Shirts from Olympique Lyonnais

L'Olympique Lyonnais, the reference of the 2000s

Seven consecutive French championship titles: no French club has done better, and this streak remains the hallmark of OL. It was built under the presidency of Jean-Michel Aulas, starting from a team built around players like Sonny Anderson, Juninho, Michael Essien, or Karim Benzema.

Before this period, the club had only experienced a modest record since its founding in the mid-twentieth century. The shift from outsider status to national reference in about ten seasons is one of the fastest trajectories in French football.

The Groupama Stadium, in Décines, has accompanied this step up with its fifty-nine thousand seats. It is one of the most modern venues in the country, hosting both European matches and major women's fixtures.

The white shirt with red and blue trim

OL's home shirt is white, with red and blue running through or bordering it depending on the collections. It’s a base that the club has always retained, making its kit recognizable even when the design changes completely from year to year.

The lion from the crest has become the most used graphic element of Lyon's identity. It appears on training kits and part of the third shirts, often in a pattern or subtle print.

Home, away, third: which to choose?

The home shirt is the white with trim, the one from the Groupama Stadium, and the one that ages best: it remains identifiable long after.

The away shirt starts with a different base each year, often darker or more colourful. It’s the one that’s easiest to wear outside the stadium context.

The third takes the most liberties in design and is produced in smaller quantities. It’s the one that becomes sought after once sold out, and the one that goes the fastest at launch.

The women's team kits

OL Féminin is the most decorated club in European women's football, and this status is reflected in the store: the women's team shirts have their own references, distinct from the women's cut of the men's shirt.

The distinction needs to be clear when ordering. A women’s cut is the men's team shirt tailored differently; a women's team shirt is the kit worn by the players, with its own design. Both exist, and they are not the same products.

Supporter version or player version?

The supporter version has a straight, looser fit, made from breathable but soft material. It's the one worn at the stadium as well as in the street, and the default choice if you’re in doubt.

The player version, known as authentic, replicates the on-field kit: body-hugging fit, technical fabric, different finishes. It is significantly more fitted, to the point that it's common to take one size up, sometimes two.

For children, the junior sizes follow age and height in centimetres. Taking too big to last for another season generally means the shirt won’t be worn.

Printing: name, number, and badges

The official printing follows the typography and colours required by the competition, which differ between the league and the European Cup. This is what separates a shirt printed in-store from an approximate personalisation.

Once personalised, a shirt is no longer exchangeable: the size is checked beforehand, not afterwards. And a player’s name is a gamble on longevity, which leads some supporters to prefer a blank shirt or just a number.

The other Ligue 1 clubs

The league isn't just about Lyon, and each club has its page:

• The Paris Saint-Germain, the most decorated club in France, and the Olympique de Marseille, the only French winner of the Champions League.
• The AS Monaco, the RC Lens, the LOSC, and the OGC Nice, regulars in European spots.
• The Stade Rennais, the AS Saint-Étienne, a neighbour and rival in the derby, and the FC Nantes.
• The Girondins de Bordeaux, the RC Strasbourg, the Toulouse FC, the FC Metz, the Paris FC, and the Red Star complete the league.

The Ligue 1 page gathers all the clubs.

Where to find a cheaper OL shirt

The promotions in the supporter shop collect the kits currently on sale, while the new arrivals showcase the recently arrived collections.

The clearance and good deals are available all year round on end-of-line items, often from the previous collection. The sales arrive at the official times.

The Black Friday marks the start of the busy season, leading up to the end-of-year holidays, winter sales, and the French Days in spring. The best time for shirts remains when the next collection arrives, when the previous one moves to end-of-line.

Frequently asked questions

What are OL's colours?

White, with red and blue running through or bordering according to the collections. This is the historical base of the home shirt, maintained even when the design changes completely from year to year.

What is the difference between a women’s cut shirt and a women's team shirt?

The women's cut is the men’s team shirt tailored differently. The women's team shirt is the kit worn by the players, with its own design. Both exist in-store and they are not the same products.

Should I take a size up for a player shirt?

Yes, at least one, sometimes two if you don't want a tight-fitting shirt. In the supporter version, your usual size is fine in most cases.

Can I personalise an OL shirt?

Yes, with the name and number of a player in the official typography of the competition. A printed shirt can no longer be exchanged, hence the importance of checking the size before ordering.

Where to find a cheap OL shirt?

On the promotions in the supporter shop and in the clearance, which includes end-of-line items when the next collection arrives.