Manchester City’s 2026/27 away shirt revealed: worker bee returns

Manchester City’s 2026/27 away kit has been leaked online for the first time, featuring a black and yellow colour scheme that directly incorporates the city’s worker bee symbol.

The design, chosen by kit manufacturer Puma, blends modern styling with club nostalgia, drawing on a fan-favourite palette. The predominantly black shirt includes a subtle embossed worker bee pattern across the front, reinforcing Manchester’s cultural identity.

This follows the early release of the gradient-styled home kit in May, with the away strip’s public launch expected between late July and early August. Puma’s approach combines heritage with contemporary techniques to broaden the jersey’s appeal beyond the pitch.

The commercial strategy has proven highly profitable in past releases, keeping Manchester City at the forefront of global football merchandise sales. The design team aims to make the jersey viable for both matchday wear and casual streetwear.

First images of the new away kit were shared by Footy Headlines, showing the black base with the embossed worker bee motif. Manchester City’s first-team stars, including Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki, and Phil Foden, are expected to debut the kit during pre-season.

The squad is scheduled to report back for pre-season training from July 20, with the retail rollout tracking for a late July launch. This timing aligns with the club’s three-match pre-season tour of Asia, featuring fixtures against Inter Milan, K-League All Stars XI, and Atletico Madrid.

City fans will likely see the new away kit in action before the official retail release, as pre-season fixtures provide the first public outing for the design.