Creative Soccer Culture

Olympique Lyonnais and adidas Reveal Silky 2026/27 Away Jersey

Olympique Lyonnais and OL Lyonnes, together with adidas, have unveiled their new away kit for the 2026/27 season, and it’s a tonal masterpiece that feels as much at home in the city as it does in the stands.

Conceived as a celebration of Lyon’s identity, the design of their new away shirt brings together heritage, craftsmanship and contemporary culture, sitting neatly at the intersection of football and lifestyle. What immediately sets this away shirt apart though is its clean tonal colour scheme. It’s not something you see often on the football pitch, where contrast and boldness usually reign supreme, but here it works beautifully. The restrained, tone-on-tone palette gives the jersey a refined confidence, allowing texture and detail to do the talking rather than relying on sharp colour breaks. It’s the kind of shirt you can imagine wearing just as easily off the pitch as on it.

As if the aesthetics weren’t enough, the inspiration behind the design runs deep into Lyon’s history. The jersey draws directly from the city’s storied silk-weaving tradition, a craft that once made Lyon a world capital of textile excellence. Refined patterns and finishes echo the fluidity and sheen of silk, creating a sophisticated aesthetic where every detail feels intentional. There’s a softness to the look, but also strength, reflecting the resilience and precision shared by Lyon’s artisans and the players who wear the badge.

Adidas leans fully into that heritage with subtle detailing throughout. The fabric features a delicate, tone-on-tone pattern that reveals itself gradually, rewarding a closer look. The colour itself is inspired by historical dyes and pigments, notably magenta, grounding the shirt in tradition while still feeling contemporary. It’s a reminder that football kits can tell stories not just about clubs, but about the cities they represent.

A standout detail is the appearance of the iconic adidas Trefoil, featured for the first time on an away shirt this season. Its inclusion signals a clear shift towards a more lifestyle-oriented expression of football design. The Trefoil doesn’t overpower the jersey; instead, it complements the overall aesthetic, reinforcing the idea that this kit is as much about culture and style as it is about performance.

To mark the launch, adidas and both clubs chose to spotlight Lyon’s textile expertise in the most authentic way possible. The photoshoot took place at Maison Prelle, one of the oldest silk houses still operating in the city. A unique, genuine silk piece – featuring the adidas, OL, and OL Lyonnes logos and inspired by the jersey’s design – was created for the occasion, further strengthening the connection between football, craftsmanship and local heritage.

Extending that vision beyond the pitch, the jersey launch is accompanied by a full adidas Originals collection, including a hoodie, track top, pants, t-shirt, adidas Spezial trainers, cap and scarf. Together, they reinforce the idea that this away kit isn’t just something you wear on matchday – it’s part of a broader expression of identity for fans of the club.

Shop the Olympique Lyon 26/27 away shirt and collection at adidas.com

Author
Daniel Jones

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