West Ham don't have to comply with new shirt sponsor rule as 2026/27 kit unveiled

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West Ham United have unveiled their new home shirt for the 2026/27 season and last season’s sponsor BoyleSports remains on the front. Premier League clubs agreed in 2023 that they would ditch front-of-shirt deals with gambling companies from this season onwards but the same rule doesn’t apply to teams in the Championship.

The Hammers were relegated to the second tier on the final day of last season despite finishing on 39 points. They joined Burnley and Wolves in dropping down and will play both of those clubs in their first four matches.

While the sponsor remains unchanged, there is one notable tweak compared to last season. New Balance have taken over as kit manufacturers, replacing Umbro.

West Ham unveiled the new kit with players from the men’s and women’s team, including Tomas Soucek and Freddie Potts on the men's side. The inclusion of the senior stars has been read by some supporters as an indication that the pair will have a part to play in what they hope will be a promotion campaign next term.

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Soucek will miss the start of the season after suffering a worrying injury on World Cup duty with the Czech Republic . However, the 31-year-old - who has a year left on his contract - already has a comeback in his sights.

“This injury doesn’t change my mindset. If anything, it makes me even more determined,” he wrote on Instagram . “I’ll use these next few weeks/months to work, recover and come back stronger. As a player, as a teammate and as a person.

“Since the season ended, I’ve only had one thing on my mind. West Ham United. This Club means so much to me and I’m ready to do everything I can in helping get it back to where it belongs; to the English Premier League.”

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West Ham will kick off the new season with a Carabao Cup first round meeting with Portsmouth on August 7. Their first league game sees them travel to Burnley nine days later, while their home opener in the Championship is a London derby against Charlton Athletic.

Despite relegation, manager Nuno Espirito Santo has committed his future to the club. “Of course, there was a lot of noise, a lot of questions, but it was important to understand the time of the decision,” the former Wolves boss said.

“After relegation for all of us it was sad. And it was a moment to feel and to understand.

“But there were never doubts on myself and the Board that this is something that we want to continue. And I'm really pleased [that I can]. I'm thankful for the confidence. Now it's time to work.“

Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.