December 9 – Global sportswear brand Puma and Manchester City have unveiled an innovative AI-powered kit design platform, giving fans the unprecedented chance to design the club’s official Third kit for the 2026/27 season.
The initiative is a first in professional football, combining technology with fan engagement to create a product rooted in its target selling audience.
The new Puma AI Creator tool, powered by Deepobjects, a generative AI platform, works through text prompts, customisation tools, and intuitive sliders.
The winning design will not only be worn by Manchester City players on the pitch but also made available for fans to purchase.
Fans can access the platform by signing up to receive 15 free Design Credits and two Entries. Additional credits and entries can be unlocked by rating other designs or registering as Cityzens or Puma NFT holders.
Submissions are open until December 20, after which Puma and the club will select ten finalists based on fan ratings and design quality. Public voting on the final designs will begin in January, forthe kit that will represent the club in the 2026/27 season.
“PUMA AI Creator is one of the ways we see emerging technology bringing fans closer to the game they love,” said Ivan Dashkov, Head of Emerging Marketing Tech at Puma.
“As Manchester City continues to be one of the most successful football clubs globally, both on and off the pitch, and they have been the perfect partner for PUMA to work with to introduce this groundbreaking AI platform… PUMA AI Creator is a creative outlet that anyone can use – regardless of their past design experience, location, or background – to make a huge cultural impact.”
Nuria Tarre, Chief Marketing & Fan Experience Officer for City Football Group added: “Each City kit plays a fundamental role in connecting fans around the world to our club and we’re excited to see how they engage with this truly unique initiative.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734935102labto1734935102ofdlr1734935102owedi1734935102sni@g1734935102niwe.1734935102yrrah1734935102