When J.J. Watt stepped onto the pitch of English football, he brought more than a championship pedigree; he brought a vision. As a minority owner and advisory board member of Burnley F.C., the three‑time NFL Defensive Player of the Year has spent nearly two years shaping the club’s new 2026/27 away kit, a project that merges his love of design with a deep respect for the team’s heritage.
A Design Born from Collaboration
The resulting jersey abandons fleeting trends in favor of a cream base threaded with horizontal red and green stripes. Those colors echo the club’s long‑standing palette, while the crest is restored to its former prominence. Subtle nods to Gawthorpe Hall and archival program notes are embroidered into the fabric, turning the garment into a moving tribute to Burnley’s storied past.
Fans were consulted at every stage, their preferences shaping everything from stripe width to the exact shade of green. Watt emphasized that the design had to feel like a collective creation, not a top‑down mandate, and the final product reflects that democratic spirit.
Looking Ahead to the New Season
The kit will make its competitive debut in the EFL Cup on August 8, 2026, before the league campaign opens on August 16. Burnley will wear it primarily for away matches, with the iconic Turf Moor in Lancashire serving as the home ground where the team aims to secure promotion back to the Premier League.
Watt stars in the launch video and amplifies the reveal across his social media channels, framing the jersey as a bridge between tradition and ambition. By honoring the club’s heritage while injecting fresh energy, the design sets the tone for a season that could redefine Burnley’s trajectory.