ORIGIN STORY: PUMA & MANCHESTER CITY LAUNCH THE
25/26 AWAY KIT INSPIRED BY THE CLUB’S OLDEST-KNOWN KIT
PUMA & MANCHESTER CITY LAUNCH THE 25/26 AWAY KIT
Cape Town, South Africa, 18 July 2025 — Global sports company PUMA and Manchester
City have launched the brand-new Away kit for the 25/26 season, a tribute to the early Cityzens,
reimagined with a nod to the Club’s innovative spirit. The all-black design takes inspiration from
the Club’s oldest-known kit, combined with metallic details to celebrate the timeless essence of
Manchester City.
Manchester City’s earliest known kit dates to 1884, when the football Club was based in Gorton.
The iconic kit – a symbol of Manchester City’s legacy – is brought to life with a slick new design
that honours the Club’s origins.
The design merges classic and contemporary, with the stylish all-black look taking inspiration
from the historic kit, complemented by a traditional collar with a white trim. The metallic crest
and silver details add a unique contrast to the black base, giving the kit a stunning aesthetic and
creating a truly special Away jersey.
Marco Mueller, PUMA’s Senior Director of Product Line Management Performance Apparel,
said: “Reimagining Manchester City’s oldest-known kit was a special honour for us, not many
people would know that black was the original colour of the Club, and we love to celebrate the
culture and identity of our Clubs and what sets them apart. Being able to bring an all-black kit
was exciting and gave us the opportunity to do something new with the Away jersey. Another
first is that this is the first time PUMA has ever shot a campaign fully in black and white which
really ties in beautifully to the design of the kit.”
Nuria Tarre, Chief Marketing & Fan Experience Officer for City Football Group said: “We are
delighted to unveil this season’s Away kit to fans for the first time – a powerful tribute to our
earliest-known kit, when the Club was based in Gorton, Manchester. The striking all-black
design is a fresh take on a traditional kit with a sleek, contemporary edge.”
“Our fans have always had a deep appreciation for kits that honour the Club’s history, and this
kit does exactly that. It’s a bold expression of our identity that we hope will soon become a
favourite amongst our passionate fanbase.”
Dr Gary James, Manchester football historian, commented: “It’s fantastic to see Manchester City
reference the earliest-known kit in the Club’s history in the new Away kit for the 2025/26 season.
The black shirt design is a respectful nod to City’s early years, a significant symbol of the Club’s
origin story, and it is fitting to see that legacy honoured through a modern interpretation that
reminds us all how far we’ve come.”
The jersey is available in both Authentic and Replica versions. The Authentic Jersey, worn by
the players, is crafted with PUMA’s ULTRAWEAVE fabric, which reduces weight and friction for
elite-level performance. The Replica Jersey offers the same striking look with a more relaxed fit,
perfect for both match days and everyday wear. Both versions incorporate PUMA’s dryCELL
sweat-wicking technology to keep fans and players dry and comfortable.
Reflecting PUMA’s commitment to sustainability, the Replica jerseys are made using the
RE:FIBRE initiative, utilizing recycled textile waste to create new materials without
compromising quality. Containing at least 95% recycled textile waste and other used polyester
materials, this initiative represents a significant step towards a more circular and sustainable
production process for football jerseys.
The new Manchester City Away kit will make its debut on pitch when Manchester City play
Palermo at the Renzo Barbera Stadium on Saturday 9 August in a preseason friendly.
The 25/26 Manchester City Away kit is available from 18 July atPUMA.com, PUMA retails
stores, Sportsmans Warehouse, Totalsports, Takealot and Studio 88. Price R1 399.
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