Manchester City, the sky blue of the Etihad in Puma

From St. Mark's to the Etihad: where City's sky blue comes from

Manchester City was born in 1880 from a parish team, St. Mark's (West Gorton), founded by church members to engage the local youth. Becoming Ardwick in 1887, the club took on the name Manchester City on 16 April 1894, along with the sky blue shirt that has stayed with it ever since. After Maine Road, its stadium from 1923 to 2003, City moved to the stadium built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, now the Etihad Stadium. The nicknames Citizens, Blues, or Sky Blues all refer to this visually distinctive identity.

Other English clubs to discover

All English clubs featured on Goal-Foot can be found on the Premier League page. Neighbouring derby rival Manchester United has its own section, as does the major rival of the last decade, Liverpool FC. Those from London follow with Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, and Tottenham Hotspur FC.

City's Puma shirt: supporter, authentic, prematch

Puma has been dressing Manchester City since 2019 and extended its contract in 2025 for another ten years. The home shirt retains the sky blue, while the away and third kits explore other shades, from white to black, with each update. The supporter version, with a straight cut, is suitable for the stands and everyday wear, while the authentic version adopts the players' fitted cut and lightweight fabric. The prematch shirt, worn during warm-ups before matches, and the zip-collar training top complete the set for those who want to dress like the team before kick-off.

The Citizens and the treble of 2023

Long overshadowed by its neighbour, City has changed dimensions in the 21st century. Champions of England in 1937 and 1968, winners of the Cup Winners' Cup in 1970, the club has since rolled in titles: a total of ten championships, including four in a row from 2021 to 2024, a record in England. The pinnacle came on 10 June 2023 in Istanbul, where a strike from Rodri in the second half brought down Inter and secured the club's first Champions League title, completing a treble with the league and the FA Cup. Colin Bell and Sergio Agüero, retired legends, symbolize the two great eras of the club.

When to buy a Manchester City shirt

A City shirt slips easily under the Christmas tree if you take advantage of Black Friday and the end-of-year holidays. The winter sales then showcase the current kit in the Promos. In spring, French Days come before the final month of Premier League, then the summer sales and the return to training send the previous kits to Clearance.

Frequently asked questions

Can you print a City player's name on your shirt?

Yes, the official printing replicates the competition typography, Premier League or Champions League. Check that the printing corresponds to the correct kit, home, away, or third, as the letter colours change from one to another.

What size Puma shirt should I choose for a ten-year-old child?

The children’s sizes Puma are based on age or in centimetres. A ten-year-old often measures around one hundred and forty centimetres: measure them and choose the corresponding size, or the next one up if they are growing quickly.

What is the difference between a prematch shirt and a match shirt?

The prematch is the top worn by players during warm-ups, before putting on the official kit. Its design differs from the match shirt, it has no sleeve sponsor and is easy to wear for training or around town.

Why is Manchester City called the Citizens?

The nickname simply comes from the word City: the citizens of the city. Supporters also write Cityzens, and the club is often referred to as the Sky Blues, in reference to the sky blue worn since 1894.

Where was City's stadium located before the Etihad?

From 1923 to 2003, City played at Maine Road, in the Moss Side area. The club then moved to the stadium built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, which now has a capacity exceeding sixty-one thousand seats.