Borussia Dortmund Launches Contest for Fans to Design 2023-24 Home Kit

The 2023-24 European football season might seem a long way away, but in terms of jersey design, it’s practically right around the corner. And German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund is getting fans involved in the jersey design process in a way the club never has before.

Last week, the club launched a contest for fans to design the 2023-24 home kit. Aspiring designers from across the world can download a template from the contest website, fill in their design — “whether crocheted, painted, 3D animated or with potato print” — and submit it for a chance to win a trip with the team to an international match during the 2023-24 season and 10 VIP tickets to the first Bundesliga match in which the new kit is worn.

Werde Teil der schwarzgelben Geschichte: Gestalte unser Heimtrikot für die Saison 2023/24! #designdattding

👉 https://t.co/3D2wXCAnPO pic.twitter.com/MrgSErs315
— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) January 7, 2022

“In 112 years of our club’s history, we have already seen countless jerseys: From real classics to plain, gaudy, modern or wild jerseys to – yes, you have to admit that – some fashion escapades and total mistakes. But what all jerseys have in common is that they represent our BVB community in the world, that we connect indescribable memories and stories with them, and that they always found critics and lovers.
“But while one will never be able to do justice to everyone’s taste, we have thought of something special. That’s why this time we want to design our kit for the 2023/24 season together with all of you.”
— Borussia Dortmund kit design contest website

Fans can submit their designs online until Feb. 6, 2022. Then a jury will select nine finalists, and those will be put to a public vote between Feb. 25 and March 18, 2022. The jury includes:

Club legend Dedé
Prof. Dirk Gebhardt of Fachhochschule Dortmund
BVB Women’s player Gina Glänzer
BVB Museum manager Sarah Hartwich
Actor/BVB fan Frederick Lau
BVB Merchandising team member Denis Othmani
BVB team captain Marco Reus
Puma graphic designer Lucia Walter
BVB Fans Department board member Tobias Westerfellhaus

Fans can design either by hand or digitally, but must submit digitally, meaning any hand-drawn designs must be scanned. The entry form also includes a chance for designers to explain their inspiration, either in text or a YouTube video. Designers are allowed to submit multiple designs each.

The template only shows the front of the shirt. The club notes in the contest FAQs that “the back of the jersey (including the print) and the rest of the game day outfit (shorts and socks) cannot be designed. They will be completed by PUMA/BVB for regulatory reasons based on the design of the front.”

“Any jersey design will be accepted as long as it complies with the basic regulations (e.g. sponsorship areas) and is also in good taste. For example, no political or religious messages or symbols should be used.”
— Borussia Dortmund kit design contest website

The website also notes that “due to technical production or regulatory guidelines, it may be that we eventually have to modify your design slightly. In that case we will get in touch with you in advance to put the finishing touches together.”