The National Women’s Soccer League unveiled the 2026 jerseys for each of its 16 teams yesterday, and we saw some teams really take a swing for the fences. Each team will receive a new jersey this season, with expansion teams Boston Legacy and Denver Summit receiving a new set of jerseys.

For the first time, the NWSL will see some teams have third jerseys this year. Nine teams will keep their previous primary and secondary, adding a third jersey to their collection. Outside of the debutants, four teams, including the Washington Spirit, will gain a new primary jersey, while the Orlando Pride is the only team that will get a secondary jersey. In total, there will be 18 jerseys that will make their debut this season.

When a league releases a full set of jerseys, the streets have to evaluate them. We discuss which were good, which were bad, which were boring, and which get an A for effort even if execution fell flat. And, it’s our civic duty to rank them. So, that’s what we’re doing here. From worst to first, we go through the 2026 NWSL jerseys to let you know what teams nailed it and which need to go back to the drawing board.

18. Denver Summit – Summit Snow Kit (Secondary)

Denver is the newest team, having been announced a little over a year ago. So, it’s natural for a team to have fewer template options so late in a process that generally takes 18-24 months. But in the case of their Summit Snow Kit, they fell down the mountain face first. This jersey is just their home jersey with a white vest over it, and that’s really a shame to kickstart their club with such a dull offering. The lack of design shows in a weird way that they had a chance to introduce something better. However, they decided not to do so, opting for the LL Bean look and using words to try and describe what the jersey should represent. They should not die on the summit of this hill trying to defend this lack of thought on what their inaugural look should be on the road.

17. San Diego Wave – Balboa Park Kit (Third)

San Diego usually tries to swing for the fences with their jerseys. So, why a regression to the relatively plain? They have great team colors and outside of the sleeve cuffs and collar, they chose not to utilize them. It’s quite disappointing, especially when compared to the rest of the league’s set. The cuff and collar design is one that could have been fun to incorporate more on the jersey, but they chose to go plain and that makes us sad.

16. Gotham FC – Lady Liberty Kit (Third)

Gotham said let’s take this back to the 1980s, but they probably shouldn’t have in this case. Without a set of the old 3D glasses, your eyes are going to have serious problems staring at this jersey. Objectively, this could have been a lot better. And, given the place Lady Liberty holds in the semiquincentennial celebrations, this design is a travesty.

15. Denver Summit – Inaugural Evergreen Kit (Primary)

This jersey is pretty boring, but we will give it some grace. The color palette is nice, and this is a way of introducing it to their fanbase. They had a chance to do more with the powder blue and this is a rare situation where a jersey sponsor could actually help spruce this jersey up (no pun intended). But, Denver really didn’t consider creativity, and when you hold it up alongside the rest of the league, this is hopefully a lesson that they will learn about how their jerseys can better tell their club’s story with a more thoughtful approach to the design.

14. Utah Royals – Swarm Kit (Third)

This jersey actually had the potential to be great, but the bees that come off the lion’s mane design should be yellow to highlight it. Without the color, there is no swarm to be found. Unlike Denver’s jersey, the thing holding this back the most is the jersey sponsor, from the imagery to the fact it’s blasted across the main portion of the design. Utah has a lot to fix on this jersey…this is a case of an idea that could have been cool falling way flat.

13. Bay FC – Poppy Kit (Third)

Bay FC finally brings their poppy color front and center, and the color is nice! However, the black leaves you more confused about what their club’s color palette truly is. What knocks it back is the inexplicable decision to put BFC in place of their crest. They don’t have the brand power to go with just a secondary wordmark, and around the league you will likely never hear anyone refer to their club as BFC. They had a chance to bring all their club colors together finally, but made some really strange decisions with the execution.

12. Seattle Reign – Surge Kit (Third)

This jersey design is interesting. It’s described as representing “legacy in motion, a tribute to the foundation built over time and the next generation stepping forward to carry it on.” That feeling just isn’t present in this kit. It looks decent and it can serve as a capable third jersey, but the design doesn’t flow into something that generates inspiration. Something is eluding this look that could tie it all together, and that’s why it’s a bit lower.

11. Orlando Pride – Unity Kit (Secondary)

The inspiration behind this jersey (to honor the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting) is a noble one. The execution leaves something missing in how muted the colors are. Having bolder colors would have made this a righteous tribute. It’s still a fun jersey, but looking at it reminds us of what they could have done to make it even better.

10. Portland Thorns – Electric Boom Kit (Primary)

Portland fans have asked for the return of red jerseys and they get shades of pink and yellow. Well, they’re getting closer! The design is nice with the roses motif, and it’s one that could definitely grow on fans as they see it on the field.

9. NC Courage – Become Kit (Third)

This digs deep for a local tie, as the venus fly trap is indigenous to North Carolina. The crest and Nike Swoosh being a volt yellow with pink outline brings an unexpected pop to the jersey. This may not be one that fans around the league resonate with, but having the state carnivorous plant on the jersey might carry some weight with North Carolinians. It’s right in the middle of the pack as a result.

8. Boston Legacy – First Light Kit (Primary)

Boston wanted to use its first primary jersey to introduce the team colors to its fanbase. And while it’s a plain look, the main neon green with the black and pink trim really pop. They didn’t want any frills, just to make sure the stands are filled with neon green to establish their foundation. But, it would have been nice if they had decided to work another element into the design to really make their jersey stand out in more ways than just being full neon.

7. Houston Dash – Houston Chronicles (Third)

There is a lot about this jersey that is really cool! The use of the light blue, the design harkening back to Houston’s history and culture, the orange and pink trim coming through but not doing too much. It might have been better with a full color crest or even with just the orange added to it. But, this will look nice on the field and it brings back a color that was a part of their club’s history in a big way. It’s a nice addition to their collection.

6. Angel City – Flare Kit (Primary)

This jersey design is one of the best of the bunch this year. It’s a really well done look. The colors pop, and this gives you the feeling they wanted to conjure the emotions from their Daylight kit from a few years ago. The center crest does take away from the final result, even though the design is built to center around the crest. It would look incredible with the crest in its normal position on the left chest. Still, Angel City fans should be proud of this one, as it’s a very good kit. After this, just ban center crests.

5. Boston Legacy – Common Ground Kit (Secondary)

Boston went for it! While their primary jersey was plain with a purpose, this one could be the most memorable for their fans this season. Leaning on the neighborhoods surrounding their future home for inspiration, we got a very colorful design that also mimics the roads of Boston. Still, despite the orange, yellow and red on the jersey, your eyes are still drawn to the black, neon green, and pink that are their color. This is a great way to make a statement with one of your jerseys, and even if they want a more sleek look at home, it’s great they decided to go zany for the secondary. It really works.

4. Racing Louisville – Disco Kit (Third)

The more you look at this jersey, the more you get pulled into the feeling you’re in a nightclub listening to some slammin’ tunes watching light reflect off a disco ball that 9 times out of 10 was made in Louisville. The purple, the pink, the light green all flushed along the black jersey is terrific, creating a late night club effect with the design shaping the panels of a disco ball. As the night goes by and your mind becomes hazy with the thrill of the night and the bass turning your skeleton into a percussion instrument, this jersey will be there to remind you of that epic night. It’s a great pull for Racing and one of the best designs in the league.

3. Chicago Stars – Chicago DNA Kit (Primary)

This is excellent. Vertical stripes forms an incredible look for the Chicago Stars, and incorporating the baby blue from the city flag on a white background really gives it a pop unlike any of the other jerseys in the league. Adding the trim of navy blue and red with navy sleeve cuffs and a navy collar pulls it all together. It’s a breath of fresh air, and they didn’t have to reinvent the wheel to have one of the best looks in 2026.

2. KC Current – Storm Kit (Third)

We regret to inform you that the Current have done it. What a gorgeous look that they have as their third jersey. The teal pops incredibly off the dark blue jersey, with the lines flowing together like water runoff after a midnight storm. They seriously should consider making it their secondary and moving the teal to their primary after the season. It’s that good, and they did a wonderful job with it.

1. Washington Spirit – Spirit in Bloom Kit (Primary)

CHERRY BLOSSOMS! The Spirit hit a grand slam by giving the fans and players something they’ve demanded for years. It’s an art piece where the dots come together to form the pink and white cherry blossoms which have been a defining symbol of the District. It also officially introduces the Spirit Green as a primary club color in a memorable way. There’s some who may think it’s too busy, but that’s the point of the jersey. The dots unifying to form a cherry blossom motif is a great way to celebrate how the cherry blossoms bring this town together. It will be cherry blossom season all season at Rowdy Audi, and they’re going to look incredible on the field and in the stands. Plus, pair this jersey with some flowers (hey favorite flower company!) and you have the recipe for happiness all season long. Look good, feel good, play good…this is why the Spirit’s jersey is at the top.

There they are, the 2026 NWSL jerseys from 18th to 1st. The NWSL should continue to take these swings with their jerseys on an annual basis to bring creativity into each club’s traditions. If they do, the kits will only get better and create unique looks that resonate with their fans.