FC Köln and kit partner hummel have unveiled the club’s 2025/26 Karneval Kit, paying tribute to the countless volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to keeping Köln’s famous festivities alive. Under this year’s motto, “Alaaf – Mer dun et för Kölle” (“Alaaf – We do it for Cologne”), the new design celebrates community spirit and the city’s unmistakable Karneval identity.
Inspired by the classic Karneval outfit, the Fastelovend jersey features bold red and white hoops. It will, for the first time, be released exclusively as a traditional long-sleeved shirt. Crafted entirely from 100% recycled polyester, the design incorporates tonal all-over prints of Köln’s most iconic symbols — the city’s coat of arms, the cathedral, and the crown. The gold-crowned city badge is placed proudly at the centre of the chest. Meanwhile, the neckline carries the inscription “1. FC KÖLN – 1948 – 1. FC KÖLN.” On the back of the neck sits this year’s official motto from the Kölner Karneval Festival Committee.
“The Karneval kit connects our passion for FC, the city and volunteering in Karneval in the classic red and white hooped design. Representing the numerous Karneval revellers who bring Fastelovend to life through their commitment throughout the year, we made the volunteers from the Kölsche Harlequins dance group, the Fidelen Kölschen music corps, the inclusive choir Jecke Öhrcher and the Veedelverein Kölsche Sonnenkinder vun 1972 an integral part of our team at the kit launch,” said FC Managing Director, Philipp Liesenfeld.
“The Fastelovend jersey is a celebration of community, tradition, and identity – values that both hummel and 1. FC Köln share deeply. With this design, we wanted to capture the unmistakable spirit of Köln’s Karneval and pay tribute to the volunteers. They keep that spirit alive year after year. Every detail reflects a story of passion and togetherness. It reminds us that football and Karneval both unite people through joy, colour, and pride,” said Morten Lund, Marketing Director at hummel.
The 2025/26 Karneval Kit is limited to 11,111 pieces and is available now online. Fans will see it in action when the men’s team wears it on Sunday, 2 November 2025, against Hamburger SV at RheinEnergieSTADION. Meanwhile, the women’s side will debut it a week later on Sunday, 9 November 2025, against TSG Hoffenheim at Franz-Kremer-Stadion.
