Why are Inter wearing their yellow kit in the Champions League final against PSG?

Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain are set to face off in the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League final this Saturday, in what promises to be one of the most thrilling matches of the year. Ahead of kickoff, many fans have been left wondering why the Italian giants will be wearing their yellow third kit instead of their traditional black and blue colors.

The Nerazzurri—which literally means “black and blue” in Italian—are known worldwide for their iconic striped home kit. So why the change? Due to tournament regulations, PSG have been designated the “home” team for the final at Allianz Arena, meaning they’ll wear their primary dark blue kit. This has forced Inter to opt for an alternate strip to avoid a color clash.

But why yellow and not the white away kit? According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the decision was actually driven by superstition. Inter players reportedly chose the yellow third kit because of its perfect track record in this year’s Champions League. The club won both times they wore it—1–0 against Sparta Prague and 2–0 against Feyenoord—both games on the road.

Meanwhile, the white away kit carries some negative baggage. Inter wore it during the first leg of their semifinal against Barcelona, but more notably, it was the kit worn during their only Champions League loss of the season—a group stage defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.

Inter have lifted the Champions League trophy three times in their history: in 1963–64 against Real Madrid, in 1964–65 against Benfica, and in 2009–10 against Bayern Munich. They wore their traditional colors in the first and third wins, and the white kit in the second. A victory in yellow on Saturday would mark the first time they’ve won the title in a third kit—making it a historic occasion.

Inter’s kit choice makes Champions League history

With both finalists featuring dark blue home kits, UEFA’s kit regulations forced Inter into a rare situation. But by opting for their third kit, the club has now created a first in Champions League history.

This will be the first time a team has worn its third kit in a Champions League final. Whether it results in victory or defeat, Inter will set a precedent as the first club to compete for European glory in an alternate strip—adding another layer of intrigue to an already historic night.