Charlotte, N.C., February 11, 2026
Charlotte FC has unveiled its new primary kit, named the ‘Carolina Kit: Crowns Up,’ designed by Adidas. This fresh uniform features a Carolina blue base with white sleeves and crown-inspired details, representing both the club’s heritage and future vision. It aims to connect with fans while honoring the team’s origins as it prepares for its fifth season in Major League Soccer. The kit will debut on March 7.
CHARLOTTE, N.C.
Charlotte FC Unveils New Primary Kit for 2026 MLS Season
Charlotte FC has officially unveiled its new primary kit, the “Carolina Kit: Crowns Up”, by Adidas, ahead of the 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) season. The club released the new uniform on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, in anticipation of its fifth season in Major League Soccer. This latest kit aims to combine a familiar aesthetic with a progressive outlook for the club’s future.
Design Details and Inspiration
The Carolina Kit: Crowns Up features a rich Carolina blue base complemented by crisp white sleeves and shoulder panels, offering a fresh yet recognizable appearance. This color combination reinforces Charlotte FC’s established identity while ensuring a strong visual contrast on the field. A distinctive element of the design is the decorative trim found around both the collar and sleeve cuffs, which draws inspiration from crown motifs. These subtle details directly reference the club’s “For The Crown” identity, embedding the theme within the shirt’s design rather than displaying it overtly.
Further reinforcing this symbolic connection, the phrase “For The Crown” is printed on the back of the collar. This detail aims to strengthen the emotional bond between the kit, the club, and its supporters. The jersey also incorporates a state map on the lower hem, featuring the outlines of North and South Carolina, and the club crest is prominently placed on the left chest. According to Taylor Banner, the club’s creative director, the design process for the kit spanned two years, with a focus on honoring the “OG Carolina kit” that defined the club’s early days. The new kit will be worn for the 2026 and 2027 MLS seasons.
Connecting to Club Roots and Future Vision
The “Carolina Kit: Crowns Up” pays homage to the team’s original kit, connecting fans to Charlotte FC’s roots while also pushing towards its future. The design stands on the foundation of the club’s five years in the Queen City, reinforcing a long-term vision to be progressive, collective, and ambitious, while staying true to its heritage. This initiative aligns with Charlotte FC celebrating its fifth anniversary. The club’s crest itself features a four-pointed crown, symbolizing the four wards of Uptown Charlotte and the city’s nickname, the “Queen City,” which references Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The team is frequently referred to as “The Crown,” a nickname that has also been adopted by its affiliated reserve team, Crown Legacy FC. The new primary kit is set to make its seasonal debut on March 7.
Broader League Context
The unveiling of Charlotte FC’s new kit is part of a larger trend across Major League Soccer. With the 2026 MLS season approaching its February 21 opening weekend, many clubs have begun to reveal their new jerseys. On the same Tuesday that Charlotte FC presented its new kit, 17 MLS clubs released brand new jerseys for the upcoming season. These new designs frequently incorporate local culture and draw inspiration from various elements, including music, entertainment, and club identities, reflecting a league-wide effort to connect with and inspire passionate supporters.
Charlotte FC Kit Evolution
Charlotte FC’s journey through its kits reflects a blend of tradition and innovation. The club’s first primary jersey, also named the “Carolina Kit,” was introduced in December 2021 for the inaugural 2022 MLS season. This kit featured a blue primary color with white sleeves and included the outlines of North and South Carolina on the lower-left corner.
Alongside its primary kits, Charlotte FC has also featured several distinctive secondary and third kits:
The Newly Minted Community Kit (2022)
This secondary kit honored Charlotte’s historical role as a home for the United States Mint. It was a black jersey with radiant mint-colored lettering and was a fan-favorite, worn during the 2022 season.
The Carolina Kit: Explore (2024-2025)
Serving as the most recent home kit before the current release, the Explore Kit expanded upon the original Carolina Kit’s design. It drew inspiration from North Carolina’s varied topography, from mountains to coast. This kit was notably associated with a period of significant success for the team, as Charlotte FC finished fifth and fourth in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, respectively, achieving a regular-season record of 25-13-6 while wearing it.
The Heritage Kit
Charlotte FC also introduced a third kit, the Heritage Kit, mid-season. This design paid tribute to the former professional soccer team, the Carolina Lightnin’ of the American Soccer League (1981-83), featuring a neon yellow base with blue accents.
Fortress Kit (2025)
In 2025, Charlotte FC returned to a black secondary uniform known as the Fortress Kit. This kit featured sleek silver lettering and a crown pattern across the jersey, with the CLTFC monogram replacing the club badge. The team had a regular season record of 4-5-1 in this kit and also secured a 7-6 penalty shootout victory over New York City FC in the playoffs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the name of Charlotte FC’s new primary kit?
- Charlotte FC’s new primary kit is named the “Carolina Kit: Crowns Up”.
- When was Charlotte FC’s new primary kit unveiled?
- Charlotte FC’s new primary kit was officially unveiled on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
- Who manufactured the new Charlotte FC kit?
- The new Charlotte FC kit was manufactured by Adidas.
- What are the main colors and design elements of the new kit?
- The Carolina Kit: Crowns Up features a rich Carolina blue base with white sleeves and shoulder panels. It includes decorative trim around the collar and sleeve cuffs inspired by crown motifs, the phrase “For The Crown” on the back of the collar, a state map on the lower hem, and the club crest on the left chest.
- What does the new kit symbolize for Charlotte FC?
- The new kit symbolizes a connection to Charlotte FC’s roots while representing a progressive vision for the future, standing on the foundation of five years in the Queen City. It also reinforces the club’s “For The Crown” identity.
- When will the new kit debut?
- The new primary kit is set to make its seasonal debut on March 7.
Key Features of the Carolina Kit: Crowns Up
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Kit Name | Carolina Kit: Crowns Up |
| Manufacturer | Adidas |
| Primary Colors | Carolina blue base with white sleeves and shoulder panels |
| Key Design Elements | Crown-inspired trim on collar/cuffs, “For The Crown” on back of collar, state map on lower hem, club crest on left chest |
| Symbolism | Homage to original kit, progressive vision, connection to Queen City nickname, club’s “For The Crown” identity, uniting fans |
| Season of Use | 2026 and 2027 MLS seasons |
| Unveiling Date | Tuesday, February 10, 2026 |
| Seasonal Debut | March 7 |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
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