Quick Facts
- On signed Kylian Mbappé to a reported 10-year deal that includes cash and an equity stake in the company, ending his roughly 20-year relationship with Nike.
- Former France and Arsenal star Thierry Henry joined On as Director of Football, a role he has held privately since 2025.
- On’s first retail soccer boots, built with its LightSpray robotic manufacturing technology, are scheduled to hit shelves in 2027.
Swiss sportswear brand On has signed French soccer star Kylian Mbappé as a global ambassador and confirmed plans to enter the soccer market, challenging Nike and Adidas in the world’s most popular sport.
The deal, announced Sept. 18, includes both cash and equity components. Mbappé, 27, will hold a stake in On and work directly with its product teams on footwear and apparel. His Nike contract expired July 31 after roughly 20 years, closing a run of 12 signature shoes.
Mbappé is the World Cup’s all-time leading goal scorer. His move to On is structured differently from a traditional sponsorship. Rather than a pay-to-wear arrangement, he becomes a part-owner with a financial interest in whether On’s soccer push succeeds.
‘From the beginning, what drew me to On was the opportunity to build something entirely new together,’ Mbappé said in the announcement. ‘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.’
Nike issued a brief statement. ‘We are proud of what we achieved together on and off the pitch. As he moves into the next phase of his career, we wish him continued success for what comes next,’ the company said.
The Team Behind the Push
Thierry Henry, the former France and Arsenal forward, has joined On as Director of Football. He held the role privately starting in 2025 and played a part in bringing Mbappé to the brand once his Nike contract ended.
Swiss international Sydney Schertenleib, who plays for FC Barcelona and joined On in December 2025 as a training and lifestyle ambassador, is now part of the soccer division. She will test product for the women’s game. ‘I can honestly say, I’ve never felt the ball like I have in the product the team is working on,’ she said in the announcement.
A women’s soccer push is planned around next summer’s Women’s World Cup.
The Technology and Timeline
On’s soccer boots will be built using LightSpray, a technology the company first introduced in running shoes in 2024. A robotic arm sprays a continuous thermoplastic filament onto a foot-shaped last in about three minutes, creating a seamless, lightweight upper without traditional cutting, stitching, or gluing. On says the process also reduces production carbon emissions.
Mbappé is set to wear prototype versions of the boots in competitive matches before the retail launch. On’s first commercial soccer boots are scheduled for 2027 as a premium performance product. The brand plans to follow with a broader range of soccer apparel, lifestyle footwear, and potentially team kit partnerships.
The boots will also appear in EA Sports FC 27 around its launch.
On’s Financial Position
On reported CHF 3.01 billion in revenue for 2025, up 30% from the prior year. In Q2 2026, revenue reached CHF 850.3 million, up 14% year over year, with net income of CHF 105 million. The company expects full-year 2026 net sales to grow at least 23% on a constant currency basis, implying reported net sales of at least CHF 3.51 billion.
On went public in 2021, raising $746 million in its IPO. Roger Federer became an investor in 2019, helping lift the brand’s profile beyond its running shoe origins. Soccer represents its most ambitious category expansion yet, targeting a global market long controlled by Nike and Adidas.
