Major League Soccer (MLS) is gearing up for the 2026 season with the unveiling of new kits for all 30 teams, blending fresh designs with tributes to music legends and significant historical moments. Adidas, the official outfitter of the MLS, will provide each team with a bespoke design, maintaining the signature three stripes while incorporating unique elements that reflect each club's identity and the culture of its city.

Grateful Dead Inspired Designs

While specific details are limited, the influence of the Grateful Dead extends beyond the realm of hockey and basketball, potentially inspiring some MLS designs. Several teams have previously released Grateful Dead-themed merchandise, suggesting a continued collaboration could be seen in the new kit designs.

Celebrating America's Birthday

The 2026 season will coincide with the 250th anniversary of the United States, and it is anticipated that some kits will draw inspiration from this historical milestone. While details are still emerging, fans can expect to see nods to American heritage and patriotic themes incorporated into select jersey designs.

Team-Specific Designs

Several teams have already offered glimpses into their new kits:

• Inter Miami CF: The "Fortitude Kit" features a combination of black and dark grey, symbolizing granite and resilience, accented with pink. They will also be getting a new primary jersey for 2025, breaking the tradition that usually sees teams only getting one new kit per year.
• San Diego FC: Preparing for their MLS debut, San Diego FC has revealed their "Inaugural" primary jersey in the club's primary color, Azul, reflecting the ocean horizon. Chrome accents represent the city's communities, with gradient side stripes incorporating the club's colors.
• Real Salt Lake: The Adidas Real Salt Lake 2026 home football shirt features hoops for the first time in the team's history. The home shirt is mainly navy, with three red horizontal stripes that feature a subtle graphic design. The 2025-26 away jersey incorporates square patterns representing Salt Lake City's grid system, with a tonal nod to the "beehive state".
• Seattle Sounders: The 2025/26 community kit honors the flow of water, showcasing geometric shapes, patterns, and natural materials, a collaboration with artists from the Suquamish, Muckleshoot/Squaxin and Puyallup Tribes.
• Houston Dynamo FC: The 2025 kit celebrates the club's 20th anniversary with vibrant orange, reflecting their original kits, and accents of Space City Blue.
• New York City FC: The Excelsior Kit celebrates the club's 10-year anniversary in MLS, featuring all four of the club's colors for the first time, with a flat print inspired by the skyscrapers of the city.
• Chicago Fire: The new community jersey is inspired by the city of Chicago, with the "Y" symbol representing the two branches of the Chicago River.
• Portland Timbers: Celebrating the club's 50th year anniversary, this jersey design features a tonal pattern with gold accents, rooted in the texture of tree rings.

Throwback Kits

In addition to the primary and secondary kits, eight teams will receive "Archive Kits" that feature throwback MLS logos. The teams include Austin FC, the Chicago Fire, Houston Dynamo, CF Montréal, Orlando City, Philadelphia Union, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. These kits will pay homage to the league's history.

The 2026 MLS season promises to be a landmark year, with the new kits serving as a canvas to celebrate soccer, music, and American heritage. As the official launch date approaches, fans eagerly anticipate the unveiling of all 30 designs, ready to support their teams in style.