Manchester City and PUMA have unveiled the club’s 2026/27 Third Kit, the first professional football kit designed by a fan using AI to be worn on the pitch and sold commercially. The shirt was created through PUMA AI Creator, a custom generative AI platform developed with DEEPOBJECTS that converts written prompts into football kit concepts within seconds.

PUMA AI Creator launched in December 2024, giving Manchester City supporters access to text prompting, customization tools, and intuitive sliders without requiring previous design experience. Participants initially received 15 free Design Credits and two competition entries, with additional credits and entries available by rating other designs or through Cityzens or PUMA NFT Holder status.

Supporters from more than 200 countries created over 180,000 unique shirts during the competition. The platform ultimately generated 1.7 million fan ratings, which helped PUMA and Manchester City narrow the submissions to 10 finalists. Those designs advanced to a global fan vote in January 2025 to determine which shirt would become City’s official Third Kit for the 2026/27 season.

The winning design was created by lifelong Manchester City supporter Elliott Lacey, who developed his concept using PUMA AI Creator during his lunch break. The finished shirt features a white base with a central two-tone sash, split between sky blue and navy, running the length of the jersey with a subtle gradient effect that changes as it catches the light.

Lacey said he had followed Manchester City throughout his life and had long been interested in football shirts and design, but had not expected a concept created through the AI platform to become an official club kit. He was later invited to the team’s kit photography shoot, where he saw Manchester City players wearing his design for the first time.

The initiative began on December 9, 2024, when Manchester City and PUMA opened PUMA AI Creator to supporters. Fans were able to submit designs through December 20 before fan ratings and evaluations by PUMA and Manchester City kit experts were used to determine the 10 finalists.

“PUMA AI Creator represents a genuinely 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.” – Dominique Gathier, Vice President Teamsport, PUMA

Nuria Tarre, Chief Marketing and Fan Experience Officer for City Football Group, said at the original launch that AI was being used to give supporters the opportunity to participate directly in Manchester City history by potentially designing a shirt that would eventually be worn by the club’s players. She also described football kits as an important connection between Manchester City and its global fan base.

PUMA AI Creator had already been tested by Manchester City players Ederson, Stefan Ortega, and Rico Lewis, who used the technology to design a bespoke goalkeeper kit inspired by the net of a football goal. That limited-edition shirt subsequently became the first AI-created football kit to be manufactured and worn on the pitch, appearing during Manchester City’s men’s match against Chelsea in January 2025.

The fan-designed Third Kit extends the concept from player participation to global supporter participation, with the winning product moving through the full process from AI-generated concept and fan voting to manufacturing, player use, and worldwide retail distribution.

PUMA has also begun expanding AI Creator beyond Manchester City. In January 2026, the company introduced another version of the platform with Olympique de Marseille, inviting supporters to design the French club’s official Third Kit for the 2027/28 season. PUMA said the updated platform includes enhanced generative AI capabilities and refined creative outputs, again in partnership with DEEPOBJECTS.

The Manchester City Authentic Third Jersey is manufactured using PUMA’s ULTRAWEAVE fabric and incorporates dryCELL and ThermoAdapt technologies for moisture and body-heat management. The Authentic jersey contains at least 50% recycled material. The Replica version uses PUMA’s RE technology and is made with 95% recycled polyester sourced from textile waste.

The 2026/27 Manchester City Third Kit went on sale August 27, 2026, through Manchester City, PUMA, and selected retail partners worldwide. Manchester City Members and Seasoncard holders receive a 10% discount through the club’s official retail channels.

Designed by one of us, chosen by all of us: City and PUMA launch 2026/27 Third kit

We can now reveal our 2026/27 PUMA Third Kit!

Man CityMan City Editorial