Worlds 2026 Is Also Played on the Jersey: The Tradition of Team Kits

Every time a major international tournament approaches, there's a conversation running in parallel to the one about drafts, favorites and upsets: the one about jerseys. As reported by Movistar eSports, which has gathered the kits of the teams qualified for Worlds 2026 in a single article, the custom of releasing exclusive designs for the big events is more alive than ever, and the vast majority of pro organizations are embracing it once again.

It may seem like a minor detail next to what happens on the Rift, but it isn't. The jersey is what the audience sees in every camera shot, what the fan who wants to feel part of the project buys, and what turns five players into a recognizable identity. In an ecosystem where organizations are constantly looking for new revenue streams and new ways to connect with their community, a Worlds kit is much more than clothing: it's a statement of intent.

What you need to know

• Movistar eSports has published a roundup of the jerseys of the teams qualified for Worlds 2026.
• According to the source, designing an exclusive kit for major tournaments is one of the finest traditions in esports.
• The vast majority of pro organizations follow this custom with their own designs for the occasion.
• The jerseys become part of the tournament's spectacle and a key element of each team's identity in front of an international audience.

Why a jersey carries so much weight at Worlds

Traditional sports have shown for decades that a kit can be as memorable as a title. In esports, that logic has taken hold in a big way, and Worlds is the perfect showcase: it's the most-watched event on the competitive calendar, it brings together teams from every region, and it puts each organization in front of viewers who may never have seen it play before. Showing up with a special design is the most direct way to say you're arriving with ambition.

On top of that, a Worlds jersey works as a collector's item. Because it's tied to a specific tournament and a specific roster, it becomes linked to a moment fans can remember for years, no matter what happens on stage. An epic comeback, a painful elimination or a historic title all end up bound to those colors. That's why many organizations take special care with the design and treat it as a full-fledged product launch.

Who it affects

Teams, because it's a chance to strengthen their brand and generate merchandising revenue. Players, because wearing a jersey designed for Worlds has an emotional side that anyone who has competed understands. And fans and content creators, who find in every reveal something to discuss, compare and debate before the ball even starts rolling, or in this case, before the first minion falls. If you want to see every design in detail, the full roundup is in the original Movistar eSports article.

Our take

At Underworld Lordz, we believe this tradition is one of the best things the competitive ecosystem has borrowed from traditional sports. A good jersey tells a story: where the team comes from, what it stands for and what it wants to achieve. When an organization takes that design seriously, it's saying it takes its community seriously. And for a team like ours, which thrives on its connection with players across the Americas and Europe, that's something we value enormously.

That said, we also have to be critical. Not every special kit lives up to the name. Sometimes it's clear the design comes more from a commercial obligation than from a real idea, with minimal changes from the usual jersey or with sponsors so prominent that the crest takes a back seat. And pricing and international availability are still an unresolved issue: a gorgeous jersey is of little use if fans in Latin America or much of Europe can't get one without paying outrageous shipping costs.

For content creators, these kinds of launches are pure gold: rankings, reactions, comparisons and debates that keep the conversation going in the days leading up to the tournament. Our advice is to make the most of it, but with your own perspective. Beyond whether a jersey looks good or bad, the interesting part is asking what it says about each organization and how it fits its identity. That's where the content that truly adds value lies.

What do you think?

The Worlds jerseys are already on the table, and every fan will have a favorite, as well as one they wouldn't wear even if it were free. Take a look at the roundup and tell us: which Worlds 2026 kit do you think is the best, and which one falls short? We'll be reading your thoughts in the team chat and on our Discord.