NFL Rivalry Uniforms: The Nike Rivalries Program Explained
Posted by JerseyZenith on Oct 26th 2026
- The program started in 2025 with 8 teams (AFC East and NFC West).
- The 2026 class is the NFC North and AFC South.
- The AFC West and NFC East follow in 2027; the AFC North and NFC South in 2028.
- Each team wears its uniform once a season against a division rival.
This guide covers the NFL Rivalries uniforms program: classes, names and dates. It does not list jerseys for sale; our Rivalries jerseys page does.
What are the NFL Rivalries uniforms?
The Rivalries uniforms are a Nike and NFL program that gives each team one special uniform to wear for a home game against a division rival. They launched in 2025 with eight teams and roll out division by division: eight teams join in 2026, eight more in 2027 and the last eight in 2028. Our Rivalries jerseys page sells the jerseys; this guide explains the program.
The 2025 class: AFC East and NFC West
The first eight uniforms were unveiled in August 2025. Teams keep them in rotation after the debut year, so the same uniforms return in 2026.
| Team | Name | 2025 debut | 2026 game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bills | Cold Front | Oct. 5 vs. Patriots | Nov. 22 vs. Dolphins |
| Miami Dolphins | Dark Waters | Sept. 29 vs. Jets | Not confirmed |
| New England Patriots | Nor'Easter | Nov. 13 vs. Jets | Dec. 6 vs. Bills |
| New York Jets | Gotham City Football Club | Dec. 7 vs. Dolphins | Not confirmed |
| Arizona Cardinals | Built to Last | Sept. 25 vs. Seahawks | Not confirmed |
| Los Angeles Rams | Midnight Mode | Nov. 16 vs. Seahawks | Not confirmed |
| San Francisco 49ers | For the Faithful | Jan. 4, 2026 vs. Seahawks | Dec. 13 vs. Rams |
| Seattle Seahawks | High-Decibel Zone | Dec. 18 vs. Rams | Dec. 25 vs. Rams |
The 2026 class: NFC North and AFC South
The 2026 class went on sale on September 1. Dates and opponents below come from a Fox Sports summary; only three names were given.
| Team | Game | Name |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | Dec. 25 vs. Packers | Not specified |
| Detroit Lions | Nov. 1 vs. Vikings | Defend the Den |
| Green Bay Packers | Oct. 11 vs. Bears | Not specified |
| Minnesota Vikings | Dec. 20 vs. Lions | Not specified |
| Houston Texans | Nov. 19 vs. Colts | Not specified |
| Indianapolis Colts | Sept. 27 vs. Texans | Not specified |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Nov. 1 vs. Colts | Bold City |
| Tennessee Titans | Nov. 15 vs. Jaguars | Music City |
The 2027 and 2028 classes
The program is due to cover the AFC West and NFC East in 2027 and the AFC North and NFC South in 2028. No designs or dates have been announced, as our 2027 preview notes.
First season, rotation and how to buy
A team's debut season is the first year its Rivalries uniform is worn, and after that the uniform stays in the team's rotation for about three years, according to reports. For team-specific details, see the Bills Rivalries jerseys, Patriots Rivalries jerseys and 49ers Rivalries jerseys. Compare tiers in the Nike tier guide.
How Rivalries uniforms differ from alternates and throwbacks
A Rivalries uniform is a one-game design tied to a division matchup, while an alternate is any extra uniform and a throwback copies an older look. Rivalries uniforms still count as special uniforms, so they sit alongside the other options in a team's lineup. Our throwback guide explains the older looks and our alternate jerseys page shows what we carry.
Rivalries uniform names and themes
Many 2025 designs carry a theme name: Cold Front for the Bills, Dark Waters for the Dolphins, Nor'Easter for the Patriots, Gotham City Football Club for the Jets, Built to Last for the Cardinals, Midnight Mode for the Rams, For the Faithful for the 49ers and High-Decibel Zone for the Seahawks. In 2026 the Lions use Defend the Den, the Jaguars Bold City and the Titans Music City; other names were not specified in the source we read.
What to check before you buy a Rivalries jersey
Fan gear for the 2025 class went on sale on September 10, 2025, and the 2026 class on September 1, according to reports. Because colors differ by team, open the team page, compare Game and Limited, and use the size chart for fit. Not every team's Rivalries jersey is in our catalog today, so check Rivalries jerseys for the list.
Rivalry uniforms in the NFL: other ways to search
The program is also called rivalry uniforms NFL fans see on game day, rivalries uniforms NFL and NFL Nike Rivalries uniforms. New NFL rivalry uniforms arrive each season, and early images are sometimes called an NFL rivalry uniforms leak. The NFL Rivalries uniforms 2025 class and the NFL rivalries 2025 uniforms are the first eight listed above.
Frequently asked questions
What are NFL rivalry uniforms?
Special Nike uniforms that each team wears for one home game against a division rival.
Which teams have NFL Rivalries uniforms in 2026?
The NFC North and AFC South teams join the AFC East and NFC West teams from 2025.
When do Rivalries uniforms come out for other teams?
The AFC West and NFC East follow in 2027, and the AFC North and NFC South in 2028.
How many times is a Rivalries uniform worn?
Once a season, in one home game against a divisional opponent.
Where can I buy Nike NFL Rivalries uniforms?
Our Rivalries jerseys page lists the styles we carry.
Sources
- Fox Sports, NFL Rivalries jerseys and helmets for 2026
- NFL.com, Rivalries uniforms revealed for AFC East and NFC West (search summary only)
- ABC7 New York, Rivalries uniforms 2025 breakdown (search summary only)
- NBC Sports Bay Area, Rivalries uniforms 2026 (search summary only; 2027 and 2028 rollout)
- Our Rivalries 2027 news page
- 2026 game dates for the 2025-class teams come from our own team guides