Referee Kit: Shirt, Shorts and Socks

What is a football referee kit?

A football referee kit is a complete outfit intended for the central referee or assistant referees to officiate during a match. It includes a shirt, shorts, and socks designed to clearly distinguish the referee from the colours worn by both teams on the pitch. This outfit is made to provide good freedom of movement, useful for keeping up with the game throughout the match.

What does a referee kit contain?

A referee kit brings together the three necessary clothing items for officiating: a referee shirt, matching shorts, and a pair of socks. Depending on the models, the outfit can be complemented by specific accessories such as an armband or a lifting belt, available on the pages dedicated to referee accessories. The goal remains the same: to ensure a uniform, comfortable, and immediately identifiable outfit for the players and the public.

Shirts, shorts, socks: items available individually

If you only need one item, or if you want to renew a part of your outfit, each component of the referee kit is also sold separately:

• The referee shirt, available in several colours to differentiate from the teams on the pitch.
• The referee shorts, matching the shirt to complete the outfit.
• The referee socks, designed to match the outfit down to the shoes.

All these items, along with other accessories related to refereeing, can be found on the Referees page.

How to choose your referee kit?

The choice of a referee kit primarily depends on the level of competition and the colour rules set by your league or federation, with some competitions requiring specific colours to avoid confusion with the teams involved. The size should also be checked item by item, as the shirt, shorts, and socks do not always fit the same from one model to another. Finally, the frequency of use may lead to having multiple kits, to alternate outfits throughout matches and washes.

When to take advantage of good deals on referee outfits?

Referee outfits follow the same commercial peak times as the rest of football equipment. Black Friday and the end-of-year holidays are often opportunities to renew your outfit before the new season, just like the winter sales. In spring, the French Days also allow you to add to your gear before the season ends. To keep track of these events, you can check the Sales Equipment, Clearance Equipment, or more broadly the sections Sales, Clearance, and Good Deals. New references arrive on the New Equipment page, and quickly available items can be found on Shipped in 24h.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have to wear the same colour kit for an entire season?

No, there is no obligation to wear the same kit for every match. Many referees have several colours to adapt to the teams' outfits encountered and avoid any visual confusion on the pitch.

Can a referee kit be worn outside of an official match?

Yes, these outfits are also suitable for training or officiating friendly matches. Their cut and materials are still appropriate for regular sports use, even outside of an official competition.

How to maintain a referee kit so it lasts longer?

Do the sizes of a referee kit match those of player outfits?

Not always; the cuts can differ from one manufacturer to another. It is advisable to check the size guide specific to each model before ordering, especially if the shirt and shorts come from different ranges.

Does a referee kit include the armband and other accessories?

No, a referee kit consists of the shirt, shorts, and socks. The armband, lifting belt, or other refereeing accessories are sold separately on the pages dedicated to referee accessories.