Premier League kit rankings: Brighton’s stripes top CBS Sports list as Newcastle land at bottom

CBS Sports has released a definitive ranking of the home and away kits for all 20 Premier League clubs for the 2026/27 season. The analysis, published on 21 August, graded each club’s home and away looks separately before averaging the scores to determine a final position. The review assessed design elements such as colour palettes, stripes, and collars, offering a critical look at the visual identity of the league’s teams.

Brighton’s home kit emerged as a standout, receiving high praise for its narrower blue and white stripes. The design was noted for distinguishing itself from similar kits in the league through its specific detailing. Brentford’s away kit also received favourable attention, described as a “lovely” black and white design inspired by suit tailoring. The club’s commitment to sustainability was also highlighted, with Brentford set to wear their home kit for two consecutive seasons through to the end of 2027/28.

At the other end of the spectrum, Newcastle United’s designs were placed at the bottom of the rankings. The review questioned the design choices for both the home and away kits, noting that the different thicknesses of the stripes on the home jersey did not work together effectively. While the away kit featured a castle motif, the overall presentation was deemed insufficient to lift the club out of the lowest position.

The analysis identified a significant trend towards black or white shirts across the league, with the reviewer noting that there were “far too many” such designs. Several clubs, including Chelsea and Manchester City, adopted black away kits, though these received mixed reactions. Chelsea’s home kit was praised for minor touches that distinguished it from standard blue designs, while their away look was criticised as a poor attempt at a black aesthetic.

Established clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester United were noted for maintaining their iconic looks. Liverpool’s home kit incorporated elements from their historic “candy kits,” while Manchester United’s standard red home shirt, accented with a collar, kept both of the club’s looks in the upper tiers of the ranking. The review also included kits from newly promoted clubs Coventry City and Ipswich Town, evaluating them alongside the established Premier League teams.

Other notable designs included Sunderland’s away kit, which features an Elvis Presley-inspired design in collaboration with Hummel, and Arsenal’s away shirt, which included a nod to their “bruised banana” nickname. The ranking serves as a subjective assessment of the season’s visual themes, reflecting the diverse approaches clubs have taken to their apparel strategies.