Los Angeles is a city of many faces, a sprawling metropolis without a single, defining architectural style. But within its diverse landscape, one aesthetic rose to prominence in the 1920s, capturing the city’s spirit of ambition and possibility: Art Deco. Now, a century later, that same influence has inspired the latest kit for the Los Angeles Football Club.
LAFC unveiled its 2026 Primary Kit today, , drawing direct inspiration from the Art Deco movement that shaped so much of Los Angeles’ early 20th-century design. The kit’s design echoes the geometric patterns and bold lines characteristic of the style, a nod to the city’s architectural heritage.
The connection isn’t merely aesthetic. The club specifically points to the Grand Lobby at BMO Stadium, completed in 2016, as a contemporary example of Art Deco’s enduring influence in Los Angeles. The stadium’s lobby, with its stylized ornamentation and luxurious feel, served as a key reference point for the kit’s creators. The new kit, isn’t just a visual update. it’s a deliberate attempt to connect the club’s identity with the city’s history and cultural landscape.
Art Deco, as it flourished in Los Angeles, wasn’t simply about ornamentation. It represented a forward-looking vision, a belief in progress and the power of design to shape a better future. Buildings constructed in this style were often seen as symbols of modernity and aspiration, bathed in the California sunlight and offering a canvas for realizing dreams. LAFC’s adoption of this aesthetic suggests a similar ambition – a desire to represent not just a football club, but a city constantly reinventing itself.
The timing of the kit’s release is also significant. It arrives as LAFC prepares for its ninth season, marking another chapter in the club’s relatively short but impactful history. Since its inception, LAFC has quickly established itself as a force in Major League Soccer, winning the MLS Cup in and consistently attracting a passionate fanbase. The new kit, isn’t just a cosmetic change; it’s a statement of intent as the club looks to build on its past successes.
The choice to focus on Art Deco also sets LAFC apart. While many sports teams draw inspiration from their city’s history, few delve into such a specific and sophisticated architectural movement. It suggests a level of thoughtfulness and attention to detail that resonates with Los Angeles’ own artistic sensibilities. The club isn’t simply appropriating a local aesthetic; it’s engaging with a complex and meaningful part of the city’s cultural identity.
The unveiling of the 2026 Primary Kit is more than just a merchandise launch. It’s a symbolic gesture, a way for LAFC to reaffirm its connection to the city it represents. By embracing the Art Deco aesthetic, the club is tapping into a rich vein of Los Angeles history, celebrating the city’s architectural legacy, and signaling its own aspirations for the future. As LAFC enters its ninth season, the kit serves as a visual reminder of the club’s ambition and its commitment to representing the spirit of Los Angeles.
The kit’s design, while rooted in the past, also feels distinctly modern. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of Art Deco, a style that continues to inspire designers and architects today. LAFC’s interpretation of the aesthetic is both respectful of its origins and forward-looking in its execution, creating a kit that is both timeless and contemporary.
The launch of the kit is expected to generate significant excitement among LAFC supporters, who have consistently demonstrated their loyalty and passion for the club. The combination of a striking design and a meaningful connection to the city’s history is likely to make the 2026 Primary Kit one of the club’s most popular offerings to date. It’s a kit that not only looks good on the pitch but also tells a story about the city and the club’s place within it.
