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In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, British pop superstar Ed Sheeran’s new album Play will take center stage on FC Barcelona’s iconic jersey, replacing the club’s usual Spotify logo for a limited time. The exclusive partnership, announced by the club and streaming giant Spotify, will see Sheeran’s album logo appear on the team’s home kits during two major fixtures — the women’s match against Granada CF on October 19 and the men’s highly anticipated El Clásico clash with Real Madrid.
This partnership marks a historic moment for both the musician and the club. Sheeran becomes the first British male solo pop artist to have his album featured on Barcelona’s kit, joining a short list of global acts including Travis Scott, Coldplay, and Drake who have previously partnered with Spotify and Barça for similar special-edition jerseys.
“Seeing my new album Play on the Barça shirt is one of those moments I can hardly believe,” said the 34-year-old singer, who has been an avid football fan since childhood and supports Ipswich Town. “I’ve loved football my whole life, so bringing my music to such an iconic stage and sharing it with fans everywhere means a lot to me.”
The striking blue and garnet-striped shirts will be worn by some of football’s most recognizable names, including Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí, teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, and Polish striker Robert Lewandowski.
Lewandowski expressed his excitement about the collaboration, saying, “Ed’s songs have been part of our dressing-room playlist for a long time, so seeing his new album on our shirt for El Clásico is really special. Music and football unite fans in powerful ways, and I’m proud to represent that connection on the pitch.”
The limited-edition release will include just 1,899 “match-quality” shirts — a nod to the year FC Barcelona was founded — with an even rarer collection of 22 player-signed jerseys. Sheeran himself will personally autograph 11 of these shirts, making them a collector’s dream for both music and football enthusiasts.
Manel del Río, the club’s general manager, praised the collaboration, saying, “We are very proud to have an artist like Ed Sheeran featured on our shirt. The logo change has become one of the most iconic moments of every season.”
In addition to the match-day kits, the Play logo will also appear on a range of official club merchandise including T-shirts, sweatshirts, and scarves. FC Barcelona and Spotify are also set to release a special edition of the team’s match-day playlist curated by Sheeran himself, blending the worlds of sport and sound in one of football’s biggest stages.
From October 23, fans will also be able to use the Play-branded Barça kit in the eFootball video game, expanding the collaboration into the virtual arena.
Marc Hazan, Spotify’s vice president of partnerships and marketing, summed up the spirit of the initiative: “We’re thrilled to bring a true football fan to such a major moment as El Clásico. Ed’s genuine love for football and his status as one of the world’s biggest artists made putting Play on the Barça shirt a natural choice.”
The collaboration stands as another creative milestone in the ongoing partnership between Spotify and FC Barcelona, bridging global music culture and the passion of football under one iconic crest.
