Islanders to have fans help design new third jersey
A major-league team is taking a different approach to adding to its identity.
On Wednesday, the New York Islanders announced a jersey design contest, inviting fans to submit ideas for the team’s third jersey, which will be introduced during the 2027-28 season.
The #Isles announced today the launch of a pioneering, fan-driven Third Jersey design contest for the 2027-28 season, marking the first time in National Hockey League history that a franchise has turned to its fanbase to create an official team sweater.
On a page seemingly taken from the book of a minor-league baseball team, one of the NHL’s longstanding franchises is opening the door for supporters to share their take on what the team should look like on the ice. The uniform will be used when the Islanders begin their 55th season in franchise history.
Islanders President of Business Operations, Kelly Cheeseman, says that the contest, the first of its kind in the NHL, will allow Islanders fans to have their voices heard.
“Islanders fans are among the most passionate in all of sports, and their emotional investment is the heartbeat of this franchise,” Cheeseman said in a release. “With this contest, we are breaking down traditional boundaries and inviting Isles Nation directly into the design room to do something that has never been done before in our league. Our Third Jersey will truly belong to the fans, born from their passion and chosen by their voice.”
A jersey designer has been created, allowing fans to pick from a base design that features all 15 of the Islanders’ base designs from their history. They can create any combination of colors to fill out the look, including using non-primary colors. Submissions will be taken until July 24, which will then create a public vote in August. The creator of the winning jersey design will receive a team-signed jersey, as well as tickets to the uniform’s debut during the 2027-28 campaign.
The organization has had some unique looks over the years. From the traditional blue, orange and white from the inaugural season and into the early ’90s, to the infamous Fisherman Jack sweaters, before the return to the blue and orange at the turn of the century, the Isles have set themselves apart. They created many alternate uniforms (for better or worse) to spice up their look, especially during the franchise’s lean years.