To mark the 25th anniversary of the Kombat™ 2000 shirt, Kappa held an exclusive exhibition at BasicVillage Milan, celebrating over four decades of football history and the brand’s role at the intersection of sport, fashion, and culture.
The Kombat™ jersey, launched in 2000 and worn by the Italian national team at UEFA EURO 2000, introduced a revolutionary design focused on performance.
Developed by Kappa’s Research & Development centre, it featured elastic fabric that gave players an extra 30 centimetres of movement while reducing the effects of shirt-pulling. This “stop stopping” innovation also helped referees identify fouls more clearly, setting a new standard in technical football wear.
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The exhibition, unveiled to the press on 7 May 2025, traced Kappa’s football legacy from its first major partnership with Juventus FC in 1979 to its more recent collaborations that blend football with lifestyle and street culture. Hosted at the headquarters of Kappa and the BasicNet Group, the space was transformed into a tribute to the game’s history and visual identity.
Visitors were able to explore a curated collection of original Kappa jerseys worn by iconic players, as well as rare photographs, memorabilia, and testimonials. Together, these elements told the story of how the brand has evolved with the game, from pitch to pop culture.
The exhibition was open to the public for one day only, on 9 May 2025, with attendees required to register online at the kappa website. Throughout the day, a series of cultural talks took place, featuring international voices from design, marketing, photography, and sports media. These sessions explored how football kit design connects with wider creative industries and continues to influence global culture.
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