NFL unveils 2026 Rivalries uniforms for AFC South and NFC North teams
Eight NFL teams have revealed new alternate uniforms designed to reflect their local city identities and community heritage. The designs will debut during key 2026 divisional matchups.
The NFL unveiled its 2026 "Rivalries" uniforms for teams in the AFC South and NFC North on Tuesday, marking the latest iteration of the league’s initiative to celebrate local identities through alternate jersey designs. The program, which debuted in 2025 with the AFC East and NFC West, expanded this year to include eight teams, each tasked with creating a uniform that reflects their city’s culture, history, and community. The designs were revealed simultaneously across multiple outlets, with some teams leaking details ahead of official announcements.
The Houston Texans led the charge with their "HOUSTON/US" uniforms, a vibrant blend of Liberty White, H-Town Blue, and Battle Red. The white helmet pays homage to the franchise’s 25th anniversary, while the red stitching on the collar and shoulder pads nods to Houston’s "US" identity. The Texans will debut the look in Week 11 against the Indianapolis Colts, joining their four existing jersey combinations through 2029. Team officials emphasized the design’s hyper-local storytelling, with Senior Vice President Doug Vosik calling it “the most Houston uniform that will ever grace the gridiron.”
The Indianapolis Colts’ "Anvil Strike" uniforms drew inspiration from the city’s industrial heritage. The metallic blue helmet, anvil-inspired black jersey, and high-shine finishes were described as a modern take on the team’s iconic blue. The design’s “anvil steel” theme symbolizes the grit of Colts football, with reflective accents capturing “the sparks and motion created by every strike.” The Colts will wear the uniforms in Week 3 against the Texans, a matchup that underscores the rivalry between the AFC South teams.
The Chicago Bears’ Rivalries uniform, unveiled alongside the rest of the NFC North, features a midnight palette with burnt orange accents. The design nods to the team’s “Monsters of the Midway” era, with orange pants and heritage details. Fans had speculated about polar bear motifs or front-facing logos, but the final look instead blends classic elements with a modern twist. The Bears will wear the uniform only during their Christmas game against the Green Bay Packers in Week 16, marking the first new Bears jersey worn in a game since 2019.
The Green Bay Packers’ design honored their fan-owned legacy with a vintage green palette inspired by historic stock certificates. The alabaster helmet and pants evoke the aged paper of early Packers stock certificates, while the numbers and sleeves feature stock certificate-inspired details. The Vikings opted for a purple jersey with a Vikings-knot pattern on the shoulder and pants, a nod to their heritage and a Color Rush-style look. The Detroit Lions, meanwhile, chose a white jersey with a blue helmet, drawing comparisons to the Carolina Panthers’ uniform but emphasizing Detroit’s identity through subtle details.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ teal helmet and black pants stood out as the most dramatic departure from their standard look. The design includes a “904” mark on the helmet, a nod to Jacksonville’s area code, and a “Since ‘95” inscription honoring the franchise’s inaugural season. The Jaguars will debut the uniforms in Week 8 against the Colts, while the Tennessee Titans’ “Music City” jerseys feature a baby blue helmet and navy blue jersey, blending elements of their past and present. The Texans’ and Titans’ designs avoided direct throwback references, instead focusing on contemporary interpretations of their cities’ identities.
The Rivalries program, developed in collaboration with Nike, requires each team to create a uniform rooted in local community influence. Teams will wear their designs once per season, with the option to keep them in their rotation for three years. The schedule for 2026 includes matchups between AFC South rivals like the Texans and Colts, as well as NFC North games such as the Bears-Packers Christmas showdown. The program will continue through 2028, with the remaining divisions set to unveil their uniforms in subsequent years.
Merchandise for the Rivalries uniforms went on sale Sept. 1, with fan shops and online retailers offering jerseys, helmets, and lifestyle apparel. The Texans and Jaguars also announced mobile team shop events, allowing fans to engage with the new designs in person. While some fans praised the creativity of the uniforms, others questioned the limited use of the designs, with only one game per team dedicated to the Rivalries look. Nonetheless, the initiative continues to highlight the NFL’s efforts to blend tradition with innovation, offering a fresh way for teams to connect with their communities.
