Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union go ‘all in’ on 1776 Jersey
After 16 years, they finally stopped playing it safe and went all in.
The Philadelphia Union unveiled their new primary jersey for the 2026-2027 seasons on Tuesday. The “1776 Kit” features a plethora of references to the city’s importance in the formation of the country in which it resides.
The Union have always kept a theme of the revolutionary spirit primarily utilizing bits and pieces of Benjamin Franklin’s 1754 “Join or Die” political cartoon to do so. It depicts a snake sectioned off into the British colonies and was a prominent figure in the prelude to the American Revolution.
To connect American roots to modern-day soccer, the club features “Join or Die” banners hanging around Subaru Park, merchandise with antiquated political rhetoric, and the coveted rattlesnake mascot: Phang.
A mere walk around Subaru Park could give a foreigner a basic U.S. history lesson.
Since their first season in 2010 the Union have had a generic navy and gold kit. But heading into a summer that will bring the FIFA World Cup to town, the club is finally embracing boldness, fully rounding out their revolutionary theme.
Philly, this kit is for you.
Buy now 🔔 https://t.co/lRuteE1F2M#DOOP pic.twitter.com/PyGBjopf0Y
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) February 10, 2026
As a young fan I noticed the hints, so I’m very pleased to see they are diving in and committing to the theme of prideful roots. But the kit doesn’t have a patriotic “‘MERICA” feel. Instead it’s more centralized to Philadelphia which I think works perfectly.
The Philadelphia 76ers share a revolutionary theme; however, they lean heavily into red white and blue with Stars and Stripes. It presents their uniforms as more of a team U.S.A./patriotic cosplay look. The Union’s approach keeps everything grounded to the city and evokes a stronger identity in my opinion. It’s a revolutionary theme filtered through Philly’s own personality.
The jersey remains recognizable with the original colors still at play, but layered details make it stand out. The number “1776” appears twice on the jersey; once on the bottom right in gold. The other sits between the Union crest and Adidas logo with the full birthdate of America: July 4, 1776. Stars, stripes, various documents like the Declaration of Independence, various signatures, and Franklin’s face on the top left round out the front design.
The jersey’s layering pattern wraps around the shoulders, while the back features a matte navy finish. Above the number is the same sectioned-off snake seen in Franklin’s “Join or Die.”
The lower half is more generic, with three gold stripes on either side of the shorts and a navy base with no layering like the jersey possesses. The socks feature a snake on the front of each which pops undeniably off the navy coloring.
Beyond the historical nods, the kit manages to remain modern and sharp on the pitch while still popping in close-up shots. The layered details give depth without feeling cluttered and all logos still stand out.
The 1776 kit speaks to the fan experience at Union events as well. The already historical banners, merchandise, and Phang alongside players wearing kits that now reflect these values create a tangible connection between history and sport.
Outside the 76ers, few national organizations directly tie in their respective city’s history — and the Union’s 1776 kit continues the prideful tradition of respecting Philadelphia’s roots.
