Lucas Leiva Liverpool FC Store Opens in Durban 2026

Key Points

• Lucas Leiva has officially opened the third official retail store of Liverpool FC in South Africa.
• The new store has been opened at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Durban.
• The Brazilian former midfielder participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony along with other fans.
• The store opening ceremony in Durban came after official Liverpool FC store openings in Cape Town and Johannesburg in the early part of 2026.
• With the latest store opening, Liverpool FC has now opened three stores in South Africa in six months.
• The club claims that it is the only football club from Europe to have standalone retail stores in Africa.
• The store is selling LFC x adidas kit collection, training wear, fashion, gifts, and exclusive club merchandise.
• As per Liverpool FC, South Africa is the home of 12.5 million Liverpool fans.
• The club has reported six million social media followers, four Official Liverpool Supporters Clubs, and a combined TV audience of 36.6 million during the 2025-26 season.
• The team has opened seven new stores around the world in the last one year.
• The international retail team of the club has entered three new markets, hosted four international kit launches, and has signed two retail partners.

Liverpool Sports (Liverpool standard) October 5, 2026 – Former Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has officially opened Liverpool FC’s newest retail store in Durban, extending the club’s official retail presence in South Africa to three outlets within six months.

According to Liverpool FC’s official report, Lucas attended the launch at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping, where he joined local supporters for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. He also took part in a meet-and-greet, welcoming fans into the store for the first time.

The opening represents another step in Liverpool FC’s international retail expansion. It gives supporters in Durban and surrounding areas a dedicated location to purchase official club merchandise, including the latest LFC x adidas playing kits and training wear.

The store also stocks official fashion items, accessories, gifts and other exclusive Liverpool FC products.

Where is the new Liverpool FC store located?

The new store is situated at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Durban, one of South Africa’s major retail destinations.

Liverpool FC stated that Gateway is among the world’s 100 largest shopping malls and receives nearly two million visitors each month. The location places the club’s official merchandise within a high-traffic commercial centre that attracts both local residents and visitors.

The store’s position in Durban also expands Liverpool FC’s retail coverage beyond South Africa’s two other recently established locations: Cape Town and Johannesburg.

With outlets now operating in three major cities, supporters in different parts of the country have more opportunities to access official merchandise without relying exclusively on online shopping or overseas retailers.

Why is the Durban opening important for Liverpool FC?

Liverpool FC described the new outlet as part of a broader effort to strengthen its presence in an important international market.

The club’s official report said South Africa has 12.5 million Liverpool supporters. It also reported six million social media followers, four Official Liverpool Supporters Clubs and a cumulative television audience of 36.6 million during the 2025–26 season.

Those figures show the size of Liverpool’s following in the country and help explain the club’s decision to expand its physical retail network there.

The Durban store follows the launch of official Liverpool FC outlets in Cape Town and Johannesburg earlier in 2026. The three openings have taken place within six months, indicating a concentrated expansion programme rather than a single standalone retail launch.

Liverpool FC said the new stores are designed to bring the club closer to supporters and provide a dedicated environment in which fans can engage with the brand locally.

What did Liverpool FC say about the store launch?

Lee Dwerryhouse, senior vice-president of merchandising at Liverpool FC, said South Africa had a “huge and incredibly passionate community” of supporters.

In a statement published by Liverpool FC, Dwerryhouse said the club was pleased to open its third store in the country within six months. He added that stores in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban would allow Liverpool FC to reach more supporters and provide them with direct access to official products.

Dwerryhouse also highlighted Liverpool FC’s position as the only European football club with standalone retail stores in Africa.

He said this status reflected both the strength of the club’s support in the region and its long-term commitment to the South African market.

Liverpool FC’s published statement did not attribute the report to an external journalist. The comments and figures used in this report are therefore attributed to the club’s official news publication and to Lee Dwerryhouse, who was identified by the club as senior vice-president of merchandising.

What products will the Durban store sell?

The Durban outlet will offer a range of official Liverpool FC products, including:

• The latest LFC x adidas playing kits.
• Training wear.
• Club-branded fashion.
• Accessories.
• Gifts.
• Exclusive Liverpool FC merchandise.

The product range is intended to serve supporters looking for both match-related clothing and everyday items carrying the club’s branding.

The store also provides a physical retail experience rather than functioning only as a point of sale. The launch event, which included Lucas Leiva’s appearance and a supporter meet-and-greet, gave fans the opportunity to interact with a former player while celebrating the opening.

Future visitors will be able to access official products in a location connected directly to Liverpool FC’s retail network.

How does the opening fit Liverpool FC’s global retail strategy?

The Durban launch forms part of a wider period of growth for Liverpool FC’s international retail operation.

According to the club, seven new stores have opened during the past year. During the same period, Liverpool FC has held four international kit launch events, entered three new markets and added two new retail partners.

The club described the latest figures as part of a record-breaking 12 months for its international retail team. The expansion has increased the number of locations where supporters can obtain official products and experience Liverpool FC’s retail brand in person.

South Africa has become one of the clearest examples of that strategy. Rather than opening one outlet in a single market, the club has established stores in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban in quick succession.

This approach allows Liverpool FC to serve supporters across multiple urban centres while increasing the visibility of its official merchandise network.

What role did Lucas Leiva play in the launch?

Lucas Leiva attended the Durban opening as a former Liverpool player and took part in the official ceremony.

Liverpool FC said he joined local supporters for the ribbon-cutting and participated in a meet-and-greet. His involvement connected the new retail location with the club’s playing history and gave fans an opportunity to meet a former Reds midfielder.

Lucas spent much of his professional career at Liverpool and remains a familiar figure among the club’s international supporters. His appearance helped mark the launch, although Liverpool FC’s report did not state that he would have an ongoing commercial or operational role at the store.

The opening was presented as a supporter-focused event, with Lucas welcoming fans into the outlet on its first day.

How many Liverpool FC stores are now open in South Africa?

Liverpool FC now has three official retail stores in South Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.

The club said the Cape Town and Johannesburg stores opened earlier in 2026, while the Durban location became the third outlet launched in the country in six months.

The expansion gives Liverpool FC a physical presence in three prominent South African cities. It also strengthens the club’s ability to provide official merchandise to supporters through dedicated retail outlets.

Liverpool FC said the three openings reflected the strength of its following in South Africa and its continuing focus on creating more ways for international supporters to connect with the club locally.

What does the launch mean for Liverpool supporters?

For supporters in Durban and nearby areas, the store provides closer access to official Liverpool FC products.

Fans can visit the outlet to view and purchase current kits, training wear, fashion items, gifts and accessories. The physical location may also give supporters an opportunity to engage with the club’s retail identity in a way that online shopping cannot fully replicate.

The launch also demonstrates that Liverpool FC is investing in the South African market rather than treating it solely as a broadcast or digital audience.

The club’s reported figures on supporters, social media followers and television viewership indicate a large existing audience. The new store network provides a commercial channel through which Liverpool FC can serve that audience locally.

Background

Liverpool FC’s expansion in South Africa is part of a wider international retail programme aimed at bringing official club products and supporter experiences closer to fans around the world.

The club says it is currently the only European football club with standalone retail stores on the African continent. The openings in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban have increased its direct retail presence in a country with a large and established Liverpool following.

Over the past year, Liverpool FC’s international retail team has reported seven new store openings, four international kit launch events, entry into three new markets and the addition of two retail partners.

The club’s South African strategy combines physical retail expansion with existing supporter activity. Liverpool FC reports 12.5 million supporters in the country, six million social media followers, four Official Liverpool Supporters Clubs and a cumulative television audience of 36.6 million during the 2025–26 season.

The Durban outlet is located at Gateway Theatre of Shopping, a major mall that Liverpool FC says attracts nearly two million visitors each month. Its location is intended to give the store significant visibility and provide supporters with access to official merchandise in a busy retail environment.

Prediction: How could the store affect South African supporters?

The Durban store is likely to make official Liverpool FC merchandise more accessible to supporters in KwaZulu-Natal and nearby areas. Fans who previously depended on online purchases, third-party retailers or travel to other cities may have a more convenient local option.

The outlet could also increase Liverpool FC’s visibility in Durban through future product launches, supporter activities and club-related retail events. Its presence may encourage more direct engagement between the club and local fans, particularly during major kit releases or other international campaigns.

For Liverpool supporters across South Africa, the three-store network may signal continued investment in the market. However, the long-term effect will depend on factors such as product availability, pricing, delivery alternatives, store performance and the club’s decision to maintain or expand its retail programme.

At present, the confirmed development is the opening of Liverpool FC’s third South African store in Durban, following the launches in Cape Town and Johannesburg.