The Story of Hamburg SV’s Kits
Founded in 1887, Hamburg SV are one of Germany’s oldest and most recognisable clubs. Their home kit — white shirt, red shorts, and blue socks — is instantly familiar across European football. The design, established in the early 20th century, symbolises the club’s maritime identity and the blue of the River Elbe.
Unlike most clubs, HSV’s home colours have barely changed in over a hundred years, giving them a timeless look that embodies stability, tradition, and pride.
Kit Evolution and Brand Heritage
In the early days, HSV’s kits were made locally, featuring simple cotton fabrics and hand-stitched crests. By the 1970s, Adidas, headquartered just a few hours away in Herzogenaurach, became the club’s main supplier — a partnership that helped define both brands’ football heritage.
Adidas has produced almost all Hamburg shirts since, from minimalist 1970s classics to the sleek modern editions of the 2020s. Away kits have offered striking contrasts: navy, black, or even bold turquoise and gold variants. Third kits frequently celebrate the port city’s culture, with subtle anchor or wave patterns woven into the fabric.
Famous Hamburg SV Shirts
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1982/83 Home Shirt – worn when HSV lifted the European Cup, beating Juventus 1–0 in Athens.
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1978/79 Home Shirt – associated with Kevin Keegan’s Ballon d’Or season and back-to-back Bundesliga titles.
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2005/06 Home Shirt – marking the club’s Champions League return, blending classic white with modern red detailing.
2017/18 Home Shirt – remembered as the final shirt before HSV’s first-ever relegation after 55 years in the top flight.
Little-Known Facts About Hamburg SV Kits
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One of the few unbeaten colours: HSV’s traditional white-red-blue combo dates back to pre-World War I and is based on the flag of Hamburg’s sailing clubs.
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Diamond heritage: The famous blue-and-black diamond on a white background is one of the oldest unchanged crests in football history.
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Adidas proximity: HSV were among Adidas’s earliest professional partners, often testing prototypes of boots and fabrics before global release.
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Unique numbering: In the 1980s, HSV briefly used thick, rounded number fonts exclusive to the club — now a collector favourite among retro enthusiasts.
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European innovation: The 1983 European Cup-winning shirt was one of the first in Europe to feature lightweight breathable polyester rather than cotton.
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Rivalry with St. Pauli: Hamburg’s kits have occasionally featured maritime motifs (anchors, wave textures) as subtle nods to their seafaring roots — a contrast to St Pauli’s earthier, industrial aesthetic.
The clock symbol: Some shirts in the 2000s featured a small stadium-clock motif, referencing HSV’s famous timepiece that once tracked their uninterrupted Bundesliga run.
Our Range and Personalisation Options
At UK Soccer Shop, you can shop the full Hamburg SV collection — including home, away, and third shirts, retro classics, and training wear. Each jersey is 100 % authentic and produced to official Bundesliga standards.
Personalisation is available on most shirts, so you can add your name or those of club legends such as Kevin Keegan, Uwe Seeler, or Rafael van der Vaart.
For collectors and European football fans, explore our related categories:
Why Hamburg SV Shirts Stand Out
Hamburg’s kits are a perfect blend of history and modern style. The white shirt, red shorts, and blue socks remain unchanged symbols of the city’s maritime pride. Whether you’re buying a retro edition or the latest release, a Hamburg SV shirt connects you to one of Germany’s great football institutions — and to more than a century of European football heritage.