Blackburn Rovers have unveiled their 2025/26 home kit ahead of its launch on Monday evening after a leak online.
Rovers announced that their 150-year anniversary kit would be revealed at a special launch event for season ticket holders and online at 5pm. The new shirt would be exclusively available for STHs to view in person and purchase before going on general sale on Tuesday morning (June 17) at 10am.
However, the surprise element was ruined after the club's promotional video was leaked online on Sunday evening. Therefore, everyone was able to get an early viewing of the strip.
As a result, Rovers decided to officially unveil the kit earlier in the day, with the 5pm launch event still taking place. It remains the only place where anyone can buy the shirt and remains exclusive for season ticket holders.
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Blackburn Rovers had nothing to do with the leak, which has been damaging from a PR perspective. The Lancashire Telegraph understands that the video was published by an outside agency that worked with the club on the kit launch. It became viewable on their social channels and was quickly picked up by Rovers fans.
The club acknowledged the leak but hinted there was still more to come in their press release.
"It’s not the big reveal we were hoping for, but we’re not letting that take away from what the shirt signifies," it said.
"This is a shirt we’re genuinely proud of. Not just for how it looks, but for what it represents. It’s blue-and-white, of course, but there’s more to it than first meets the eye. (More on that later today…)"
With a voiceover from Rovers icon Alan Shearer, the video shows Yuki Ohashi, Makhtar Gueye, Lewis Travis, Callum Brittain, Augustus Kargbo and Yuri Ribeiro modelling the home shirt. Balazs Toth is wearing the goalkeeper's green number.
Unsurprisingly, the promotional video leans on the 150th anniversary. In a 30-second video, Shearer says: "Arte et Labore, by skill and hard work.
"It's been the Blackburn way since 1865. In blue and white, with the red rose on our chest, we stand together.
"Our journey began 150 years ago but our future is still being written. We are Blackburn Rovers."
The shirt is blue (right) and white (left) halves with reversed sleeves and neck lining. On the back, the shirt says '150 years', wrapped in roses. There is also a blue and white sleeve trim which gives the shirt some nice detailing.
The goalkeeper's shirt is lime green and short-sleeved inthe promotional video. It has a black neckline, mirroring the home shirt.
The home shirt has received mixed reviews from supporters. Whilst a majority believe the kit is a nice home shirt, others have been critical that there is a lack of a 'retro' feel or nod to previous years given the special anniversary. A lack of red trim or reversed halves has been cited as a potential oversight.
Others like the clean delivery and after the success of last season's strips, there is still every chance it flies off the shelves in the Rovers store.
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