Lead: As the 2026 NWSL season approaches, every club has unveiled at least one new jersey — two expansion teams included — producing 16 fresh kits across the league. Clubs leaned into local culture, history and visual ambition, from primary uniforms to third kits meant to be experimental. After reviewing each release, several designs stood out for their storytelling, colorwork and craftsmanship. This ranking places Orlando Pride’s commemorative secondary at No. 1 and Seattle Reign’s third kit at No. 16.
Key Takeaways
- Sixteen new kits were released for the 2026 season, including full primary/secondary sets from both expansion clubs (Denver Summit FC and Boston Legacy).
- No. 1: Orlando Pride’s secondary “Unity” kit commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting and uses interwoven rainbow ribbons to symbolize community resilience.
- No. 2: Washington Spirit’s primary “Spirit in Bloom” makes a bold choice by centering cherry-blossom imagery on a dark-green base representing the Potomac River.
- No. 3: NJ/NY Gotham’s third kit, “Lady Liberty,” reveals a Lady Liberty motif at distance while employing NYC blue-and-orange details up close.
- No. 16: Seattle Reign’s third kit, “Surge,” employs concord blue and a royal pulse motif but was judged the least adventurous of the set.
- Design trends include local iconography (flora, landmarks), historic nods (state mottos, regional industries) and an increase in primary kits that take visual risks.
- Top-five kits blend meaningful narratives with execution; mid-pack entries succeeded with color or crest work but faltered when patterns felt muddled or conservative.
Background
The NWSL’s 2026 kit cycle arrives amid continued league growth: two expansion franchises debuted new primary and secondary looks while established clubs refreshed identities and third-kit experiments. Across U.S. pro soccer, clubs increasingly treat jerseys as storytelling devices — not only merchandise but vehicles for local pride, social messaging and fan engagement. That trend shows in this year’s releases, which reference everything from state flora (North Carolina’s Venus flytrap) to civic landmarks (San Diego’s Balboa Park tile work).
Design choices reflect a balancing act between tradition and novelty. Some clubs opted for classic palettes and stripped-back motifs intended to re-center a team’s on-field identity (Chicago Stars’ “DNA”), while others leaned into thematic, sometimes busy, visual tapestries meant to celebrate city diversity (Houston Dash’s “Houston Chronicles”). For expansion sides, the kit rollout is a brand-defining moment: Denver Summit FC and Boston Legacy used their first uniforms to signal regional ties and establish a visual language for incoming fans.
Main Event
The season’s releases arrived in waves, with clubs teasing elements on social channels before full reveals. Orlando Pride’s secondary “Unity” kit quickly became the focal point of coverage because it blends a strong design with a public commemoration of the Pulse anniversary; the interlaced rainbow ribbons and the club’s stated intent gave the jersey both visual and civic weight. Washington Spirit earned attention for putting a daring floral primary into regular rotation rather than reserving it as a third kit, amplifying its visibility on matchdays.
Design execution varied. NJ/NY Gotham’s “Lady Liberty” third kit succeeds as a distance-based reveal — emblematic of metropolitan scale and identity — while Chicago’s “DNA” primary embraces minimalism and historical colors aimed at traditionalists. Clubs that layered multiple local motifs sometimes produced busy shirts: Houston’s kit stitches together five distinct city elements into a tapestry that some find rich and others find cluttered. Conversely, Denver Summit FC’s primary, “Evergreen,” was praised for clean symbolism (evergreen color and sky-inspired stripes) but marked down for relative visual restraint.
Third kits produced a mixed bag of creativity. Racing Louisville’s “Disco” playful homage to a quirky local manufacturing history and Bay FC’s poppy-toned third both attempted color departures from established palettes, while Utah Royals’ “Swarm” leaned into a darker, emblem-led concept referencing the state’s Beehive nickname. For some clubs, third kits are proving the laboratory for risk-taking; for others they remain decorative afterthoughts.
Analysis & Implications
Kits are now central to how clubs communicate brand values and civic ties; when done well, a jersey both sells merchandise and deepens local loyalty. Orlando’s top-ranked entry demonstrates how symbolism — a thoughtful memorial gesture combined with attractive execution — can elevate a kit beyond fashion into cultural resonance. That dual purpose increases the potential for meaningful revenue while also subjecting clubs to greater scrutiny about intent and sensitivity.
From a commercial perspective, bold primary kits (like Washington’s) can boost matchday visibility and accelerate jersey sales because fans wear them regularly, not just as collectible third shirts. However, riskier designs carry the possibility of alienating traditionalist supporters who prefer familiar colors and cleaner aesthetics. Teams must therefore weigh brand growth against established fan expectations.
For expansion teams, the first kits are foundational: they inform how new supporters see the club and how sponsors align with identity. Boston Legacy’s more interesting secondary and Denver Summit’s evergreen approach reflect different strategies — one leaning into neighborhood textures, the other emphasizing state symbolism. Both approaches have long-term brand implications because colors and crests anchor subsequent marketing and youth-program imagery.
Comparison & Data
| Rank | Team | Kit | Type | Notable Motif |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orlando Pride | Unity | Secondary | Interwoven rainbow ribbons; Pulse commemoration |
| 2 | Washington Spirit | Spirit in Bloom | Primary | Cherry blossoms on dark green (Potomac) |
| 3 | NJ/NY Gotham | Lady Liberty | Third | Distance-reveal Lady Liberty; NYC colors |
| 4 | Chicago Stars | DNA | Primary | Historic palette; bold stripes |
| 5 | North Carolina Courage | — | Primary | Venus flytrap pattern (state flora) |
The table above condenses the top five placements and their primary visual hooks. In reviewing this season’s releases, we judged each kit on clarity of concept, fidelity to local identity, color execution and how well the garment can function as both competition wear and supporter merchandise. The highest-ranked kits combined clear narratives with strong visual execution, while lower-ranked ones often suffered from either overcomplication or under-ambition.
Reactions & Quotes
Clubs framed many releases as community statements rather than purely commercial products. Orlando’s announcement explicitly tied the Unity kit to remembrance and solidarity, language that shaped public discussion around the design.
“These interwoven ribbons are meant to reflect an unbreakable bond in our community.”
Orlando Pride (team statement)
Angel City highlighted creative intent around their primary; the club described the kit as a concept rooted in local identity and radiant energy.
“Flare is about connecting soul to sol with a sunburst crest.”
Angel City FC (team release)
Unconfirmed
- Reported short-term sales figures for several kits have not been released publicly; any early sales anecdotes remain unverified.
- There are unconfirmed industry whispers about limited-production runs for certain commemorative jerseys; specifics and quantities have not been officially announced.
- Rumors of late design tweaks for select club kits circulated on social media prior to some reveals, but clubs have not confirmed those reports.
Bottom Line
The 2026 NWSL kit cycle shows clubs using uniforms as storytelling platforms — whether to honor community memory, highlight local flora and landmarks, or refresh a classic identity. Orlando Pride’s Unity stands out for merging thoughtful commemoration with striking visuals, while Washington Spirit’s decision to front bold floral art as a primary kit signals a willingness to elevate design ambition on matchdays.
Going forward, expect clubs to keep experimenting: expansion teams will refine their visual identities, and established sides will balance nostalgia with innovation. For fans and sponsors alike, the best kits will be those that pair clear meaning with wearable design — a combination that sells jerseys and strengthens the club’s connection to place.