RC Lens Shirts

RC Lens, a club and a community

Few French clubs are as closely linked to their territory. Racing Club de Lens was born in the mining basin of Pas-de-Calais, and its supporters come from an area with around thirty thousand inhabitants for a stadium that holds thirty-eight thousand. Bollaert-Delelis fills up match after match, with one of the highest attendance rates in Europe.

The club's achievements are more modest than those of the major clubs in the league: one title of French champion, won in the late nineties, and a League Cup. But the club's reputation doesn't rely on its trophy cabinet.

It relies on its atmosphere. On European match nights, the Lensois Marseillaise and the Marek and Trannin stands make Bollaert one of the most impressive stadiums in France, and this is what neutral supporters come looking for.

Blood and gold: the most recognizable shirt in Ligue 1

RC Lens's home shirt is yellow and red, with vertical stripes. These colours come from the coat of arms of Artois and have become the club's nickname itself: the Sang et Or.

It's a shirt that is unlike any other in the league, and the club makes only marginal changes from one collection to another. The width of the stripes and the collar details change, but the base remains.

Home or away: which one to choose?

The home shirt is the blood and gold of Bollaert, the one that the vast majority of supporters buy, and the one that remains recognizable long after.

The away shirt starts with a solid base, often light or dark depending on the collection, and drops the stripes. It’s the one that is most easily worn outside of the stadium context for those who already have the home shirt.

Supporter version or player version?

The supporter version has a straight, looser fit, made from breathable but soft material. It's the one worn in the stands and in the street, and the default choice if you're unsure.

The player version follows the on-pitch look: body-hugging fit, technical fabric, different finishes. It is considerably more fitted, to the point that it’s common to take one size up, sometimes two.

A detail that matters in Lens: many matches are played in cold and wet weather, and a shirt worn over a layer requires comfort. The supporter version is more suited for this use.

What size shirt should I get?

In the supporter version, your usual t-shirt size is suitable in most cases. In the player version, expect to take one size up at minimum.

For children, the junior sizes follow age and height in centimetres. Taking a size up to make it last for another season generally means the shirt won’t be worn.

Personalisation: name, number and badges

The official printing uses the typography and colours imposed by the competition, which differ between the league and the European Cup. This is what separates an official customisation from an approximation.

A personalised shirt cannot be exchanged: size must be checked before ordering, not after. Some supporters actually prefer a plain shirt, which does not depend on the duration of a player's presence.

Other Ligue 1 clubs

The league isn’t just about Lens, and each club has its own page:

• The LOSC, the neighbour from the northern derby, the most awaited match of the season in the region.
• The Paris Saint-Germain, the most successful club in France, and the Olympique de Marseille, the only French winner of the Champions League.
• The Olympique Lyonnais, AS Monaco, OGC Nice and Stade Rennais, regulars in European spots.
• AS Saint-Étienne, FC Nantes, Girondins de Bordeaux, RC Strasbourg, Toulouse FC, FC Metz, Paris FC and Red Star complete the league.

The Ligue 1 page brings together all the clubs.

Where to find a cheaper RC Lens shirt

The promotions in the supporters' shop gather the current discounted kits, while the new arrivals showcase the collections that have just landed.

The clearance and good deals are available all year round on end-of-line items. The sales come at the legal periods.

The Black Friday kicks off a series of key moments, ahead of the year-end holidays, the winter sales, and the French Days in spring. For shirts, the best time remains when the next collection arrives, as the previous one shifts to end-of-line.

Frequently asked questions

Why does RC Lens play in blood and gold?

The yellow and red come from the coat of arms of Artois, the club's region. These colours have become the nickname of the team it-self, the Sang et Or, and the striped shirt does not resemble any other in the league.

What's the difference between the supporter shirt and the player shirt?

The supporter shirt has a straight and comfortable fit, suitable for wearing over a layer in cold weather. The player shirt follows the on-pitch style, with a body-hugging fit and more technical fabric.

Should I take a size up?

In the supporter version, your usual size works. In the player version, expect to take one size up at minimum, sometimes two if you don’t want a fitted shirt.

Are the shirts available in children's sizes?

Yes, both home and away shirts come in junior sizes. The sizing follows age and height in centimetres rather than adult sizes.

Where to find a cheap RC Lens shirt?

On the promotions in the supporters' shop and in the clearance, which collects end-of-line items when the next collection arrives.