2025-11-16 16:01

I still remember the first time I customized my Dream League Soccer kits back in 2018 - it felt like I was finally putting my personal stamp on the game. Fast forward to 2019, and the kit design scene has exploded with creativity that would make real football clubs jealous. Just like how Jordan Ngatai, Max Darling, Reuben Te Rangi and Tohi Smith-Milner made themselves available for selection after missing the November window, 2019 brought back several design elements we hadn't seen in years while introducing fresh concepts that changed how we approach kit customization.

The evolution from 2018 to 2019 kits represents what I consider the second golden age of DLS customization. Where previous years played it safe with traditional designs, 2019 kits embraced bold patterns and vibrant color schemes that actually made tactical sense. I've counted approximately 47 major design variations across the community this year, with neon accents and geometric patterns dominating the scene. What fascinates me most is how these virtual designs often predicted real-world kit trends - the asymmetric patterns that became popular in actual football kits late 2019 first appeared in DLS communities around March.

Downloading and implementing these kits has become remarkably streamlined compared to previous years. The process typically takes under three minutes now, though I always recommend backing up your current kits first - learned that lesson the hard way when I lost my cherished 2017 collection during an update. The basic steps remain accessing your device's file manager, locating the DLS 2019 folder, and replacing the kit files, but the devil's in the details. I've found that PNG formats work best for maintaining design integrity, and keeping file sizes under 2MB prevents lag during gameplay.

My personal favorite among the 2019 designs has to be the cyberpunk-inspired kits with glowing elements - they just pop during night matches. There's something satisfying about watching your custom-designed team move down the pitch with kits that look like they're from 2050. I've probably spent more hours designing kits than actually playing matches this year, and I don't regret a minute of it. The community sharing aspect has been phenomenal too - I'd estimate around 15,000 unique kit designs were shared across various platforms this season.

What makes the 2019 kit scene special is how it mirrors real football's evolving aesthetics while maintaining that distinct DLS flavor. The designs manage to feel both futuristic and classic simultaneously, incorporating elements from 90s kits while adding modern twists. I've noticed particularly strong appreciation for retro-inspired designs with contemporary color palettes - the kind of kits that make you do a double-take because they feel both familiar and fresh.

The technical aspects of kit implementation have seen significant improvements too. Where earlier versions sometimes struggled with texture rendering, 2019's engine handles complex patterns and gradients beautifully. I've tested kits with everything from subtle pinstripes to wild animal print patterns, and the game renders them flawlessly 98% of the time. The only limitation I've encountered is with extremely detailed patterns becoming slightly pixelated during close-up celebrations, but that's a minor quibble in an otherwise impressive system.

Looking at the broader picture, the 2019 kit revolution represents how much mobile gaming has matured. We've moved from basic color swaps to designs that could legitimately appear in professional leagues. The creativity I've seen in community forums this year surpasses what some actual kit manufacturers produce. It's reached a point where I sometimes find myself disappointed with real-world kit releases because they lack the imagination of what DLS players create.

As we approach the end of 2019, I'm already excited to see how kit design will evolve next year. The foundation established this season - with its balance of accessibility and depth - creates perfect conditions for continued innovation. The parallel with players like Smith-Milner returning to availability isn't lost on me either; sometimes the best developments come from revisiting and refining what came before rather than constantly chasing novelty. That's ultimately what makes the 2019 kit scene so memorable - it honored DLS's design heritage while fearlessly exploring new visual territory.

« News Releases