When to Order Your Club's Kit for the 2026/27 Season: A UK Pre-Season Timeline

Every season it happens at clubs up and down the country: the first fixture is days away, half the squad still has no kit, and someone is frantically chasing an order that was placed far too late. Kit is one of the easiest jobs to put off during the summer — and one of the most stressful to rush. The good news is that a little planning removes almost all of the panic.

This guide sets out a realistic, month-by-month timeline for ordering your club’s kit ahead of the 2026/27 season. It is written for grassroots and semi-professional clubs across all team sports, though the principles apply whether you run a Sunday football side or a county netball squad.

Why kit orders go wrong

Most late kit orders share the same root causes. Decision-making drags on because the committee can’t agree on a supplier or a colour. Sizes are never fully confirmed because half the squad hasn’t renewed yet. The artwork sits in someone’s email waiting for approval. And then July arrives, pre-season starts next week, and the order that should have gone in during May is suddenly urgent.

The solution is not to rush — it is to start earlier than feels necessary.

The pre-season kit timeline

April: review and plan

April is the right month to review your current kit. What is wearing out? What do you need to replace? Are you changing colours or suppliers this season? Is the squad growing? Make a rough list of everything you will need: match kit, training kit, jackets, bags, and any ancillary items like bibs or socks. At this stage you are just planning — no orders yet.

If you are thinking about a new sublimated kit or a significant design change, now is the time to start that conversation, because custom sublimated kits have longer lead times than stock kits with added branding.

May: get quotes and confirm the budget

With your requirements list in hand, request quotes from your preferred suppliers. If you are staying with the same supplier and the same kit design, this step is quick. If you are switching suppliers or redesigning, allow more time for back-and-forth on samples and proofs.

At the same time, confirm your budget with the committee or treasurer. Knowing what you can spend before you get attached to a specific kit saves time and avoids difficult conversations later. If you are applying for grants or fundraising to part-fund the kit, start that process now.

June: confirm the squad and collect sizes

This is the step that causes the most delays. You cannot place a final order until you have a confirmed size list, and size lists depend on knowing who is actually in the squad. A few habits that help:

• Set a registration deadline — anyone who has not renewed by a specific date does not get included in the kit order
• Send a size form at the same time as the registration reminder so both are completed together
• Use a simple spreadsheet or shared form to collect names and sizes, rather than relying on messages and emails
• Remind squad members to measure against a size guide rather than guessing

If your club has a committee, assign one person to chase outstanding sizes. It is a thankless but essential task.

Early July: approve artwork and place the order

Once sizes are confirmed and the budget is agreed, approve the final artwork proof and place the order. For stock kits with added branding (embroidery or heat-transfer names and numbers), production is typically 7–10 working days after artwork approval. For fully sublimated custom kits, allow 10–14 working days. Either way, placing the order in early July gives you delivery before most pre-season programmes start in late July or August.

If you are including personalisation — player names and squad numbers — make sure the full list is submitted with the order. Missing names are the most common cause of delays at this stage.

August: receive, check and distribute

When the order arrives, check everything against the size list before distributing. Count items, verify sizes and check for any production errors. If something is wrong, the sooner you flag it the quicker it can be resolved before the season starts.

Keep a record of which player received which size, particularly for personalised items. It makes the season smoother and the end-of-season collection easier.

What to order: a grassroots club checklist

Every club is different, but a typical full kit order for a grassroots team includes:

• Match shirts (home and, if budget allows, an away colourway)
• Match shorts and socks
• Training bibs in two or three colours for practice sessions
• Training tops or t-shirts
• A mid-layer — hoodie, sweatshirt or tracksuit top
• A warm-up or travel jacket
• A club bag or holdall
• Polo shirt or jacket for coaching staff and officials

Not every club needs all of these, and budget will determine what gets prioritised. Match kit and one training layer is the minimum viable setup. Everything else is a bonus that adds to the club’s professional feel.

How to manage kit for a growing squad

For clubs that are adding players or expanding age groups, a few practical steps make kit management easier over time:

• Order a small buffer of the most common sizes — typically one or two units in S, M, L and XL — so mid-season joiners can be kitted up immediately
• Keep your logo digitised file and garment specifications on record so reorders match the existing kit exactly
• Consider staggering your youth and adult orders if they are on different timelines

Frequently asked questions

How long does a kit order take?

Stock kits with embroidery or heat-transfer branding: 7–10 working days after artwork approval. Fully sublimated custom kits: 10–14 working days after design approval. Express options may be available for urgent orders — contact us to check availability.

Can we order different items for different age groups in the same order?

Yes. We can fulfil junior and senior sizes in the same order. Just provide a clear breakdown of sizes and quantities per age group.

What if we are changing suppliers this season?

If you are switching, you may need to re-digitise your logo for embroidery on a new garment range (though the digitised file often transfers). Allow extra time for samples and proofs if you are starting from scratch with a new garment.

Can we add squad numbers and names?

Yes. Player names and squad numbers are applied by heat-transfer vinyl, sublimation or print depending on the garment type. Provide a complete list at the time of ordering to avoid delays.

Ready to order your 2026/27 kit?

Start the conversation now. Browse our teamwear range, take a closer look at our custom football kits, or get in touch for a quote. The clubs that order in June and July are the ones that take the pitch in August looking the part.