As has become customary in recent years, Spotify and FC Barcelona are back with another jersey takeover, and their seventh edition features Ed Sheeran, marking the first time a solo male pop artist has fronted the shirt. 

The collaboration commemorates Ed Sheeran’s eighth studio album release, Play. Rooted in joy and inspired by the stories Ed has encountered around the world, the spirit of exploring different cultures and connecting with different communities naturally aligns with FC Barcelona’s global footprint. By placing Play at the front of the jersey, the collaboration shines a light on music’s ability to transcend borders and bring people together.

FC Barcelona’s identity has long been rooted in youth and an expressive style of play, shaped by the generations of talent that have emerged from the infamous La Masia academy. This expression, coupled with Ed Sheeran’s personal love for football, anchors the partnership in something real – a shared belief that creativity, community, and play can move people, both on and off the field.

The jersey takeovers have become a bi-annual franchise, with Spotify continuing to platform artists during El Clásico matches against Real Madrid, with the jersey featuring the names of superstars such as Drake, Rosalía, The Rolling Stones, KAROL G, Coldplay and Travis Scott. The cultural significance of these collaborations is rooted in the crossover of football, fashion, and music – a topic we dove into following the most recent collaboration between FC Barcelona and Travis Scott, which you can read here. 

The latest version of the iconic blaugrana jersey featuring Ed Sheeran’s new album Play will debut during FC Barcelona Femení’s matchup in Liga F vs. Granada on October 19, with the men’s team set to rock it during their El Clásico match against Real Madrid on Oct 26.

The authenticity of this latest link-up is epitomised by FC Barcelona player Robert Lewandowski: “Ed’s songs have been part of our dressing-room playlist for a long time, so seeing his new album on the front of our shirt for El Clásico feels really special. Music and football both bring fans together in powerful ways, and I’m proud to represent that connection on the pitch.”

Fans all around the world have been tapping into the Barça matchday playlists, with the FC Barcelona Hub on Spotify racking up over 182 million plays. Featuring players such as Lamine Yamal, Jules Kounde, Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmati, and others, music has become an integral part of the pre-match fan experience. And to commemorate the new collaboration even further, FC Barcelona will share a special edition of the matchday playlist, curated by Ed Sheeran. 

The one-off jersey is also accompanied by a capsule collection, featuring a retro jersey inspired by the 2004/5 season, a tribute to the period when Ed Sheeran first began recording music, and a 1899 limited edition jersey, inspired by the club’s founding year, alongside select pieces that honour Ed’s creative identity and FC Barcelona’s heritage. 

The Spotify x Ed Sheeran x FC Barcelona jersey and capsule collection can be purchased via Barça Official Stores in Spain and online from 10 am CEST on Oct 15.