How the Story Began
The Italian clothing brand recognised the upsurge in the popularity of sportswear so naturally, with the country’s passion for football, an expansion into this sector was the next step for the growing brand. Kappa soon became the first Italian clothing brand to sponsor a professional Italian football team with the stylised ‘Omini’ logo taking pride of place on the kit of the Juventus FC team from 1979.
Success came quickly for both parties as Juventus FC won multiple titles and Kappa’s visibility increased quickly. The relationship continued for over 20 years with Juventus winning Italian League titles, four cup trophies, and the European Cup in that time. Football legends such as Baggio, Del Piero, and Platini will forever be remembered in their ‘Omini’ logo kit.
The Juventus FC Team wearing the Kappa sponsored kit in 1979.
A Jersey for Champions?
The success didn’t stop with Juventus FC, the ‘Omini’ logo was worn by many more champions beginning with an expansion across the continent as Kappa sponsored AFC Ajax Amsterdam’s kit in 1984. The team triumphed winning the Dutch Football League Eredivisie, the KNVB Cup, and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.
In 1986 AC Milan’s kit was also adorned with the now renowned logo seeing in back-to-back wins in the European Cup and success in the Italian League also. Sampdoria FC joined the now-growing number of teams under the sponsorship of Kappa®. In 1988 they added a win of the Coppa Italia Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup to the increasing success seen in football from those donning the ‘Omini’ logo.
The brand continued its expansion across the top-flight football teams adding FC Barcelona to its list of partners in 1992 when Ronaldo was recognised as the world’s best football player at just aged 20. The global reach was now undeniable with Manchester City joining the class in 1997. The desire for the brand was now firmly ablaze with the lovers of the game, fans across the continent wanted to emulate their superstars and don the Kappa® label for themselves, with pop stars such as Damon Albarn famously wearing the Kappa® track top, Kappa® athleisure was the uniform of the times.
From left: The FC Barcelona Kappa® shirt of 1997, The Juventus FC Kappa® shirt of 1989. The AC Milan Kappa® shirt of 1999.
Style and Performance as Standard
As the millennium approached, Kappa began developing a bespoke material that would be worn by the Italian National Football Team in the UEFA European Championship in 2000 and the World Cup in 2002. Combining technology with sportswear the Kombat 2000 was born, providing the Italian football stars with a fitted shirt that offered flexibility and stretch with their every move. Kappa led a revolution in the design of kits going forward as baggy shirts soon became a thing of the past.
Alessandro Nesta in the Kappa® Italian National Football Team kit
In Recent Years
Kappa is still a force within football across the continent, with an array of professional teams wearing the infamous logo week after week. Recent sponsorships include many Italian teams such as Empoli FC, ACF Fiorentina, Benevento FC, Genoa C.F.C, SSC Bari, and more. With further representation across Europe with teams such as Aston Villa FC, Real Betis, and AS Monaco.
In 2022 the Tunisian National Team wore a more modern round-neck jersey designed and sponsored by Kappa for the Football World Cup. That year, Premier Soccer League (PSL) team, the Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa, confirmed their partnership with Kappa for the 2023/2024 season. The brand is the official technical sponsor once again, reigniting a legacy relationship from the early ‘90s.
Aston Villa FC players wearing the Kappa® kit.
The Kappa Football Mission
Kappa drives forward its mission of fulfilling sports performance needs for footballers at the elite level and beyond, uniting with players at all levels, fans, and lovers of the game. With a dedication to always bringing creativity and style to kit design, Kappa continues its legacy of technically performing yet sophisticated sportswear.
Community activations like the Kappa Cup, a competition celebrating five-a-side football across three cities in Italy, demonstrate the brand’s commitment to elevating people by providing opportunities to be together, celebrate each other and the culture of football.
Football player wearing Kappa® teamsports bespoke kit.
