Manchester City to release special edition ‘horse graphic’ kit in 2026 | OneFootball

Kit designers at Manchester City and Puma are expected to release a special edition Lunar New Year shirt in 2026, aligned with the Year of the Horse.

In recent years, City have leaned heavily into global collaborations to expand their brand identity, with Puma playing a leading role in producing limited-edition shirts tied to cultural events.

One of the standout examples came in 2024 when the Etihad side unveiled a ‘Year of the Dragon’ collection, generating strong sales both in Asia and among shirt collectors throughout Europe. Similar moves, such as City’s EA Sports tie-ins, have further highlighted the club’s ability to merge football with wider cultural and entertainment industries.

These releases are rarely just about on-field kits and tend to include entire collections, giving fans a broader way to engage with the club, and that commercial strategy has become increasingly significant, particularly as City look to rival traditional European heavyweights in global shirt sales.

The Lunar New Year series, in particular, has become a staple of the club’s merchandising calendar. Much like the earlier Dragon-themed release, the 2026 collection is expected to highlight artistry and traditional design cues while also being made available to fans worldwide.

According to the information of Footy Headlines, City are expected to release a special edition ‘Year of the Horse’ kit in early 2026, designed and created by Puma to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

In terms of design features, it has been revealed that the kit will feature a beige base with a ‘horse graphic’ inspired by traditional Chinese ink wash paintings, along with black detailing for the crest, sponsor, and Puma logo.

The special edition shirt will also form part of a wider collection that includes training wear, pre-match items, and lifestyle apparel, following on from a successful run of Lunar New Year collections from City and Puma – particularly their release around the Year of the Dragon.

Further details on the design and specific launch date for the Manchester City’s 2026 ‘Year of the Horse’ kit are expected to emerge closer to late 2025, according to report.

Looking ahead, one key question is whether the shirt will see any on-pitch action. Previous Lunar New Year collections were primarily marketed as off-field lifestyle items, though City could decide to debut the 2026 edition – perhaps simply in pre-match warm-up routines.

For collectors, the horse-themed design is likely to become one of the most sought-after pieces in the club’s latest range of shirts, particularly if it remains a strictly limited release.

With the success of Manchester City’s Dragon-themed kit already driving resale market prices, anticipation around this drop in the new year will only continue to build as we move closer to 2026.