In the upcoming Champions League round of 16 match between FC Barcelona and Newcastle at Spotify Camp Nou, the players’ jerseys will feature a special typeface created by Anna Vives, a young designer with Down syndrome.
The initiative is coordinated by the FC Barcelona Foundation with support from UEFA Foundation and Fundación Itinerarium, timed to coincide with International Down Syndrome Day on March 21. The inclusive font has been used in previous club events, such as the 2013 Joan Gamper Trophy, and one of the jerseys from that time is now displayed in the FC Barcelona museum.
Anna began designing the typeface in 2011 and fully digitized the alphabet by 2012, enabling its use across digital and physical formats. The project aims to promote social inclusion, increase visibility for people with intellectual disabilities, and emphasize teamwork and the value of diverse abilities.
The Anna typeface has been downloaded over 15 million times in more than 80 countries and is adopted not only by Barcelona but also by eight other clubs worldwide. Anna Vives will attend the match and be welcomed by the club’s leadership. The same inclusive font will also appear in the women’s Champions League quarterfinal between Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Barcelona’s adoption of this font represents more than design innovation — it stands as a powerful message of acceptance and diversity witnessed by millions of fans around the globe.
