Chelsea Football Club has officially kicked off the Lunar New Year celebrations with the release of their limited edition 2026 Year of the Horse pre-match shirt. Fusing high-fashion streetwear with deep club heritage, this Nike-designed top is set to be worn by the Blues during warm-ups for select fixtures in February 2026.
Chelsea Year Of The Horse 2026 Pre Match Shirt
Chelsea Year Of The Horse 2026 Pre Match Shirt
Here is a breakdown of the design details that make this release a must-have for collectors and fans alike.
A Design Steeped in History and Myth
Chelsea Year Of The Horse 2026 Pre Match Shirt
At first glance, the shirt stands out with its crisp white base and vibrant “Eton Blue” graphics—a minty, teal hue that traces its roots back to the racing colors of Earl Cadogan, the club’s first president in 1905.
Chelsea Year Of The Horse 2026 Pre Match Shirt
The shirt features a stunning, wraparound illustration executed in a traditional Chinese art style. The dynamic graphic depicts a powerful lion (representing Chelsea) and a galloping horse facing one another amongst stylized clouds. This imagery symbolizes the meeting of Western football tradition and Eastern cultural heritage, with the horse representing strength, momentum, and endurance for the year ahead.
Key Features
• Chinese Calligraphy: The back of the neck features a red seal stamp with the Chinese character “車” (Che). This is a clever double entendre: it is the character for “chariot” or “car” (often used to represent the “Che” in Chelsea phonetically in Mandarin) and a key piece in Chinese Chess.
• Sponsor Integration: The men’s version features the BingX logo across the chest, while the women’s team edition showcases the Three logo, integrating the club’s current partners into the special edition design.
Chelsea Year Of The Horse 2026 Pre Match Shirt
• Performance Tech: Built with Nike’s moisture-wicking Dri-FIT technology, the shirt is designed for elite performance on the pitch but styled for the street.
• Detailing: A black Nike Swoosh and a monochrome Chelsea lion crest complete the modern, clean look.
Availability
As a limited edition release, this pre-match top is expected to sell out quickly. It serves as a stylish bridge between the club’s London roots and its global fanbase, making it a unique piece of memorabilia for the 2025/26 season.
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