Every year in Basel, there are three days when the ‘normal’ order of things is suspended. These are the «the most beautiful day» (the three best days) dedicated to Basel Carnival, whose uniqueness, creativity, exuberance and artistic expression of the highest calibre make this event so special that it has been designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. FC Basel 1893 e Macron, once again this year, are paying tribute to the event which, from 10 to 12 March, will take place over three days in the Swiss city, with the Carnival Kit 2025.

The set is dedicated to another of the distinctive features of Basel’s Fasnacht: the Schnitzelbängg. These are nursery rhymes set to music, short masked performances characterised by mocking verses that fully embody the playful spirit of Carnival and are recited by the minstrels who write them. One of these Schnitzelbängg was dedicated specifically to this special FC Basel 1893 shirt, and the comedian Dr FMH, author of the verses, recited it on stage at the Theater Fauteuil, where the 2025 Carnival Kit was unveiled and modelled by an exceptional ‘model’: Xherdan Shaqiri, issue 10 of “Rotblau”.

The fusion of art, creativity and design in the kits produced by Macron for its partner clubs is perfectly embodied in FC Basel’s 2025 Carnival Kit. Thanks to the collaboration with the illustrator Domo Löw, the special kit also pays tribute to another Basel carnival tradition: hand-painted lanterns. During the Morgenstraich – the traditional parade through the city centre which kicks off Fasnacht at 4 am – the city’s streetlights are switched off, leaving the lanterns of various sizes carried by the participants as the sole source of light; these are hand-decorated with colourful, allegorical designs.

Similarly, the new ‘special edition’ shirt from the’FC Basel 1893 It is, in fact, treated as a lantern and adorned all round with drawings depicting carnival scenes. These illustrations, created, as mentioned, by the artist Domo Löw, are made entirely by hand, just as all the other elements included in the kit are also hand-drawn: the Macron and club logos, the shirt sponsors‘ logos, right down to the players’ names and numbers on the back.

The Carnival Kit 2025 Special Edition is a long-sleeved shirt with a crew neck edged in white. The main body is navy blue, featuring a design in the centre of a traditional Fasnacht mask kicking a ball. The sleeves and right side are red, whilst the left side is a lighter shade of blue. The entire shirt is a tribute to carnival, with white designs on the front and back of the shirt, as well as on the cuffs.

The sleeves also feature two phrases: ‘If I were to count the three best days, that would be 48 times 90 minutes’ (If football were played during the three best days, that would amount to 48 times 90 minutes) and ‘They’re playing in Basel; I think it’s brilliant – there’s plenty of talk, but the VAR never intervenes’ (Here in Basel they play the piffero; I think it’s marvellous – they whistle all sorts of nonsense, but VAR has never intervened). On the chest, both drawn freehand, the Macron the Hero and the logo of the’FC Basel 1893. The back of the neck is personalised with a label featuring the Swiss club’s logo, carnival designs, the Macron logo and the words ‘Designed in Bologna’ which certifies that every garment is conceived, designed and developed at the Italian brand’s headquarters. The Carnival Kit, like all the Rossoblù’s match kits, is made from Eco Fabric, 100% polyester fabric made from recycled plastic, underlining the green philosophy – a commitment to sustainability and respect for the environment – shared by FC Basel 1893 and Macron.