On Enters Football With Kylian Mbappe And Thierry Henry As Director
Quick Summary
- On enters football on September 18th, 2026, with Kylian Mbappe as central partner and Thierry Henry as Director of Football.
- The brand will apply its LightSpray robotic manufacturing technology to elite football footwear, prioritizing lightweight construction and close fit.
- Sydney Schertenleib joins the effort focused on women's game development; no product release dates or pricing have been announced yet.
Swiss sportswear brand On announced its entry into football on September 18th, 2026, naming Kylian Mbappe as its central partnership figure and Thierry Henry as Director of Football. The move marks the Zurich-based company's first foray into the world's most popular sport, following a period of behind-the-scenes development that the brand says began in late 2025.
On's approach to football will be built around its LightSpray technology, a proprietary robotic manufacturing process first introduced in 2024 that constructs a performance upper from a continuous sprayed filament. The company says it is now applying that technology to the specific demands of elite football, with the goal of producing footwear that is exceptionally lightweight and close-fitting. Product development will be athlete-led, with On's elite partners working directly alongside its engineering teams to test and refine future football products.
Mbappe, a World Cup champion and the tournament's all-time record goal scorer, will collaborate directly with On's product teams on football footwear and apparel, and will also serve as a global ambassador for the brand across movement, performance, and design. "From the beginning, what drew me to On was the opportunity to build something entirely new together that will help shape tomorrow's game," Mbappe said. "I want to bring my experience and perspective into what we create, push what's possible through innovation, and always stay true to the joy of football." David Allemann, On's Founder and co-CEO, framed the ambition plainly: "Football needs new ideas and a challenge to what is possible. When we enter a sport, we want to be the brand of the future."
Henry, a French World Cup winner and Arsenal FC legend, has been working with On on its football strategy since late 2025 and was formally announced as Director of Football alongside the brand's public launch. His role spans product development, athlete relationships, and the brand's broader approach to football culture. "Building something new in football requires a bold and original approach," Henry said. "Over the past year, I've seen first-hand the curiosity and attention to detail the team at On brings to that process." Swiss international and FC Barcelona midfielder Sydney Schertenleib also joins the football effort, expanding on an ambassador relationship with On that began in December 2025. She will contribute directly to product development and testing, with a focus on the women's game.
The campaign imagery for On's football launch was shot by photographer Juergen Teller, who brought Mbappe, Henry, and Schertenleib together inside On Labs in Zurich, the company's innovation and product development facility, placing them among the machinery and prototypes behind the LightSpray process. No specific product release dates or retail pricing have been announced. To stay up to date with the latest releases, connect with us on Instagram and Twitter.
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- On enters football on September 18th, 2026, with Kylian Mbappe as central partner and Thierry Henry as Director of Football.
- The brand will apply its LightSpray robotic manufacturing technology to elite football footwear, prioritizing lightweight construction and close fit.
- Sydney Schertenleib joins the effort focused on women's game development; no product release dates or pricing have been announced yet.
Swiss sportswear brand On announced its entry into football on September 18th, 2026, naming Kylian Mbappe as its central partnership figure and Thierry Henry as Director of Football. The move marks the Zurich-based company's first foray into the world's most popular sport, following a period of behind-the-scenes development that the brand says began in late 2025.
On's approach to football will be built around its LightSpray technology, a proprietary robotic manufacturing process first introduced in 2024 that constructs a performance upper from a continuous sprayed filament. The company says it is now applying that technology to the specific demands of elite football, with the goal of producing footwear that is exceptionally lightweight and close-fitting. Product development will be athlete-led, with On's elite partners working directly alongside its engineering teams to test and refine future football products.
Mbappe, a World Cup champion and the tournament's all-time record goal scorer, will collaborate directly with On's product teams on football footwear and apparel, and will also serve as a global ambassador for the brand across movement, performance, and design. "From the beginning, what drew me to On was the opportunity to build something entirely new together that will help shape tomorrow's game," Mbappe said. "I want to bring my experience and perspective into what we create, push what's possible through innovation, and always stay true to the joy of football." David Allemann, On's Founder and co-CEO, framed the ambition plainly: "Football needs new ideas and a challenge to what is possible. When we enter a sport, we want to be the brand of the future."
Henry, a French World Cup winner and Arsenal FC legend, has been working with On on its football strategy since late 2025 and was formally announced as Director of Football alongside the brand's public launch. His role spans product development, athlete relationships, and the brand's broader approach to football culture. "Building something new in football requires a bold and original approach," Henry said. "Over the past year, I've seen first-hand the curiosity and attention to detail the team at On brings to that process." Swiss international and FC Barcelona midfielder Sydney Schertenleib also joins the football effort, expanding on an ambassador relationship with On that began in December 2025. She will contribute directly to product development and testing, with a focus on the women's game.
The campaign imagery for On's football launch was shot by photographer Juergen Teller, who brought Mbappe, Henry, and Schertenleib together inside On Labs in Zurich, the company's innovation and product development facility, placing them among the machinery and prototypes behind the LightSpray process. No specific product release dates or retail pricing have been announced. To stay up to date with the latest releases, connect with us on Instagram and Twitter.