/eHsk4PtP5M
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) August 14, 2025
Sunderland’s ‘Black Cat’ third kit is produced using Hummel’s ECO8 technology. As per the club, “each adult shirt is made using eight recycled plastic bottles.”
The third kit will be available in adult, junior, and mini sizes after the special launch event at the Stadium of Light on August 15.
Sunderland open their Premier League campaign with a clash against West Ham United on August 16. The Hammers are the 13/10 favourites with UK betting sites to win the game.
Fans Heap Praise on ‘Fire’ Sunderland Third Kit
Sunderland went all in with the third kit, and it is safe to say that their innovation has paid off. Fans are loving the ‘Black Cats’ kit, with many calling it a must buy.
X (formerly Twitter) user @ramavatar_x wrote:
“That third kit looks 🔥! Loving the Black Cats tribute—classic and fierce.”
That third kit looks 🔥! Loving the Black Cats tribute—classic and fierce. 🖤🐾
— Ram Avatar (@ramavatar_x) August 14, 2025
Looks like I’ll be buying this, the jacket and the keeper top. Another expensive day coming 😳
— BoxeoPats (@BoxeoPats) August 14, 2025
@CalSAFCFTM said the jersey was a must-buy, but would have preferred a dash of golden in it.
I will 100% be buying this ❤️🔥 I like it it’s something different we haven’t had before. The only thing I wish is that it was black and gold instead.
— CalSAFC❤🤍 (@CalSAFCFTM) August 14, 2025
Sunderland have blacked out the W88 sponsor logo, which has won @twangmackem over.
They wrote:
“The blacked sponsor has won me over. You’ll be getting my money again”
The blacked sponsor has won me over. You’ll be getting my money again 😂😂
— TWANGMACKEM8258™️ 🏴🇧🇦 (@twangmackem) August 14, 2025
@AkumaNdirangu dropped the mic, calling it the best kit in the Premier League this season.
“Hardest kit in the league”
Hardest kit in the league 🥶🥶😮💨
— Junkyōsha (@AkumaNdirangu) August 14, 2025
Earlier this month, Real Madrid launched their third kit, going for a retro look. They did not get the reception they expected, with fans pointing out the likeness to the Chelsea home kit.
Origin of the ‘Black Cats’ Nickname
Sunderland have been carrying the ‘Black Cats’ nickname since their inception in 1879. The origin of the nickname goes even further back.
For fans of trivia, the new Sunderland third kit has the origin story in full.
The text on back of the collar reads:
“In 1805, a man was on lookout for Napoleonic enemy ships at a gun battery in Roker.
“One night, he thought he heard a baby crying. Searching for it, he discovered a black cat wailing so piercingly he mistook it for the devil.
Third kit attire 😍🐈⬛ pic.twitter.com/EBouC7SknV
— Sunderland AFC Women (@SAFCWomen) August 14, 2025
“Ridiculed for this, the gun battery became known as the Black Cat Battery. When the football club moved to the area, the nickname naturally fell into place.”
