Manchester City and Puma turn to fan-made AI for next jersey
In a groundbreaking move, Manchester City is inviting fans to design its 2026-27 third kit using an AI-powered tool created in partnership with Puma.
Manchester City is giving fans a unique chance to shape the team’s future look. The club, in collaboration with Puma and AI company DeepObjects, has launched a competition allowing supporters to design its official third kit for the 2026-27 season. Using the Puma AI Creator tool, fans can generate and customise jersey designs with styles like ‘abstract’ and ‘dream visions.’ The winning uniform will not only be worn by players but also sold to fans.
Participants must create an account and use 15 credits provided to craft their designs, though only two entries can be submitted for the contest, which ends on 20 December. A combination of fan votes and input from Manchester City and Puma experts will determine the winning kit. The competition follows an earlier initiative where City players used the AI tool to design a goalkeeper kit, reportedly inspired by the net of a soccer goal.
The move represents the first AI-generated soccer uniform to grace the pitch, marking an innovative step in the sport’s use of technology. Despite the excitement, Manchester City faces external challenges, including a Premier League financial investigation, adding complexity to its current moment in the spotlight. The fan-designed AI project, however, offers a creative distraction and a glimpse into the future of sports design.
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