In a joint unveiling, Major League Soccer and adidas have introduced the 2026 Archive Collection, a line of retro-inspired third kits for eight clubs across the league. This year’s collection features Austin FC, Chicago Fire FC, Houston Dynamo FC, CF Montréal, Orlando City SC, Philadelphia Union, Real Salt Lake and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
At the heart of the collection is a celebration of each club and city’s history. Chicago’s kit draws inspiration from its 2000 away jersey, while Montréal pays tribute to the club’s inaugural 1993 season. Vancouver, meanwhile, looks even further back, incorporating elements inspired by the former Vancouver 86ers.
Other clubs have turned toward the culture and identity of their cities. Austin FC’s “Violet Crown” kit takes inspiration from one of Austin’s longtime nicknames, while Real Salt Lake embraces Utah’s connection to skiing and the surrounding mountains. Philadelphia Union also incorporates elements of the city’s broader sports identity into its design.
Together, the kits continue MLS and adidas’ effort to blend football, fashion and nostalgia. Rather than simply recreating uniforms from the past, the Archive Collection gives clubs an opportunity to reinterpret familiar pieces of their history through a modern lens.
Now in its third year, the Archive Collection has become one of MLS’ more distinctive annual releases. The 2026 edition shows how a jersey can be more than something worn on the pitch — it can tell the story of a club, its city and the history that shaped them.
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