NFL expands Rivalries uniform program to AFC South and NFC North
The league has confirmed a three-season rotation for the new kits, with remaining divisions scheduled to join the initiative by 2028.
The National Football League, in partnership with Nike, has unveiled the 2026 Rivalries uniforms for the eight teams competing in the AFC South and NFC North divisions. The reveal marks the second year of the league’s dedicated rivalry kit initiative, which was originally launched in 2025 to introduce specialised apparel for divisional matchups.
Under the current framework, these uniforms are designated for use against divisional rivals and will remain part of each team’s uniform rotation for the next three seasons. This long-term integration ensures that the new designs sit alongside existing looks, providing a consistent visual identity for the specified games over the coming years.
The league has also finalised the 2026 schedule for the eight teams that participated in the program during its inaugural season. These teams are required to wear their Rivalries uniforms for a divisional game this year, continuing the momentum from the 2025 launch. Notable matchups include the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams, who will face each other in Week 16 wearing their respective rivalry kits.
For the newly added AFC South and NFC North teams, specific debut dates have been confirmed. The Indianapolis Colts will wear their new uniforms in Week 3 against the Houston Texans, while the Green Bay Packers are scheduled to debut their kits in Week 5 against the Chicago Bears. Other confirmed dates include the Detroit Lions versus the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8, and the Jacksonville Jaguars versus the Indianapolis Colts also in Week 8.
Further down the schedule, the Tennessee Titans will face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 10, and the Houston Texans will play the Indianapolis Colts in Week 11. The Minnesota Vikings are set to wear their Rivalries uniforms in Week 15 against the Detroit Lions, while the Chicago Bears will debut their kits in Week 16 against the Green Bay Packers.
The program is set to expand further in the coming years. The AFC West and NFC East divisions are confirmed to join the initiative in 2027, followed by the AFC North and NFC South in 2028. This phased rollout allows the league to manage the production and distribution of the specialised uniforms across all 32 teams over a three-year period.
