SC Paderborn 07 staged a deliberate leak of a supposed new home jersey on Friday, only to unveil the official design shortly after. The stunt, coordinated by the club together with the city magazine Hashtag33, sparked a wave of reactions on social media and among supporters.

What was the alleged leak?

Employees of Hashtag33 displayed a bright, overly patterned jersey at the Paderborn weekly market the night before the official launch. Photos and short videos spread quickly on Instagram, Twitter and local news outlets. Many fans assumed it was a genuine leak because the design deviated sharply from the club’s traditional colours.

Why did the club pull the prank?

Gerrit Denzer, the club’s commercial director, had already hinted at a "nice surprise" without giving details. In a later statement the club explained that the whole thing was a deliberate counter‑move to the frequent accidental leaks. "We wanted to show we can control our communication," he said. The stunt generated debate and amplified attention for the real jersey.

How does the official home kit look?

Only a day after the prank, former professional Marvin Bakalorz and U21 striker Julius Bugenhagen presented the genuine home kit. The new design is mainly black with blue accents and features the embroidered Three‑Hares window – a city emblem. The collar bears the proverb "Der Hase und der Löffel drei, und doch hat jeder Hase zwei." The left sleeve displays the Bundesliga logo, reflecting Paderborn’s return to the league. The jersey will initially be sold in a strictly limited special edition.

What does this mean for the current season?

The fresh kit arrives at a pivotal moment: SC Paderborn 07 currently sits 3rd in the 2. Bundesliga with 62 points, a record of 18 wins, 8 draws and 8 losses from 34 games. The side has scored 59 goals and conceded 45 (+14 goal difference). They are 8 points behind leaders FC Schalke 04. The latest result was a 2‑1 victory over VfL Wolfsburg on 25 May 2026, and the recent five‑match form reads WWDDW, with a two‑game winning streak. The new jersey aims to energise fans as the team pushes for promotion.

What’s next for the supporters?

The club plans to sell the limited jersey through its official online shop and at the stadium. Additional special editions for anniversaries and regional events are also in the pipeline. The positive reaction to the prank shows that creative marketing ideas resonate with the fan base. In the weeks ahead, the squad will continue scouting reinforcements to sustain the chase in the title race.