“This is a tradition that started in 2014. The inaugural hoops kit was the first place we saw our gold star for the 2013 championship,” said Chad Reynolds, Senior Director of Sporting KC, Brand. “Nearly a decade later, the wheel kit has become an iconic part of our brand. When you see the Sporting Blue and Dark Indigo wheels, you know it’s Sporting Kansas City. It’s who we are.”
An iconic look in the sport globally, the hoop design with alternating blue and light blue stripes has become synonymous with Sporting Kansas City in American soccer over the past decade. The new Hoops 4.0 kit expands on a collection of popular hoop kits worn by the team previously with distinct variations introduced in 2014-15, 2016-17 and 2021-22.
Sporting’s new jersey continues the tradition with subtle horizontal Dark Indigo stripes – recalling the memorable kits worn since 2016-17 – and the jersey also includes Dark Indigo trim around the neck, sleeves and sides to complete the clean, stylish look. class. Sporting Blue shorts and socks complete the new primary jersey, which can also be worn interchangeably with Dark Indigo shorts or socks.
Authentic kits are also highlighted by specialized elements emblazoned on both the inside and outside of the back neck. Above the player’s name and number is an interlocking diamond SKC, continuing the custom of including dabs of diamond in sports kit designs. Additionally, a neck tape adorned within the uniforms is accented with the club motto “Paint The Wall” and the year 2013 in honor of the 10th anniversary of Sporting’s MLS Cup triumph and tradition of painting the league wall at the Children’s Mercy Park.
Exclusive supplier to Major League Soccer, adidas have supplied the club’s kits since the inaugural season in 1996 and the adidas Three Stripes run along the shoulders in addition to the adidas performance logo across the chest. Compass Minerals debuted as Sporting KC’s official front kit partner in 2022 and the company logo is once again prominently featured on the front of all Sporting KC kits as part of a long-term first team partnership as official supplier of plant nutrition and club rooms.
Sporting Kansas City is the first and only Major League Soccer club to unveil the team’s 2023 jersey on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, a new subscription service from Apple and MLS that will stream every regular season game, Audi playoffs MLS Cup and League Cup without blackouts. Notably, all MLS in 2023 jerseys feature the new MLS/Apple crest on the left sleeve of the jersey to amplify the decade-long partnership.
Sporting is also partnering with Children’s Mercy Kansas City on a KITS (Kindness In The Schools) initiative by delivering the team’s new primary jerseys to students at 30 local elementary and middle schools in conjunction with tomorrow’s National Random Acts of Kindness Day. Each school will surprise three students on Friday with custom jerseys with “Kindness” above the number 23 on the back as part of the RED CARD anti-bullying campaign.
Led by head coach Peter Vermes, Sporting will kick off the 2023 season away to the Portland Timbers with the first regular season game in club history on Saturday, February 25. The season opener will air live for free on MLS Season Pass at 9:30am CT and Sporting will host a season kick-off party at Chicken N Pickle in Overland Park.
The team’s highly anticipated home schedule begins March 11 against the LA Galaxy at Children’s Mercy Park and season tickets are available by calling 888-4KC-GOAL or visiting SportingKC.com. Further ticket packages and promotions are also on sale, as well as tickets to the club’s first eight regular season home games.
