The first velvet football jersey belongs to Leipzig

In 2024, a year full of exciting releases in the world of football jerseys, Leipzig stands out with a bold and innovative choice, almost with arrogance and courage. The Red Bull Group, after already impressing with Leipzig's stunning kits and, above all, Salzburg’s designs this season, introduces a revolutionary material: velvet. Never before had a team used this fabric to create an entire football jersey, previously limiting its use to details and finishes, such as logos or emblems. One example is the Royal Edition of AIK Stockholm, where blue velvet, rarely seen in football, added a touch of elegance to the kit. However, in Leipzig's case, velvet takes center stage, bringing football jersey design into a new aesthetic dimension. This is not a first for PUMA, though, as they had already experimented with velvet in 2012 for a fan jersey for the Irish national rugby team.

Leipzig showcased the new jersey during a heavy 1-5 home defeat against Wolfsburg. Naturally, the velvet fan jersey was not used on the pitch, but rather a performance version made of technical material, as per PUMA standards. The jersey was launched during the Christmas holidays, expanding the now well-established tradition of Christmas celebratory jerseys, involving different clubs each year. The kit, already sold out, was produced in a limited edition of only 2009 units, a clear reference to the club’s founding year. The launch also included a special box: packaging resembling a cookie tin, containing not only the jersey but also two cans of Red Bull, further emphasizing the identity of the club and the group supporting it.