Manchester City Fans Can Design the 2026-27 Third Kit Using AI
It’s not exactly the most wonderful time of the year for Manchester City fans. The reigning Premier League champions are currently stuck in a rut of draws and losses, a slump that feels almost alien in the Pep Guardiola era. But while the team struggles to find its rhythm on the pitch, the club is giving fans something to cheer about off it. In collaboration with Puma, Manchester City has launched a unique contest that allows fans to design the club’s 2026-27 third kit using a text-to-image AI generator.
Now, before you roll your eyes and think, “Is this just a clever way for Puma and City to crowdsource their work while promoting an AI partnership?”—well, maybe. But let’s not overlook the fun factor here. Just take a look at what City stars like Éderson, Stefan Ortega, and Rico Lewis have already whipped up using the AI tool. Spoiler alert: Éderson’s goalkeeper kit features—you guessed it—a net. Groundbreaking, right?
How Does the AI Kit Generator Work?
The AI generator, developed in partnership with DeepObjects, is described as “the first truly decentralized design studio.” While the specifics of how the tool was trained remain unclear, users are required to agree to terms that allow Puma and City to tweak their designs. This likely ensures that any copyright issues are resolved and that the final kits meet professional standards, including legible sponsor logos and badges.
Fans can get creative by entering text prompts into the generator, which then produces up to four variations of a design based on the input. You can customize everything from pattern size and colors to collar types and badge details. Each user starts with 15 Design Credits, with one credit used per text prompt. Want more credits? You can earn them by reviewing other fans’ designs, which also increases your chances of perfecting your masterpiece.
What’s the Catch?
While the tool offers plenty of room for creativity, it’s not without its quirks. For instance, attempts to create a kit inspired by the final scene of Martin Scorsese’s The Departed reportedly resulted in designs resembling Gilded Age candlelit dinners. Similarly, a prompt for a pattern inspired by Morning Glory-era Liam Gallagher returned kits featuring cartoon women in headscarves instead of the expected bucket hats and anoraks. Clearly, the AI has its own interpretation of “artistic vision.”
And let’s not forget the potential for cheeky submissions. Some fans have already tried sneaking in references to Manchester City’s financial charges brought by the Premier League. Unsurprisingly, it’s safe to assume those designs won’t make the final cut.
How to Enter the Contest
Here’s a quick breakdown of how you can participate:
- Visit the Puma AI Creator website and register for an account.
- Use your 15 Design Credits to create and refine your kit designs.
- Submit up to two official entries into the competition (you can increase this number by reviewing other designs).
Once all entries are in, a shortlist of the top designs will be created through a combination of fan reviews and input from Manchester City and Puma’s kit experts. The final 10 designs will then be put to a public vote in January 2025, with the winning kit set to debut on the pitch during the 2026-27 season.
When Does the Contest End?
Fans have until December 20, 2024, to submit their designs. After that, the public voting phase will kick off in January 2025. So, if you’ve ever dreamed of seeing your design worn by the likes of Erling Haaland or Jack Grealish, now’s your chance to make it happen.
What’s the Big Picture?
According to Ivan Dashkov, Puma’s Head of Emerging Marketing Tech, the kit creator is a way of “bringing fans closer to the game they love” through emerging technology. While that may sound like corporate speak, there’s no denying the appeal of having a tangible connection to your favorite club. And let’s be honest—most fans will be happy as long as the final design doesn’t feature AI’s infamous “extra fingers” problem.
So, Cityzens, what are you waiting for? Fire up your creativity, channel your inner designer, and maybe—just maybe—your kit will be the one gracing the Etihad Stadium in a couple of years. Just don’t forget to steer clear of any overly controversial prompts. After all, this is about celebrating the beautiful game, not stirring the pot.
Originally Written by: Gab Marcotti
