Swiss Brand On to Enter Football Kit Market Following Kylian Mbappé Signing
- On's Expansion into Football: Swiss sportswear brand On is entering the football kit market, expanding beyond footwear, following the high-profile signing of Kylian Mbappé from Nike.
- Product Launch Timeline: On plans to debut its first football boots in 2027, leveraging LightSpray robotic technology, with football kits, teamwear, and training apparel to follow immediately after the footwear rollout.
- Strategic Leadership and Partnerships: Thierry Henry has been appointed Director of Football to lead this initiative, and Mbappé's long-term agreement includes equity in On, mirroring their successful strategy with Roger Federer in tennis.
Following the monumental news that Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé has parted ways with Nike to join On, the Swiss sportswear brand's long-term roadmap for football has been revealed. According to a report from the Financial Times, On has set its sights far beyond footwear and is preparing to enter the football kit market.
On Football: Boots First, Kits to Follow
The Zurich-based brand plans to debut its first football boots in 2027, powered by its proprietary LightSpray automated robotic technology to engineer ultra-lightweight, seamless uppers. Immediately following the footwear rollout, On intends to expand directly into developing football kits, followed by teamwear, training apparel, and football-inspired lifestyle collections.
To lead the project, On appointed Arsenal and France icon Thierry Henry as its Director of Football, who worked behind the scenes to help structure the strategy and convince Mbappé to join. Much like On's landmark partnership with Roger Federer in tennis, Mbappé's deal is a long-term agreement that includes equity in the company, positioning On to challenge the traditional football dominance of Nike, Adidas, and Puma.