Long-sleeved football jerseys have a charm of their own: they cover your arms in your clubโs colors, can be worn on their own when the air turns chilly, and bring to mind jerseys from years gone by. The question is when theyโre actually useful, and whether theyโre a better choice than the short-sleeved version.
This short guide gets straight to the point: its role on the pitch, when it makes a difference, how it compares with short sleeves and how to choose the right size. Here, weโre talking about the jersey itself, not layering up in very cold weather.
Wear a long-sleeved jersey when the weather is cool but not really cold, from autumn through spring: at the stadium, in an amateur match, around town or to bring back the look of retro jerseys.
- The Laws of the Game require a shirt with sleeves, but donโt specify their length: both versions are allowed in matches.
- It covers your arms but is still a lightweight jersey: in very cold weather, youโll need an extra layer.
- Choose the same size as you would in a short-sleeved version, and size up for a player version if in doubt.
- Most of our styles are available from S to 2XL, with around twenty styles going up to 4XL.
What is a long-sleeved football jersey for?
A long-sleeved football jersey is mainly for covering your arms: protecting them from cool air, wind and friction when you fall. The Laws of the Game simply require a shirt with sleeves, without specifying their length: each player chooses based on the weather and their habits, and the same team often mixes both versions.
In footballโs early days, long sleeves were the norm, on shirts similar to rugby jerseys. Short sleeves became popular later, then, from the 2000s onward, many players adopted short-sleeved jerseys over technical base layers, in colors regulated by the rules (see our guide to keeping your jersey visible in cold weather). In recent seasons, the classic long sleeve has made a comeback, both among some players and supporters.
Goalkeepers, on the other hand, have never really given up long sleeves: they protect their forearms and elbows with every dive.
When should you wear a long-sleeved jersey?
Wear it whenever the air turns chilly and youโll be outside for a while, from October to April: in the stands, on the pitch, in town, or simply for the pleasure of a beautiful retro jersey. Choose your situation.
In the stands, autumn evenings are colder than you might think. Long sleeves keep your arms covered when you open your jacket to show your colors.
The 2026/2027 Real Madrid long-sleeved home jersey, white with fuchsia stripes running the full length of the arm, is a perfect example. On a winter night, still bring a windbreaker to throw on over it.
Sunday morning matches, outdoor five-a-side, or training after dark: long sleeves mean you can skip the undershirt and help reduce rubbing against artificial turf if you fall.
Choose a player version for a closer fit: the sleeve wonโt flap around. For goalkeepers, itโs almost instinctive, as with the United States 2026 World Cup goalkeeper jersey, black with a scattering of stars and a gradient from orange-red to purple.
Between seasons, it works really well in place of a lightweight sweatshirt, with raw denim or cargo pants. The polo or V-necks on retro styles look dressier than a crew neck.
The 1994 Argentina long-sleeved away jersey, blue with a black polo collar and a column of diamonds down the side, has exactly that kind of look.
On 1980s and 1990s jerseys, long sleeves show details that the short-sleeved version cuts in half: stripes running the full length of the arm, contrasting cuffs.
On the 1998/1999 AS Roma home long-sleeved shirt, the orange band decorated with wolf heads runs all the way to the end of the sleeve. Discover more period pieces in our retro shirts from the 1980s to the 2010s.
Long or short sleeves: which should you choose?
Choose long sleeves if you mainly wear your shirt outdoors between October and April, and short sleeves if you want a versatile piece you can wear all year round. The table summarizes the differences for different uses.
| Criteria | Long sleeves | Short sleeves |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal season | Autumn, mild winter, spring | Late spring, summer, indoors |
| At the stadium | Arms covered, colors visible under an open jacket | Requires a layer underneath or a zipped-up jacket |
| During a match | No base layer needed in cool weather | Keeps you cooler during exercise |
| In town | Replaces a lightweight sweatshirt | Can be worn on its own in warm weather |
| Choice of styles | More limited selection, mainly major clubs and national teams | All shirts in the store |
What size should I get in a long-sleeved football shirt?
Choose the same size as you would for a short-sleeved shirt: our size guides donโt distinguish between the two versions; only the fit matters.
| Fit | Chest | Length | Our recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fan | 51 to 53 cm | 71 to 73 cm | Your usual size |
| Player version | 46 to 48 cm | 69 to 71 cm | Size up if in doubt |
| Retro | 53 to 56 cm | 74 to 76 cm | Straight cut, roomier fit |
All sizes are listed in the complete football shirt size chart, and our method for measuring a shirt that already fits you helps avoid surprises. The guides donโt give sleeve lengths: if your shirts are already a little short in the body, sizing up will prevent the cuffs from riding up.
Most of our adult long-sleeve jerseys are available in sizes S to 2XL. Around twenty go up to 4XL, including the PSG Home 2025/2026 long-sleeve jersey and the AC Milan Fourth 2026/2027 long-sleeve jersey, red with black sides. Our guide to jerseys in sizes XXL to 4XL covers these plus sizes. For children, around ten kits are available in long sleeves, from ages 2-3 to 12-13, among all our kids' football kits.
The selectionOur selection of long-sleeve jerseys
Six jerseys whose designs really come into their own along the full length of the sleeves. They can be personalized just like the short-sleeve version, with your choice of name and number on the back.
France supporters can also find all the France national team jerseys, in both short and long sleeves, and our widest selection of long-sleeved styles is among the Premier League jerseys.
Frequently asked questions
A little, since it covers your arms, but itโs still a lightweight, breathable jersey. In very cold weather, add a thin base layer underneath or a jacket on top.
Yes. The Laws of the Game require a jersey with sleeves, but donโt specify their length, and players on the same team often wear a mix of long and short sleeves. Any visible undershirt must match the sleeve color.
No, the same size as for a short-sleeved jersey generally works. For a player version, which fits closer to the body, the size guide recommends going up a size if youโre unsure.
Yes, you can have a name and number printed on the back, just like on the short-sleeved version. Long sleeves donโt affect the customization options listed on the jerseyโs product page.
Yes, about ten kidsโ kits are available with long sleeves, from ages 2-3 to 12-13. They include recent jerseys from major clubs and a few retro styles, like Franceโs 1998 kit.
The jersey for cooler days
A long-sleeved football jersey isnโt winter clothing or just a style detail: itโs for evening games in the stands, Sunday matches and autumn outings. Choose your usual size, a player version if you play, or a retro style if you like designs that extend to the wrists.