Minnesota Vikings Logo History: 1961 to Today
Posted by JerseyZenith on Oct 26th 2026
- Karl Hubenthal designs the horned helmet and purple and gold uniforms; Norseman and horn logos.
- The table below runs from 1961 to 2024.
- Photos show uniforms and equipment; standalone logo artwork is not reproduced.
This guide covers the Minnesota Vikings logo and helmet marks from the first design to 2026, mostly from Wikipedia and team news. It does not cover every minor change.
Minnesota Vikings logo history timeline
| Year | Change | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Karl Hubenthal designs the horned helmet and purple and gold uniforms; Norseman and horn logos | Inaugural look |
| 1966–1996 | Norseman used as the primary logo (SportsLogos, search summary) | Long-running mark |
| 1980 | Facemask changes from gray to white | Small update |
| 1985 | Facemask turns purple | Small update |
| 1996 | Norseman added to the sleeves; stripes toned down; TV numbers to the shoulders | Late-90s update |
| 2006 | Uniform redesign; helmet horn more defined | First big change in 46 years |
| 2013 | Norseman revised (unveiled February 14); new uniforms April 25 | Current logo |
| 2024 | White helmet with the Winter Warrior alternate (June 6) | First white helmet |
This guide describes logos in words and tables. Standalone logo artwork is not reproduced.
1961: the Norseman and the horn
Los Angeles sports cartoonist Karl Hubenthal designed the Norseman and the original uniforms, including the horned helmet, according to ESPN. The two main logos were a blond Norseman profile and a white Viking horn. The purple and gold came from the University of Washington, where first general manager Bert Rose had gone to school, per the same ESPN account; one family notice credits the horn requirement to coach Norm Van Brocklin, a secondhand claim.
1966 to 2012: a steady Norseman
SportsLogos describes the Norseman as the primary logo from 1966 to 1996, and the team adjusted the shades of purple and gold in 1997. In 1996 the Norseman went on the sleeves and TV numbers moved to the shoulders. The 2006 redesign made the helmet horn more defined.
2013 to now
The Vikings revised the Norseman logo on February 14, 2013, and unveiled new uniforms on April 25. In 2024 the Winter Warrior alternate introduced the team's first white helmet. Minnesota's 2026 classic uniform uses a vintage horn that is longer than the modern one, with a gray facemask.
Vikings helmet and logo placement
The horned helmet has been the team's signature since 1961. The facemask was gray, then white (1980), then purple (1985). A white helmet appeared with the Winter Warrior alternate in 2024; the classic 2026 helmet has a longer vintage horn and a gray facemask.
Reading the Vikings timeline: old logo, new logo
Fans search for the Vikings logo, the Vikings old logo and the Vikings new logo, and this page answers all three. The newest entry is the last row of the table; earlier rows are older logos and wordmarks. A logo can change on the helmet, on the sleeves or on the chest at different times, so the same year can appear in more than one row. To date an older jersey, compare the product photo with the table: look at the wordmark, the sleeve mark and the facemask color. Where the sources we read disagree or give no year, the table leaves the year out rather than guess.
Logo changes and jersey changes
A logo and a jersey do not always change together. For the uniform side of the story, read the Minnesota Vikings uniform history and the Minnesota Vikings jerseys 2026 guide. For retired-player styles, see legends jerseys.
Old logo, new logo: which jersey to buy
If you like an older look, Minnesota Vikings throwback jerseys is the place to start. If you want what the team wears now, choose the current home or away jersey. Nike Game is the everyday tier and Limited adds sewn-on numbers; compare them in the Nike Game vs Limited vs Elite guide, and check the NFL jersey size chart. Men's, women's and youth sizes are available. Logo patches and decals vary by style, so look at the product photo before you order.
Minnesota Vikings Logo History FAQ
What is the Vikings logo?
A blond Norseman profile, with a white horn on the helmet.
Who designed the Vikings logo?
Karl Hubenthal, in 1961.
When did the Vikings change their logo?
The Norseman was revised on February 14, 2013.
Do the Vikings have a white helmet?
Yes, since the 2024 Winter Warrior alternate.