Premier League stars forced to make special Champions League kit change due to bizarre rule

Some Premier League players will be made to wear a unique new kit in Champions League fixtures this season.

In less than one week, the 2026/27 Champions League season will kick off with the first matches of the season getting underway across Europe on September 8.

Ahead of the opening fixtures, the official draw for the league phase took place in Monaco on August 27, with all 36 teams in the opening round discovering their eight opponents.

The draw created some exciting clashes of titans throughout the eight matchweeks, with Manchester United v Bayern Munich, PSG v Barcelona and Arsenal v Real Madrid among the best fixtures.

But before any of the matches kick off, details of a brand-new kit rule introduced for the 26/27 season have emerged, and it's set to impact several Premier League players.

As reported by David Ornstein, players appearing for the first time in the competition will now wear special ‘Debut patches’ as part of a Champions League campaign agreed between sports merchandising brand Fanatics and UEFA.

The patch will have the word ‘debut’ being incorporated into the Champions League’s ‘starball’ logo and will be displayed on the sleeve of the debutant's kit.

Following their debut appearance, the patch will be retrieved and given to Topps, Fanatics' trading card company, and made into a unique card that is signed by the player before being put into collectible packs.

Players that are unused substitutes in what would be their debut appearance will have to wait until they actually get on the pitch to have their card made, but those that come off the bench to make their debut will be eligible.

The cards will be completely unique and are likely to sell for breathtaking amounts of money, with collectors often paying figures well north of £100,000 or even millions for special cards.

It is expected that this program will be also be introduced for the Women’s Champions League next season.

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Who will be made to wear the special patches this season?

Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United will represent England in the Premier League this season.

Across the five Premier League sides, there are 19 players that are a part of the senior squads and could make their Champions League debuts this season.

Of the 19, Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo is an almost certain pick as a player who will make his Champions League debut this season.

New teammate Carlos Baleba, who joined as United's final transfer of the summer as part of a £70m deal with Brighton, is another likely candidate to receive a debut patch this season.

Both men could make their debuts in Europe's biggest competition when United begin their campaign with a clash against Azerbaijan's Sabah FK at Old Trafford on September 10.

Elsewhere, Liverpool defender Jeremy Jacquet will almost certainly make his Champions League debut having secured a starting place alongside Virgil van Dijk in Andoni Iraola's backline.

Liverpool's new young winger Victor Munoz will also likely feature at some point in their European campaign this season, either as a starter or off the bench.

A home clash with familiar European foes Atletico Madrid awaits Liverpool in their first Champions League match on September 9.

Meanwhile at Man City, Iliman Ndiaye appears to be the most likely Champions League debutant following his £65m move from Everton on Deadline Day.

Full list of potential Champions League debutants at English clubs

Arsenal

Illan Meslier

Aston Villa

Zion Suzuki

João Gomes

Johan Manzambi

Modou Kéba Cissé

Brian Madjo

Liverpool

Freddie Woodman

Giovanni Leoni

Jeremy Jacquet

Victor Munoz

Manchester City

Allan Elias

Iliman Ndiaye

Manchester United

Karl Darlow

Tom Heaton

Patrick Dorgu

Leny Yoro

Ayden Heaven

Bryan Mbeumo

Carlos Baleba