To mark an extraordinary milestone, Juventus celebrated its 120th anniversary with the release of a specially designed limited edition jersey for the 2017-18 season. Crafted in collaboration with adidas Football, this commemorative kit pays homage to the club’s rich history while blending classic aesthetics with modern performance technology. Limited to just 1,897 units, the jersey stands as both a collector’s item and a tribute to one of Italy’s most iconic football clubs.
Design and Technical Features
The Juventus 120th anniversary jersey features the club’s signature black and white stripes, arranged in a clean, retro-inspired layout that allows the traditional colors to take center stage. Unlike standard kits, the sponsor logos—adidas, Jeep, and Cygames—are applied in subtle black-on-black detail across the front, back, and sleeves, maintaining a minimalist yet refined look.
Constructed from high-performance technical fabric, the shirt ensures optimal fit, breathability, and mobility, suitable for both players and collectors. The narrow sleeves and necklace-style collar nod to Juventus kits from the early 1950s, offering a vintage silhouette updated for modern comfort. Above the heart, three gold stars represent the club’s ten Scudetti each, replacing the usual crest and underscoring the celebratory nature of the jersey. Inside the neckline, a “pride graphic” and a ‘Sign Off’ featuring the foundation year (1897) reference the club’s first-ever emblem, while a black lower label displays the individual number of the jersey within the 1,897-piece run.
Completing the ensemble, the shorts and socks are identical to those of Juventus’ standard 2017-18 home kit, maintaining consistency while allowing the shirt to remain the focal point. Each jersey comes packaged in an exclusive box featuring the three golden stars, the club’s updated logo, and the 120th anniversary emblem, adding an extra layer of collectibility.
History and Inspiration
Founded on November 1, 1897, Juventus is one of Italy’s oldest and most successful football clubs. The design of the 120th anniversary kit draws heavily from the club’s early kits of the 1950s, merging nostalgia with modern technical standards. The use of black and white stripes honors the jersey tradition adopted in homage to England’s Notts County, while the minimalist crest placement emphasizes Juventus’ identity over branding.
The three gold stars on the chest not only commemorate a century-plus of football success but also echo a long-standing visual tradition in Juventus kits dating back to the 1994-95 season. The anniversary graphics inside the collar and the numbered label at the hem link each shirt to the club’s foundation and historical legacy, reinforcing the kit as a tangible connection to Juventus’ storied past.
Usage and Debut
The jersey was officially released on November 1, 2017, coinciding with the club’s exact foundation date. It made its on-field debut during Juventus’ Serie A home match against Benevento at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017. Notably, the kit was designed to be worn on-pitch for this singular occasion, emphasizing its commemorative status.
For collectors and fans, the jersey was available for purchase through the Juventus Official Online Store and selected official outlets in Italy, priced at €190. Its limited run of 1,897 units ensured that each piece remained a rare and highly sought-after item.
Did You Know?
- Each jersey is individually numbered, giving owners a unique position in Juventus history.
- The gold stars above the heart symbolize every ten league titles won by the club, a tradition consistent on all Juventus kits since 1994-95.
- The jersey removes traditional sponsor dominance, opting for subtle black-on-black logos to highlight the club’s iconic stripes.
- The term “Old Lady,” or La Vecchia Signora, is affectionately used by fans and media, making this commemorative shirt a celebration not only of years but also of a cultural identity in football.
