The difference between home and away soccer jerseys is simple: the home kit uses a team’s primary, traditional colours and is worn at their own stadium, while the away kit uses contrasting colours so the team stands out when the home side they are visiting wears similar colours. Many teams also have a third kit for extra colour clashes.
| Home Kit | Away Kit | Third Kit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colours | Traditional team colours | Contrasting / alternate | Bold, experimental |
| Worn | Home matches | When colours clash away | Backup for further clashes |
| Design | Classic, consistent | Changes more often | Most adventurous |
It comes down to a simple rule: the two teams on the pitch must be easy to tell apart, for players, referees, and fans alike. If a visiting team’s home colours are too close to the host team’s, they switch to their away kit. When both home and away kits would still clash, the third kit steps in. That is the entire reason multiple kits exist.
The home shirt carries a club or country’s identity, its historic colours, crest, and traditions. It changes the least from season to season and is usually the best-selling version because it is the one fans most associate with their team. If you only buy one jersey, the home kit is the safe, classic choice.
Away and third kits give designers freedom to experiment, which is why some of the most striking jerseys in history have been alternate kits. Collectors love them precisely because they are bolder and produced in smaller numbers, making them feel more exclusive.
Many clubs produce a third kit, used when both home and away colours would clash with the opposition. Third kits are often the boldest, most experimental designs and are popular with collectors precisely because they are produced in smaller numbers.
The goalkeeper always wears colours distinct from both outfield teams, the referee, and the other keeper. That’s why GK kits are usually bold, contrasting choices, neon, electric blue, or fluorescent yellow, built for visibility.
If buying your first kit, choose the home version, it’s the most recognisable and most appropriate for casual wear. Add an away or third kit for variety. Many fans collect both home and away to switch between matchday and casual looks.
Home and away kits sometimes carry different sponsor placements or design elements. Some clubs use away kits to showcase special editions or community partnerships, adding extra meaning for collectors.
A home-and-away pair makes a great collection foundation. Wear the home kit on matchday and the away kit casually, or alternate. Over seasons, your collection tells the story of your club. Read our collector’s guide.
We stock home and away kits separately for every major club in our Team Jersey collection.
Yes, if there is no colour clash with the host team, a visiting side can wear its home kit anywhere. The away kit only comes out when colours would be too similar.
The home kit is the classic, most recognisable choice. Pick an away or third kit if you prefer a bolder, more exclusive design.
Away and third kits are where brands experiment, so they refresh more frequently and in more adventurous colours than the tradition-bound home shirt.
Compare both styles across our national-team jersey range.
Last updated: June 2026
