Cape Town, South Africa, 27 August 2026 – Global sports brand PUMA and Manchester City reveal the Club’s 26/27 Third Kit and – for the first time in professional football – fans were given the power to design a kit using AI, with the winning fan-created design revealed as the official third kit.
The 26/27 Third Kit was created using PUMA AI Creator, a custom generative AI tool that turns written prompts into kit designs within seconds. Launched in December 2024, the AI Creator put tangible creative influence into the hands of fans through prompts and intuitive editing tools, with no design experience required. Cityzens from over 200 countries brought forward their vision for the kit, resulting in over 180,000 unique shirts.
The initiative opened up the creative process like never before, using AI to give supporters the tools to turn their own ideas into potential City kits, from modern takes on retro designs to bold, unconventional concepts.
Following 1.7 million platform ratings, the most popular kits were shortlisted to the final 10, which went to fan vote. With votes having been submitted by the Club’s global fanbase, the winner was crowned: a white base split by a central two-tone sash, half sky blue, half navy, running the length of the shirt with a subtle gradient effect that shifts as it catches the light. It may be a third kit, but it is the first of its kind – designed by one of us, chosen by all of us.
Dominique Gathier, Vice President Teamsport, PUMA, said: “PUMA AI Creator represents a new way of thinking about how football kits are made and who gets to shape them. The volume of entries we received speaks to the strength of the Manchester City fanbase, and the design that came through reflects that. This is a project that sits at the intersection of technology, football, and community and we are proud to have been able to bring it to life.”
Behind the winning kit was lifelong City fan Elliott, who spoke about his excitement at finding out his design was the winning kit: “City has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, so to have designed a kit that will now be worn by the players is a genuine honour.
“I’ve always loved football shirts and design, and I created mine using PUMA AI Creator on my lunch break, never imagining it could actually become a City kit. The whole experience has been incredible, from seeing people react to the design, to seeing it on the players for the first time when I was invited to the kit shoot. It still feels surreal to know I’ve played a small part in the Club’s history, and I hope it becomes a kit that City fans love and look back on for years to come.”
Speaking on the initiative, Nuria Tarre, Chief Marketing and Fan Experience Officer, Manchester City added:“The relationship between the Club and our fans is at the core of everything we do, and innovation is at the heart of our partnership with PUMA. To be able to give fans the unique opportunity to be designers for a day and create one of our on-pitch kits this season, using the power of AI, is an extension of the deep connection that we have with our global fanbase.
“We’re delighted with the result, and we thank all the fans that submitted creative kit designs and voted for the winner – it’s the first of its kind, and we look forward to seeing it worn by our players and fans around the world.”
While being professional football’s first fan-designed AI kit to be worn by players on the pitch and sold to supporters, the 26/27 Third Kit marks the latest step in the Club and PUMA’s drive to push the boundaries of football kit innovation. In 2025, a limited-edition goalkeeper kit that was designed by City players with PUMA AI Creator, appeared on pitch in a first for world football.
The Authentic jersey is constructed with PUMA’s ULTRAWEAVE fabric – ultra-lightweight and precision-woven for unrestricted movement and distraction-free performance at elite level. dryCELL and ThermoAdapt technologies work together to manage sweat and regulate body heat throughout, and the jersey is made with at least 50% recycled material.
The Replica jersey brings the same identity to the terraces and the streets, pairing the match-worn aesthetic with a casual silhouette built for game day and everyday wear, and made using RE:FIBRE technology – 95% recycled polyester sourced from textile waste. The Authentic player jersey (R2499) and the official Replica jersey (R1499 for adult and R1199 for junior sizes) are available from 27 August at PUMA.com, PUMA Retail stores, Totalsports, Sportsmans Warehouse, Studio 88 and Takealot.
