Could UCLA’s iconic jerseys look a bit different in 2026? On Friday it was announced that the NCAA has approved commercial jersey patches for college uniforms. The ruling will come into effect on August 1st and it could result with the Bruins adding a jersey sponsor for the 2026 season.
It makes sense with how much college sports has changed in the NIL era, that it’s only fitting that the uniforms could have sponsors too. Sports jersey sponsorships has grown in popularity in recent years, with the NBA, WNBA and MLB all already having sponsors on their jerseys.
Could UCLA athletics use the jersey sponsorship as additional revenue for different programs? It seems like a logical thing to do, with fundraising being as important as ever for college athletics.
Despite it being a sign of the times, it’s unfortunate that iconic college uniforms could now include advertisements, which would take away from some timeless looks. It’s hard to imagine UCLA’s blue and gold uniforms with a sponsorship patch and the same could be said for USC, Notre Dame and Alabama’s classic uniform designs.
“Effective Aug. 1, all Division I teams will be permitted up to two additional commercial logos on their uniforms and apparel and one additional commercial logo on equipment during the preseason and regular season, with an additional commercial logo on uniforms and apparel for conference championships. The patches will be limited to a maximum of 4 square inches per logo,” The NCAA announced Friday. “Restrictions on the placement of the logos will be addressed by the respective playing rules subcommittees, oversight committees and sport committees (for National Collegiate championship sports), with the continued expectation that logos must be placed outside of designated sections of uniforms as necessary for officiating purposes.”
It’ll be hard for these programs to turn down sponsorship deals, with a jersey patch potentially affording you an extra impact player or two in NIL money.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Will UCLA add jersey sponsor to football uniforms in 2026?
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
