Karachi, October 14, 2025 — In a landmark collaboration blending the worlds of music and football, Spotify and FC Barcelona have announced global pop icon Ed Sheeran as the latest artist to take over the club’s legendary blaugrana jersey for the highly anticipated El Clásico match against Real Madrid on October 26.
This marks the seventh jersey takeover under the Spotify x FC Barcelona partnership and the first time a solo male pop artist has ever fronted the club’s iconic shirt. The jersey will feature the logo of Ed Sheeran’s upcoming studio album, Play, symbolizing creativity, unity, and global connection.
A Celebration of Music, Culture, and Football
The launch coincides with the release of Ed’s eighth studio album Play — a record inspired by joy, culture, and connection. Its placement on FC Barcelona’s jersey reflects the power of music to transcend borders and bring fans together, much like football itself.
FC Barcelona, renowned for its youthful energy and expressive playing style nurtured through La Masia, finds a perfect cultural match in Ed’s creative vision. Both embody passion, artistry, and a deep sense of community.
> “Seeing my new album Play on the Barça shirt is something I’m proud of,” said Ed Sheeran. “I’ve always loved football and FC Barcelona, and I think it’s amazing to bring together the worlds of music and sport in such a fun way.”
Expanding the Experience into Gaming and Fashion
For the first time ever, this Spotify jersey takeover will extend into gaming. Starting October 23, players worldwide will be able to wear the new Ed Sheeran x FC Barcelona jersey in eFootball™, a platform with more than 900 million downloads globally.
Adding to the excitement, a limited-edition capsule collection will also launch — including a retro-style jersey inspired by FC Barcelona’s 2004/05 season (when Ed first began recording music). Only 1,899 special-edition jerseys will be available, a nod to Barça’s founding year, and can be purchased via Barça Official Stores in Spain or online from October 15, 10 a.m. CEST.
Voices from Spotify and FC Barcelona
Marc Hazan, Senior Vice President of Partnerships and Marketing at Spotify, commented:
> “Ed’s genuine love of football and his global fanbase make him the perfect artist for this moment. The Play takeover reflects Spotify’s mission to connect fans through music, sport, and shared passion.”
Robert Lewandowski, FC Barcelona’s star forward, added:
> “Ed’s songs have been part of our dressing room playlist for years. Seeing his album on our jersey for El Clásico is special — it shows how music and football unite people across the world.”
Manel del Río, General Manager of FC Barcelona, said:
> “This collaboration with Ed Sheeran is another milestone in our partnership with Spotify. The jersey takeovers have become iconic moments each season, celebrating the harmony between sport and music.”
A Global Phenomenon: Music Meets the Beautiful Game
With over 92 million monthly listeners and 14 tracks in Spotify’s Billions Club, Ed Sheeran ranks among the most streamed artists in the world. Previous Spotify x FC Barcelona jersey takeovers have featured global superstars including Drake, Rosalía, Coldplay, The Rolling Stones, KAROL G, and Travis Scott — making this edition yet another defining cultural crossover.
Fans can also explore the FC Barcelona Hub on Spotify, which has surpassed 182 million streams of playlists curated by Barça players such as Lamine Yamal, Jules Kounde, Alexia Putellas, and Aitana Bonmati. For El Clásico, a special matchday playlist curated by Ed Sheeran will be released, celebrating the shared energy between music and sport.
Key Details
Event: El Clásico – FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid
Date: October 26, 2025
Jersey Reveal: October 15, 2025 (10 a.m. CEST)
Gaming Launch: October 23, 2025, in eFootball™
Special Edition Jerseys: 1,899 units worldwide
