COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Columbus Crew have unveiled their new “Crafted for Excellence” kit, ending the era of the team’s so-called “Charlie Brown” gold uniform. The latest jersey, which features a traditional highlighter-yellow base and black shoulder stripes, introduces a collar for the first time since 2018. The collar is black with a smaller black stripe at its base, and the design includes teal accents as a nod to the Columbus city flag. The kit’s texture is inspired by a soccer pitch, and the back of the shirt reads, “Wholeheartedly committed to crafting excellence since 1996.”
The new kit will be worn for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. This year will also mark the final season of the “Goosebumps” black kit as the team’s secondary jersey.
The Crew will begin the 2026 season next Saturday under new manager Henrik Rydström, who replaces Wilfried Nancy. Nancy, who led Columbus to the 2023 MLS Cup, departed to manage Celtic FC, but was dismissed after just one month.
Columbus opens the season on Feb. 21 at the Portland Timbers, with kickoff scheduled for 10:30 p.m. EST. The Crew’s home opener at ScotsMiracle-Gro Field is set for March 7 against the Chicago Fire. Columbus is aiming to reach the MLS Cup Playoffs for a fourth consecutive season, a feat last accomplished from 2008 to 2011.
The 2026 campaign will be the final MLS season before the league transitions to a European-style calendar. After a short season from February to May 2027, the full 2027-28 season will run from July 2027 to May 2028.
This year, MLS will pause from late May to mid-July for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. Columbus will serve as a base camp for Ecuador, which will compete in Group E against Ivory Coast, Curacao, and Germany.