Oakland Raiders Uniform History: Black and Gold to Silver and Black
Posted by JerseyZenith on Oct 25th 2026
- Oakland Raiders uniform history starts with black and gold in 1960 and silver and black in 1963.
- The original Raiders jersey was black and gold in 1960; Nike makes today’s silver and black.
- The first Raiders uniforms in 1960 were black and gold.
- Al Davis introduced silver and black in 1963.
- The Raiders wore white at home for the first time on September 28, 2008.
- The move to Las Vegas changed only the city name on wordmarks.
This guide covers the main looks of the Raiders from 1960 to 2026. It does not list every pants and sock combination.
Raiders uniform timeline
| Year | Change | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1960–1962 | Black and gold; Gothic numerals | The first Oakland uniforms |
| 1963 | Silver and black; helmet logo added | Al Davis' design, still used |
| 1964 | Logo background turns black | Minor change |
| 1971 | Black numerals on white jerseys | Still used on the white jersey |
| 2008 | White at home for the first time | September 28 vs. the Chargers |
| 2009 | AFL Legacy 1960s throwbacks | Debut of the white throwback |
| 2016 | White Color Rush | White jersey with silver numbers |
| 2020 | Las Vegas wordmark | No other design change |
The Raiders jerseys 2026 guide shows which of these looks the team wears this year.
Black and gold beginnings (1960 to 1962)
The team was founded in 1960. Wikipedia says an Oakland newspaper contest picked the name "Oakland Señors," but the owners changed it to Raiders nine days later. The original uniforms were black and gold with Gothic numerals, and the helmets were black with a white stripe and no logo. In a rare move the jerseys showed the player's full name on the back, before it became only the surname in 1963.
Silver and black (1963 to today)
When Al Davis became head coach and general manager in 1963, he changed the colors to silver and black and added a helmet logo: a shield with "RAIDERS" at the top, crossed cutlasses and a masked, helmeted Raider. The logo background went from silver to black in 1964. Silver helmets, silver pants and either black or white jerseys have been the standard since. In 1971 the white jerseys went to black numerals, which they still use. The 1994 75th-anniversary season was the lone exception.
Throwbacks and special uniforms (2008 to today)
On September 28, 2008 the Raiders wore white at home for the first time, a decision made by coach Lane Kiffin in his last game because of the heat. In 2009 they wore 1960s throwback jerseys for games against former AFL teams. In 2016 they wore a white Color Rush jersey with white pants. Since 2018 they have worn the white throwback jersey, with silver numbers edged in black, with silver pants and black socks, a style reminiscent of the 1970 road set. In 2012 and 2013 the team wore black cleats as a tribute to Al Davis.
Oakland, Los Angeles, Las Vegas
The silver and black look stayed the same as the team moved. Wikipedia says no changes were made to the uniforms or logos in the move to Las Vegas except changing the city name on wordmarks. That is why "Oakland Raiders jersey" and "Las Vegas Raiders jersey" searches lead to the same basic jersey. If you want a retro style from before 2020, look at the throwback options.
The shield and the pirate
The first Raiders logo, in 1960, was a pirate wearing a football helmet and an eye patch on a gold football with two crossed swords. Al Davis replaced it in 1963 with the shield that is still used: "RAIDERS" over two crossed cutlasses and a Raider in a helmet with a black eye patch. The artwork has had only small color changes over the years, which is why every Raiders jersey you buy today carries the same shield.
Raiders throwbacks you can wear today
The classic silver and black is in the home and away jerseys. For the current stars, shop Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers. The Raiders have no retired numbers, which is explained in the Raiders jersey numbers guide. To design your own, use the 3D jersey designer, and for everything else start at the Las Vegas Raiders jerseys page.
Raiders helmet and logo history
The Raiders’ first helmets in 1960 to 1962 were black with a white stripe and no logo. In 1963 Al Davis introduced the silver helmet with a shield logo, and the Raiders helmet logo has stayed essentially the same since. The 1994 anniversary season was the lone year the team wore the 1963 helmets with the 1970 silver away numbers. The silver helmet has not changed since the 1960s, and ColorWay Sports says no white or alternate helmet shell is planned for 2026. Searches for a las vegas raiders helmet, raiders helmets or a new Raiders helmet lead to this unchanged silver design.
A text-only look at the logo: in 1960 the pirate logo wore a football helmet and an eye patch on a gold football with two white swords. The 1963 shield has "RAIDERS" at the top, two crossed cutlasses and a masked Raider head. The background changed from silver to black in 1964. Raiders throwback uniforms include the white throwback with silver numbers, and the 1960s throwbacks of 2009. See the Raiders uniforms 2026 guide. Browse the legends jerseys.
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Raiders uniform history FAQ
What were the original Raiders colors?
Black and gold, from 1960 to 1962.
When did the Raiders switch to silver and black?
In 1963, when Al Davis became head coach and general manager.
Did the Raiders change uniforms when they moved to Las Vegas?
No. The only change was the city name on wordmarks.
When did the Raiders first wear white at home?
On September 28, 2008, against the Chargers.