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There are shop openings, and then there are shop openings with Lucas Leiva in the room.
Liverpool’s former midfielder made an appearance at the exclusive launch of Durban’s new official Liverpool FC store on Thursday, 1 October. For members of a local supporters’ club, the chance to share the occasion with a player they had spent years watching was reason enough to celebrate. Their delight was one of the evening’s highlights.
The store itself deserves some attention, too. Beautifully presented, the Gateway space gives buying football merchandise a sense of occasion. The partnership with South African supporterswear brand Old School brings a premium feel to the experience, giving fans somewhere they will want to spend time browsing. Liverpool appointed Old School as its South African retail partner earlier this year.
For those whose wardrobes already contain several versions of the same red shirt, this could be dangerous territory.
Beyond the kits, the range includes clothing, accessories, gifts and collectables, with an in-store printing service for personalising shirts. It gives KwaZulu-Natal supporters a dedicated local address for official Liverpool merchandise, joining the club’s stores in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
But a handsome store and a busy store are two different propositions. After seeing the space at the exclusive launch, one question remains: how comfortably will it accommodate the influx of supporters expected for Saturday’s opening celebration?
That is still to be tested. Old School had reported more than 2,500 registrations for the celebration ahead of the launch. Those registrations do not mean everyone will arrive at once, but they do suggest plenty of interest.
Saturday, 3 October brings the public opening celebration, with Leiva, the Premier League trophy, a DJ, raffles and opening discounts on the announced programme.
Thursday belonged to the guests and the delighted local supporters who got an early look. Saturday will give the wider Liverpool faithful their turn. Judging by the reaction at the exclusive launch, a quick browse might be an ambitious plan.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Where: Official Liverpool FC Store, Shop G175, Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Umhlanga, near Entrance 8.
Public opening celebration: Saturday, 3 October 2026.
More information: Check @lfcretailsa for celebration times and registration details.
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