Full Breakdown
Manchester City’s AI-Designed Third Kit Makes History
8/28/2026, 3:54:32 AM
AI-Designed Third Kit Unveiled
Manchester City and Puma revealed the club’s 2026-27 third kit on Thursday 27 August. The shirt, a white base split by a central two-tone stripe of sky-blue and navy, is the first professional-football kit designed by a fan using generative artificial intelligence. The design was created through Puma’s AI Creator platform, with the winning concept submitted by lifelong supporter and photographer Elliott.
Background & Context
Puma launched the AI Creator tool in December 2024, allowing users to generate kit concepts from written prompts. The platform previously produced a limited-edition goalkeeper kit in 2025, marking the first AI-generated kit worn on the pitch. Building on that milestone, the 2026-27 third kit represents the inaugural instance of a fan-driven AI design being adopted for a club’s on-field apparel.
Data & Statistics
- Design submissions: Over 180,000 unique concepts were entered by supporters from more than 200 countries.
- Voting: Approximately 1.7 million platform ratings narrowed the field to ten finalists, which were then voted on globally in January 2025.
- Material composition: The Authentic jersey uses Puma’s ULTRAWEAVE fabric with at least 50 % recycled material; the Replica version employs RE:FIBRE technology, comprising 95 % recycled polyester sourced from textile waste.
Technical Features
The Authentic kit incorporates Puma’s dryCELL and ThermoAdapt technologies for moisture management and temperature regulation, while the lightweight ULTRAWEAVE construction aims to minimize restriction during elite play. The Replica jersey mirrors the visual design with a casual silhouette suited for everyday wear.
Official Statements & Responses
Nuria Tarre, Chief Marketing and Fan Experience Officer at Manchester City, emphasized that the initiative aligns with the club’s commitment to innovation and deepening its relationship with supporters. Puma also described the third kit as the first fan-and-AI-designed shirt to be worn in a professional league, underscoring the partnership’s pioneering nature.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Elliott
- “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,” — Elliott
- “We're delighted with the result, and we thank all the fans who 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,” — Tarre. While
Impact & Significance
The launch marks a historic first in professional football: a kit conceived by a supporter through AI and adopted for official competition. By merging fan creativity with generative technology, the project showcases a novel model for fan engagement and could influence how clubs approach future kit development, merchandising, and community interaction.
