What is the difference between an authentic and a replica Manchester City jersey?

Authentic match shirts use ultra-lightweight fabrics with a precise fit, designed for players and costing more. Replica shirts prioritize everyday wearability with a roomier fit and materials made for repeated washing, making them better value for casual wear.

How do I find the right size for a Manchester City jersey?

Measure your chest around the fullest part, shoulder width from outer edge to outer edge, and compare the shirt length to a favourite tee. Check our Manchester City jersey sizing guide for men and women to help filter products by size and fit.

How should I care for my Manchester City jersey to keep it looking good?

Wash the jersey inside out in cool water, avoid tumble drying, and hang to dry out of direct sunlight. Never iron directly over printed areas like names or sponsor badges to preserve colour and fabric performance.

What variants of Manchester City jerseys are available on Bash?

You can find authentic match shirts, replica first-team jerseys, training tops, and casual fan shirts. Home, away, and third shirts are available, with options for blank or player-printed versions.

What is the price range for a licensed Manchester City adult replica jersey?

Licensed adult replica jerseys typically sell between R800 and R2 500, depending on whether it's a replica, authentic match version, or special edition. These are estimates and model-to-model differences apply.

Manchester City jersey - 2025/26 kits explained: home, away, third and buying tips

A practical breakdown of the Manchester City 2025/26 home, away and third shirts. Learn the authentic vs replica differences, sizing advice and buying checklist.

Published:June 12, 2026

Updated:September 7, 2026

5 min read

Photo by Siddhesh Sawant on Unsplash

Sources

PUMA media release - 2025/26 Home kit announcement
Manchester City - Third kit launch and club details
Soccer.com - Authentic vs Replica: key differences and buying guide
Goal - Coverage of Man City 25/26 kit releases and dates

Why this season matters for the Manchester City jersey

We look at the 2025/26 Manchester City kits from a materials, fit and buying perspective so you can choose the right shirt for match days, training or everyday wear. This season the home kit reintroduces a sash in a modern way, the away runs darker and minimalist, and the third explores bolder visuals - all designed and manufactured by PUMA. For readers who want to shop, we point to relevant categories on Bash as helpful next steps.

Quick design notes

Home: Team light blue with a sash detail remixed for 25/26, cleaner collar and subtle texture on the fabric.
Away: Dark, tonal or black-focused top - simplified for street-friendly wear as well as pitch use.
Third: A statement shirt inspired by local climate motifs and creative visuals; it’s the most polarising among supporters.

Materials and construction - what to expect

Across authentic and replica tiers PUMA uses polyester blends with performance finishes, but construction and fabric weight differ. Authentic shirts target players: lighter, more ventilated, and with performance panels. Replica shirts prioritize durability and everyday comfort with slightly heavier knit and fewer technical inserts.

Authentic vs replica - practical differences we care about

When we help customers decide, these are the reliable differences we test in person:

Fit: Authentic = tailored athletic fit (narrower body and sleeves); Replica = regular fit, easier for layering and casual wear.
Fabric: Authentic = ultra-light, micro-perforations or mesh zones; Replica = denser knit, often with printed texture rather than woven detail.
Badges and printing: Authentic shirts typically have heat-transferred badges and printed sponsors tuned for match use; replicas use stitched-look badges and more robust screen print suited to many washes.
Price: Expect a significant gap - authentic variants sell at a premium while replicas are more wallet-friendly. In South Africa we commonly see replica price bands starting around R700-R1 200 and authentic pieces from roughly R1 800-R3 000 depending on model and player customisation (estimates, retail may vary).

Sizing tips from our experience

If you like a true match fit, go for your measured size in authentic shirts - they sit closer to the chest and shoulders. For a relaxed, everyday look (or for layering over a long-sleeve top), choose the replica and consider one size up if you’re between sizes. If you plan to personalise with a name and number, allow a little extra room so the print doesn’t feel stiff against the body.

For browsing related options and comparisons, we often point customers to our broader brand and men’s collections - for example, explore Brands (shop) or Men (shop) on Bash to compare cuts and materials from multiple sportswear suppliers. Brands and Men are useful starting points.

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How the 25/26 home, away and third shirts differ technically

We break the main technical distinctions down so you can match the shirt to how you’ll use it.

Home (performance-led style)

The home shirt’s sash detail is a stylistic change this season, but from a performance view the authentic variant has targeted ventilation and a lighter hand - ideal for warm-match days or training. The replica keeps the graphic but trades some of the ultra-light elements for robustness.

Away (versatile, street-ready)

The away choice this year works well off the pitch thanks to a toned-down palette. Replicas here are often favoured by fans who wear the jersey casually; the authentic is better if you want the closest feel to the players’ kit.

Third (statement piece and collector interest)

Third shirts are where brands experiment. If you value uniqueness or a collector’s item, look for limited authentic runs or special editions (those usually command higher prices). If you simply want the look for match day, a replica will often provide the visual impact at lower cost.

Consideration: If you live in a coastal or high-UV area, the lighter performance fabrics used in authentic shirts can fade faster if left in direct sun frequently. Wash and dry on gentle cycles and avoid prolonged sun exposure to preserve colours and printed elements.

Buying checklist - what we check before buying

Confirm whether the listing is labelled “Authentic/Player” or “Replica/Club”.
Check available sizes against a size chart - authentic fits narrow, replicas run true-to-size or slightly generous.
Decide if you want official club customisation (name/number), which usually adds R200-R500 (estimate).
Look for official retail sources or authorised sellers to avoid counterfeit issues; authentic product pages and press releases from PUMA and Manchester City are reliable confirmations.

If you’re comparing garments from multiple brands or need match-day layering, our home/travel categories can help with base layers and protective items - for travel-friendly storage check Travel items on Bash.

Where to buy and what to expect on price

Official club stores and PUMA pages are the primary sources for authentic shirts; local retail and multi-brand marketplaces supply replicas and sometimes authorised authentic stock. In South Africa we typically see replica shirts available in a R700-R1 200 band, while authentic shirts commonly fall in the R1 800-R3 000 range (these are approximate retail ranges and will vary by seller, size and customisation).

We hope this breakdown helps you pick the Manchester City jersey that fits how you live - whether that’s cheering on match day, training, or wearing the shirt around town. If you want to compare related items like base layers or storage for travel, check our Travel and Brands pages above to continue exploring.

Last updated: September 7, 2026

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Manchester City jersey - 2025/26 kits explained: home, away, third and buying tips

Sources

Why Choose Bash?

Free Delivery

30-Day Returns

Nationwide Support

Why Choose Bash?

Free Delivery

30-Day Returns

Nationwide Support

Authentic vs Replica

Seasonal design notes

Buying checklist

Why this season matters for the Manchester City jersey

Quick design notes

Materials and construction - what to expect

Authentic vs replica - practical differences we care about

Sizing tips from our experience

How the 25/26 home, away and third shirts differ technically

Home (performance-led style)

Away (versatile, street-ready)

Third (statement piece and collector interest)

Buying checklist - what we check before buying

Where to buy and what to expect on price

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