Orlando Pirates Step Into adidas’ Global Spotlight for 2026/27

Orlando Pirates are taking South African football onto the global stage once again. 🏴‍☠️🌍 The Buccaneers have been selected as the only African club featured in adidas’ high-profile global campaign for the 2026/27 season, placing the Soweto giants alongside some of the most recognisable clubs in world football. Launched with the fitting tagline “we are so back,” the campaign brings together players, clubs and ambassadors from across the football world as adidas introduces its new-season identity and kit collections. The campaign features 19 clubs, with Orlando Pirates standing as Africa’s sole representative. The list includes heavyweight European names such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Juventus, as well as major clubs from South America and North America. For Pirates, the inclusion represents more than simply appearing in a promotional campaign. It is another indication of the club's growing international profile and the strength of its long-standing relationship with adidas. The Buccaneers have been partnered with adidas since 1997, making the relationship one of the longest-running kit partnerships in South African football. Their appearance in the global campaign places the famous black-and-white club in the same international marketing conversation as some of the world's biggest football brands. Bafana Bafana midfielder Thalente Mbatha is also featured in the campaign imagery, adding a South African player to a promotional line-up that includes some of football's biggest global stars. The campaign's message — “we are so back” — captures the excitement surrounding the beginning of another football season. It also gives supporters around the world an opportunity to see the latest adidas designs and the clubs selected to represent the brand on its global platform. Pirates' presence is particularly significant for African football. With 18 other clubs representing major football markets across Europe and the Americas, the Buccaneers are carrying the African flag in one of adidas’ biggest football campaigns of the new season. The timing is also interesting as Orlando Pirates enter another demanding domestic and continental campaign. With the club continuing to compete at the highest level in South Africa, global exposure such as this further strengthens the Buccaneers' reputation beyond the continent. For Pirates supporters, seeing their club alongside European and American giants is another proud moment. From Soweto to the world, the Buccaneers continue to show that African football clubs can command attention on the global stage. Orlando Pirates are not just back — they are going global. 🏴‍☠️🌍🔥