2026 MLS new kit superlatives: Fun, energy, confusion and the top 3
Every team in MLS unveiled its new kit for 2026 (pairing with last year’s new releases). A recurring theme in the design explanations this year is references to creating something worthy of the spotlight that comes with North America hosting this summer’s World Cup. Ambitions and execution can often diverge when it comes to kit designs, though.
Did the teams and leaguewide kitmaker Adidas execute each one at that lofty level?
Here are superlatives for every new design.
Most underwhelming: Inter Miami’s ‘Presagio’ kit
Really, Miami? Just a black collared shirt? After years of pleading with this club to be more ambitious with its kit designs, given its color scheme, aura and the vibrancy of South Florida, it now just feels like they’re trolling us. The promotional language for this kit seems to support that theory, too:
“Inter Miami’s 2026 Presagio Kit captures the anticipation and tension that the team’s arrival generates. It’s the shift in the air when the club walks into another stadium. You feel Miami before you see Miami. Calm, confident, and certain, this kit represents the presence that travels with the team. Presagio is not a prediction. It is the sign that something is about to happen.”
That’s a lot of words for a black collared shirt that looks like something a youth league referee would wear. Still, since Lionel Messi’s name will be printed on the back of it, they’ll sell a ton of these, and nothing I say will matter.
Second most underwhelming: Colorado Rapids’ ‘Colorful Colorado’ kit
You can’t call a kit “Colorful Colorado” and then have it be this dark. You just can’t. Words need to have meaning, or else everything falls apart.
Third most underwhelming: Vancouver Whitecaps’ ‘Coastal’ jersey
This one isn’t necessarily bad. I like the collar and sleeve details. But Vancouver always has such nice kits, and this one feels disappointing compared to the bar the club has set.
Most ‘align center’ usage: Nashville SC’s ‘Reverb’ kit
If you get a thrill out of pressing “align center” when creating a document, this is the kit for you. Enjoy.
Most ENERGIZED: Red Bull New York’s ‘Rooted’ kit
RBNY has had better kits than this, but this one could be their most on-brand design ever. It’s meant to symbolize roots running deep. Really, it screams “staying up until dawn on a school night to play video games with your friends, with an ungodly amount of caffeine, taurine and pizza rolls coursing through your veins as you realize you haven’t blinked in seven hours.”
Most expensive looking: LAFC’s 2026 ‘Primary’ kit
This looks like a kit you can only purchase at a luxury store in Dubai, once you first prove you have a pet liger and a different Lamborghini for each day of the week.
Most ‘hotel wallpaper’ looking design: Portland Timbers’ ‘Civic Stadium’ kit
This design was inspired by Providence Park’s architecture to mark the stadium’s 100th anniversary, yet it just makes me wonder if I need to scan my room key to make the elevator work.
Most fun: San Jose Earthquakes’ ‘Grateful Dead’ kit
Musician-themed kits have become a trend in MLS in recent years, with this being the first of two new entries to the category. This is a fun concept that was well executed, and I’m not even a Grateful Dead fan.
Most ‘Yes, that is definitely one of your club’s kits’: Charlotte FC’s ‘Carolina’ kit; Chicago Fire’s ‘Forever Red’ kit; Columbus Crew’s ‘Crafted for Elegance’ kit; FC Dallas’ ‘DNA’ kit; DC United’s ‘Black and Red’ kit; LA Galaxy’s ‘VeloCITY’ kit’ and Real Salt Lake’s ‘Switchback’ kit
There isn’t a ton to say about any of these, as they very much adhere to tried-and-true designs each club has used previously. That’s not a bad thing at all — it can be good to have a consistent, traditional look. There just isn’t much new to say here.
Most disappointing expression of space exploration: Houston Dynamo’s ‘Mission Control’ jersey
There are so many awesome visuals associated with space exploration, but this is not one of them.
“The design features a satellite view of Houston layered with a heat map that captures the energy of its fans.”
There is no way you’re seeing that concept without reading the explanation first. Even after reading it, I’m seeing a T. rex or a large chicken walking toward the edge of a cliff.
Most noble: CF Montreal’s ‘Procure’ jersey
According to CF Montreal, a portion of all sales from this jersey will go to Procure, a Quebec-based charity that finances prostate cancer research. The organization’s name is featured on the back of the shirt. This is something more clubs should do.
Most confusing tribute to a legend: St. Louis City’s ‘Tina Turner’ kit
I’m sure Tina Turner would’ve loved that a sports team representing a city she lived in wanted to pay tribute to her with its kit. I’m not so sure she would’ve wanted the name of a dog food company emblazoned across the front of that tribute. There’s just something that doesn’t seem quite right about this.
Most haunting lion image: Orlando City’s ‘Sunken Treasure’ kit
A kit “inspired by shipwrecks, sea exploration and the pursuit of gold” is cool lore, but the real genius of this jersey is in the entrancingly lifeless eyes of the lion at its center. I can envision Orlando’s opponents getting sucked in by those eyes mid-match and mentally entering a limbo-like state where ancient sailors sing chilling sea shanties.
Most muddled tribute to the founding of the United States: Philadelphia Union’s ‘1776’ kit
Someone was told all the historical Philadelphia elements this kit should elicit, and they just jumbled them together. This feels like malicious compliance after executives rejected several dozen alternatives.
Clean but unremarkable: Seattle Sounders’ ‘Evergreen State’ kit and Toronto FC’s ‘Six’ kit
Both of these are simple, wearable and nice enough given their limited design elements. But for those same reasons, neither will be all that memorable.
Most ‘Yay, fireworks!’: New England Revolution’s ‘July 4’ jersey
“Inspired by patriotic bunting and fireworks that light the skies each summer, the design reflects pride, tradition and celebration.”
Fireworks are cool, and a different kit design element. This is a nice execution that urges you to look at the club’s badge rather than the much more prominent sponsor branding.
Most in need of just a little more jazz: Sporting Kansas City’s ’18th & Vine’ kit
I love the idea of a kit that pays tribute to Kansas City’s neon-laced jazz district, but this one is coming up a little short for me. The design isn’t bad, yet I look at it and feel like more could have been done with that theme. (Cue melancholy sax solo.)
Most attractive use of vertical stripey designs: Austin FC’s ‘Rooted in Austin’ kit and FC Cincinnati’s ‘Seven Hills’ kit
Both designs are inspired by the natural beauty that surrounds each city (“the lush greens and clear waters of Barton Springs, Zilker Park and the Hill Country” for Austin, and the seven hills and the Ohio River for Cincinnati). They both translated that through original takes on vertical stripes. Austin’s also makes me want mint chocolate chip ice cream.
Most improved: San Diego FC’s ‘Unprecedented Unity’ kit
San Diego kicked off its inaugural season in two kits that were essentially just Adidas’ basic template design. For Year 2, the club has something to call its own.
“Shaped by the shared culture of San Diego and Tijuana, this kit reflects a region defined by connection, creativity and global spirit.”
Is it the best design ever? Eh. At least it’s something unique to San Diego.
Most hypnotic: New York City FC’s ‘All Nations’ kit
Taking inspiration from the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows and the city flag, this jersey mainly gives me flashbacks to the Fruitopia commercials from the ’90s, but with the darkness of the 2020s.
Best historical callback: Atlanta United’s ‘Spirit of ’96’ kit
Atlanta United is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the 1996 Olympics hosted by the city with a kit that uses the Centennial Games color scheme. Making the club’s badge look like a gold medal was a nice touch, too.
Most middle of the pack: Minnesota United’s ‘Decade’ kit
Celebrating 10 years in MLS, Minnesota decided to include elements from kits throughout that decade. While the execution is subtle, blending those elements in a non-abrasive way, nothing really stands out about any of it either.
The definitive, wholly inarguable top 3:
- San Jose’s “Grateful Dead” kit
- Atlanta United’s “Spirit of ’96” kit
- New England Revolution’s “July 4” jersey
Most honorable of mentions: Orlando City’s “Sunken Treasure” kit, just because I don’t want those lion eyes to curse my family for generations to come.
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