So, What Should You Wear To A Football Match?

The easy answer? Something simple. The key to getting your outfit right for watching football is to focus on comfort above all else. Clothing with a versatile look that won’t distract from the drama or last-minute winners. To avoid a wardrobe malfunction on game day, then, here are our top tips on what to wear to your next football match.

MATCH YOUR GAME-DAY OUTFIT TO THE WEATHER

When you’re weighing up the best outfit to wear to a football game, the first thing on your checklist is to look at your phone’s weather app. If your screen shows a blazing hot sun, then you’ll have a good idea of the sort of apparel you need to pull off the hanger. Basically, something that won’t cook you as you sit or stand through a high intensity football game. For that, soft, lightweight fabrics and a relaxed cut are your friends – think tees, crop tees, shorts, and bottoms, like those available in the new Z.N.E adidas Sportswear collection.

Before you go skipping off in just a tee and shorts, though – hold up. If you’ve ever watched a televised football game in the summer and noticed the shadow covering half the pitch, you may have guessed that football stadiums can be cool, shady places. So, unless the air temperature is sizzling, bring along a top layer. The Z.N.E. full-zip hoodie, for example. Soft AEROREADY fabrics will keep you comfortable during the game, you can pull the zip down for air, and if you’re out on a celebratory hype after the match you can wear it for warmth.

A photo of a full-zip hoodie, water bottle and X_PLRBOOST trainer from the adidas Z.N.E. Sportswear collection displayed on plastic football stadium seat.

FOCUS ON COMFORT NEXT TIME YOU'RE PICKING A MATCH-DAY OUTFIT

Taking your seat for a live football game means strapping in for a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Hair-raising ups and downs, twists and turns, and results that will make you feel on top of the world or sick with disappointment. If you’re anything like us, you’ll go through a whole range of calorie-burning motions just to manage your feelings.

When you’re fidgeting about like this, wriggling on the edge of your seat, focus zoomed in on the action, the last thing you want is to feel restricted in tight, uncomfortable clothing. You want an outfit – and bottoms, in particular – with minimal designs and soft fabrics that won’t impede nervous wriggling. Z.N.E. leggings with four-way stretch and trousers with AEROREADY fabrics are both ideal for watching tense football games.

Hoodies are also handy during particularly intense moments in football matches, like penalty shootouts. For reasons still unknown to science, watching through fingers or peeking out from a cinched-up hood makes the drama easier to handle.


WEAR THE RIGHT COLOURS

If you’re watching the game in a football stadium with the rest of your team’s fans, then you can show your allegiance by choosing your colourways accordingly. How strictly you adhere to team pride, though, is entirely up to you.

Wear a perfect head-to-toe colour match, or your favourite team's football shirt if you must; choose a Z.N.E. tracksuit in a shade subtly adjacent to your team’s colours; or keep it on the downlow in a pair of Z.N.E. socks in the right shade. When you’re among your own fans, no one questions your choices.

If you’re not sitting with your favourite team’s fans, however, or you have zero allegiance to anything other than experiencing a thrilling, end-to-end football game, then it’s wise to keep your colours neutral.

A photo of a hoodie, cross-body bag and socks from the adidas Z.N.E. Sportswear collection displayed on a plastic football stadium seat.

PICK THE RIGHT FOOTWEAR FOR THOSE LONG GAME DAYS

Attending a football game is a full-day commitment to being on your feet. You’ll be walking to and from the stadium, and climbing steep steps to your seat, then back down to the concourse for drinks and snacks. Then there’s the queueing (for everything), and standing around talking about all things football before, during, and after the game. You’re only a spectator, but your feet and knees are still getting a workout.

If you want to stay comfortable throughout and still have enough spring left in your step for a quick getaway at the final whistle, or to hang around and enjoy the post-win feels, then you need to get your footwear right. Trainers that help cushion your stride are the only way to go. Take a look at the Z.N.E. X_PLRBOOST with BOOST midsole technology, so comfortable you’ll forget you’re even wearing them.

A close-up photo X_PLRBOOST trainers, cap and socks from the adidas Z.N.E. Sportswear collection displayed on a plastic football stadium seat.

HERE'S WHAT ELSE YOU MIGHT NEED FOR YOUR GAME-DAY EXPERIENCE

Game days are the best days. As soon as you leave home, you’ll want to savour every moment. The building excitement as you make your way to the stadium; the buzz of meeting friends to soak up the football fiesta atmosphere before kick-off; and the 90 to 120 minutes, plus half-time, injury time and penalties (if you’re lucky), spent watching the greatest game in the world unfold before you. It’s all such a trip.

To help you absorb every moment, make sure you have everything you need for a full-day football adventure close to hand. Wallet or purse, keys, makeup, phone, a lucky mascot, and whatever else you classify as essential. Make use of the hidden zip pockets on your Z.N.E. hoodie and stow the rest safely away in a bumbag or cross-body bag that won’t get in the way of the game’s big moments.

Watching football during the summer means you’ll also need sunscreen in your bag, and at some stage of the game you’ll almost certainly be looking into the sun, squinting for a view of the action. Cut down the glare with sunglasses and a bucket hat or cap.

And don’t forget to hydrate. A water bottle is essential kit, particularly if you’re in a football fan zone or park, or anywhere else without easy access to H20. If you want to take your bottle with you to a live game, though, check the stadium’s rules of entry beforehand.


NOW YOU'RE READY FOR KICK-OFF

You’re dressed for the weather in clothing that won’t impede any nervous wriggling or jumping about. You’ve picked the right colours and comfortable footwear. And you’ve packed all your essentials for the day. Now you're ready to focus on the action and live your game-day journey. Just don’t forget your ticket.

Shop the Z.N.E. adidas Sportswear collection and zoom in your game-day focus.

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