Coldplay Unites With Spotify and FC Barcelona To Release a Special El Clásico Shirt, Merch Collection, and Matchday Playlist
Spotify is once again collaborating with record-breaking legends from the worlds of music and football, through its first-of-its-kind partnership with FC Barcelona. This time, the Barça shirt will feature a special Coldplay logo inspired by its tenth album, Moon Music, which debuted at Number 1 on Spotify’s weekly global charts and is out now.
The shirt will be worn during FC Barcelona’s El Clásico match on October 26, as well as FC Barcelona Femení’s match on November 2. Coldplay is the latest artist to be featured on the iconic FC Barcelona jersey with Spotify, following previous shirt takeovers with KAROL G, The Rolling Stones, ROSALÍA, and Drake.
“We’re honored that Spotify has chosen to feature our ‘Moon Music’ design on the shirt of FC Barcelona,” the members of Coldplay said in a written statement. “We’ve had a special relationship with the city and the club for many years.”
With 12 tracks in the Spotify Billions Club, Coldplay is the most-streamed British band of all time on Spotify. And that special connection with Barça fans was forged when its smash 2008 hit “Viva la Vida” became the club’s unofficial anthem during the 2008-2009 season.
Like FC Barcelona, Coldplay brings together fans from across the world. This moment celebrates the unity of humanity and the joy felt in shared experiences, whether that be a football match or concert. As an example of how the band unites people from across the world, the Moon Music logo that will feature on the FC Barcelona shirt was inspired by a design from a Coldplay fan.
“Coldplay is one of the most beloved bands in the world on Spotify, and its storied connection to Barça runs deep. We are thrilled to celebrate that history with fans worldwide through the iconic Barça jersey,” said Marc Hazan, Spotify VP of Partnerships and Marketing. “The release of Moon Music is a perfect moment to celebrate the power of football and music’s ability to bring people together.”
The limited-edition jersey will be available to purchase via the Barça Official Stores in Spain and online starting October 18. Inspired by the club’s founding year, there will be 1899 jerseys available for sale. Additionally, for superfans, the site will offer a very special collection of 22 glow-in-the-dark jerseys—11 signed by the men’s starting XI, and 11 signed by members of the Femení squad.
All net proceeds from the limited-edition jerseys will go to The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). A partnership between FC Barcelona and the UNHCR began in 2022 and raises awareness among football fans around the world about the real challenges faced by refugees.
“We’re also proud to support the UNHCR in their lifesaving work to protect refugees and displaced people around the world,” Coldplay added. “Heartfelt thanks to Spotify and FC Barcelona for making this happen.”
To make this moment even more memorable, Coldplay will curate a special edition of the popular Barça Matchday playlist on Spotify featuring some of their favorite songs to help motivate the players and fans in the build-up to the kickoff whistle.
Spotify, FC Barcelona, and Coldplay are also launching a limited-edition lifestyle collection of merchandise including T-shirts, hoodies, and scarfs. The merchandise imagery—which will also be available via the FC Barcelona Store on October 18—brings together the celestial themes of Moon Music and the legendary colors of FC Barcelona.
“We are delighted that through our partnership with Spotify, Coldplay will feature on the FC Barcelona shirt for El Clásico,” said Juli Guiu, FC Barcelona VP of Marketing. “The band and the club have a mutual love which stretches back many years from the band visiting training sessions, to Barça players watching Coldplay live in Barcelona over the years, to the band’s music soundtracking some of the club’s best moments.”
Bringing the logo to life
The special logo was inspired by a design created by a longtime Coldplay fan, David Saldaña Palomares. After Coldplay discovered his logo and reached out, the rest was history. For the Record spoke with David about the inspiration behind the design, his love of Coldplay, and what it felt like to be part of this moment.
What inspired you to create a Coldplay logo?
There were many inspirations, like the band’s lyrics, rhythms, melodies, and messages. There is always a message in the music that supports you during hard times and makes good moments memorable.
How did you react when Coldplay discovered your work?
There are no words to describe what I felt and continue to feel throughout this adventure. I only know that they were tears of happiness because I felt like I had never felt before. It’s something out of this world.
I still don’t believe Coldplay saw something that came from my soul and my mind, and that it has evolved to this point. It’s just something amazing, and it fills me with pride for my family, because it is thanks to them that I am who I am. I’m able to be in this moment because of the great parents I have and the wonderful family that surrounds me.
What does it feel like to see your design on the FC Barcelona kit?
I feel excited and grateful. It is a great joy that one of the biggest clubs on the planet, FC Barcelona, has chosen something that was born from my greatest passion—COLDPLAY—and everything it implies (love, respect, principles, empathy, etc.).
What’s your favorite Coldplay song of all time?
There are countless songs I could choose, but without a doubt, “The Scientist” is the best in my opinion. It transports me to different places, moments, and eras. It’s like traveling through time: past, present, and future.
For more on this first-of-its-kind partnership between Spotify and FC Barcelona, check out the FC Barcelona hub on For the Record.
