8 Premier League clubs forced into major kit change from next season after £80m decision

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A host of Premier League clubs have been forced into a major kit change next season as part of a measure that could cost them £80million. From 2026/27, clubs will no longer be allowed to have gambling companies' logos emblazoned on their shirts.

This season, 11 Premier League clubs have had a betting firm as their main shirt sponsors, including already relegated Wolves and Burnley , and West Ham , who could follow them into the Championship. Gambling brands, particularly those based in Asia, have been willing to pay vast sums to secure the mass visibility the Premier League offers.

Research by Investigate Europe last year found that 296 of the 442 clubs in the top European leagues had at least one betting partner last season, while research in 2023 found that betting logos appear up to 3,500 times during TV games.

The voluntary ban was voted through by Premier League clubs in April 2023. However, there hasn't been a phasing out of the practice in the years since.

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With just months to go until the ban is enforced, the majority of the clubs affected still haven't announced their replacement sponsor. That raises the possibility that some clubs will begin next season without front-of-shirt advertising.

The Guardian reported last month that could lead to a collective loss of income of up to £80m. One of the clubs that needs a new shirt sponsor are Europa League winners Aston Villa, who didn't carry their usual betting partner, Bentano, during the final against Freiburg in Istanbul due to Turkish licensing regulations. Instead, the Aston Villa Foundation, the club's charity arm, adorned the front of their shirts.

One of the few clubs to unveil their shirt sponsor for next season are Bournemouth , who will carry stadium sponsor Vitality. Crystal Palace have struck a deal with software company Temporal, while Brentford are expected to adopt recruitment brand Indeed, which already sponsors their training gear.

As for the teams coming up, Middlesbrough, who have replaced Southampton in the play-off final amid the 'Spygate' scandal, would be affected as their shirt sponsor is a betting company. Their opponents, Hull City , are sponsored by an airline. Automatically promoted Coventry and Ipswich, meanwhile, are also unaffected.

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Arsenal – Emirates (Airline)

Aston Villa – Betano (Gambling)

Bournemouth – bj88 (Gambling)

Brentford – Hollywood Bets (Gambling)

Brighton – American Express (Banking)

Burnley – 96.com (Gambling)

Chelsea – IFS (AI)

Crystal Palace – NET88 (Gambling)

Everton – Stake.com (Gambling)

Fulham – SBOTOP (Gambling)

Leeds – Red Bull (Drinks brand)

Liverpool – Standard Chartered (Banking)

Manchester United – Snapdragon ( Technology )

Man City – Etihad Airways (Airline)

Newcastle – Sela (Entertainment)

Nottingham Forest – Bally’s (Gambling)

Sunderland – W88 (Gambling)

Tottenham – AIA (Insurance)

West Ham – Boyle Sports (Gambling)

Wolves – DEBET (Gambling)

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