MLS clubs have started to roll out their 2026 kits, and the early signs are that this year’s designs are more about clean looks than wild ideas. Some teams have leaned into heritage, others have stayed close to what they know, and a few have tried to push a new identity.
FC Dallas’ new shirt stands out for the way it goes back to the basics. The club has gone for a traditional feel that looks like it belongs in the team’s history, with a design that should be easy for fans to connect with straight away. It is the kind of kit that does not need a big story to sell it, because it looks right the moment you see it.
Inter Miami, though, have taken a different path. With Lionel Messi still the face of the project, expectations are always high, but the new look is a safer play. The club has stayed close to its established style instead of taking a big swing, delivering a kit that will be popular for its simplicity but may leave some wanting something bolder.
As more 2026 kits are revealed across the league, the early debate is already taking shape: should clubs aim for a classic design that never dates, or is this the time to be brave and make something fresh? With several standout releases already in circulation, the race to be crowned kit of the year is under way, and it is clear that the best designs are the ones that feel like they belong on the pitch as much as they do in the stands.
