Puma or Atomik? Independiente’s brand change case for 2026

On December 31, the club’s contract with Puma, its technical sponsor since 2009, will expire. The alternatives for 2026 are a renewal with the German brand or a deal with Atomik, a domestic company.

Atomik offered a total contract worth 8.5 million dollars over six years, with $3 million paid upon signing and another $1.1 million per year, plus 5% in royalties for the club. At first, this option appeared to be the strongest among Independiente’s board members.

Last Tuesday, a group of fans gathered at the club’s headquarters to protest the possible arrival of Atomik and to demand Puma’s continuity.

Independiente issued an official statement clarifying that “Atomik’s offer outweighs Puma’s renewal. Negotiations are ongoing, and Puma still has the chance to improve its latest proposal.”

Atomik entered the football market in January 2025 as San Lorenzo’s technical sponsor and has since released three jersey models for the “Ciclón.” According to its football manager, Luis Britos, Atomik is now the second-best-selling brand, behind Adidas with Boca Juniors and River Plate.

Regarding the possibility of outfitting Independiente, Britos told Marca en Zona: “We understand it is a very turbulent political moment for the club, and everyone can have their brand preferences. The issue seems to come from replacing an international brand with a national one. We have even received threats, but we believe this is a path that must be taken.”