European Clubs Embrace Lunar New Year with Unique Kits
As the world gears up to celebrate the 2025 Lunar New Year, several top European football clubs have joined in the festivities by unveiling special commemorative kits. While this tradition isn’t as widespread as it has been in previous years, it still holds a special place in the hearts of fans and players alike. According to the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar, the Lunar New Year begins on January 29, ushering in the Year of the Snake.
Among the clubs participating in this celebration, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) stands out as the only major European side to actually play in their Lunar New Year kit this weekend. The Ligue 1 giants donned a designer shirt before facing Reims at the Parc des Princes. The front of PSG’s home jersey remained untouched, but the back panel was reimagined in collaboration with designer Jay Chou and his Phantaci streetwear label. This unique “Year of the Snake” typeface saw all the players’ names written in Mandarin script, adding a touch of cultural flair to the match.
Meanwhile, Barcelona has confirmed that both their men’s and women’s teams will be sporting unique pre-match Lunar New Year kits when they face Alaves and Levante, respectively, next weekend. These shirts will also feature the players’ names written in Chinese on the back, further embracing the spirit of the celebration.
Over in the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur joined the festivities by wearing a limited edition pre-match shirt. This design included a golden serpent slithering up a column of Chinese-inspired tiles. However, the shirt didn’t bring the good fortune they hoped for, as Spurs suffered their fourth consecutive league defeat, losing 2-1 at home to Leicester City.
Other clubs also got in on the action:
- Chelsea sported a Lunar New Year pre-match shirt for their trip to face Manchester City at the Etihad. The Blues warmed up in a scaly black and gold design.
- Manchester City, known for marking the Lunar New Year with special kits in recent years, opted for a pre-match show instead. Fans were treated to martial arts displays and a traditional dragon dance on the pitch.
- Manchester United released a Lunar New Year jersey in mid-December, but it was not worn during their 1-0 win at Fulham on Sunday.
One club that deserves a special mention is Championship side Sheffield United. They went above and beyond with their own tribute to the Year of the Snake, creating a Lunar New Year kit so garish and ornamental that it’s difficult to look at for more than a few minutes without inducing a migraine. It’s safe to say that this one can slither back where it came from.
As the Year of the Snake approaches, these unique kits and celebrations highlight the global nature of football and its ability to bring cultures together. Whether through special jerseys or pre-match festivities, clubs across Europe are embracing the Lunar New Year in their own distinctive ways, adding a touch of cultural diversity to the beautiful game.
Originally Written by: Chris Wright
