USL Championship Jerseys

The USL Championship is the second tier of professional soccer in the United States, sitting directly below Major League Soccer in the American soccer pyramid. Founded in its modern form in 2011 and rebranded as the USL Championship in 2019, the league has grown into one of the largest professional soccer competitions in the world by number of clubs. Strong supporter cultures and community-focused ownership have made it one of the fastest-growing sports leagues in North America.

Most clubs produce home and away jerseys each season, with designs that reflect local identity and culture. Several also release retro and commemorative kits popular with collectors. To find a specific team’s kits, search Amazon using the club name followed by “jersey,” or browse the USA soccer jerseys page and the all club teams directory.

League History and Format

The modern era of USL Championship began in 2011 when the league restructured and started attracting professional investment. By 2015 it had achieved Division II sanctioning from the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), placing it officially one step below MLS. The 2019 rebranding to “USL Championship” signaled the organization’s ambition to be taken seriously as a top-tier competition in its own right, and the league has continued to expand its club base and fanbase since.

The season typically runs from spring through autumn. Clubs are organized into Eastern and Western Conferences, each subdivided into regional groups. Teams play a round-robin regular-season schedule, and the top finishers from each group advance to a single-elimination playoff bracket. The Eastern and Western Conference champions meet in the USL Championship Final to determine the league title. The league also connects downward to USL League One and USL League Two, creating a structured pyramid beneath it.

Rivalries and Supporter Culture

USL Championship rivalries are intensely local, rooted in geography and regional pride. Louisville City FC and Indy Eleven have built a heated interstate rivalry in the Midwest, while Phoenix Rising FC and El Paso Locomotive FC have clashed repeatedly in western playoff situations. Supporter groups like City SI (Louisville), Republic Ultras (Sacramento) and the Riveters (Tampa Bay) bring tifo displays and vocal backing that surprise visitors expecting a quieter minor-league environment. These cultures also drive jersey demand — limited-edition kits tied to rivalry matches or playoff runs often sell out quickly.

Notable USL Championship Clubs

Below are some of the most recognizable names in USL Championship and what makes their jerseys worth seeking out.

Louisville City FC

Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Louisville City FC is one of the most decorated clubs in USL Championship history, having won multiple league titles. The club’s signature purple home kit is immediately recognizable, with away kits typically offering gold or white contrasts. Louisville City plays at Lynn Family Stadium, widely regarded as one of the finest soccer-specific venues in the second division.

Sacramento Republic FC

Sacramento Republic FC has built a passionate supporter base in California’s capital since 2014. The club typically wears gold and navy, and Republic FC is widely considered one of the most community-oriented clubs in American soccer. Jersey designs often incorporate local visual references that resonate with supporters beyond the stadium.

Tampa Bay Rowdies

The Tampa Bay Rowdies carry one of the most storied names in American soccer, with roots in the original NASL era of the 1970s. The bold green-and-gold color scheme pays homage to that heritage, and retro-inspired Rowdies jerseys are popular with fans of vintage American soccer. Al Lang Stadium on Tampa Bay’s waterfront provides one of the league’s most scenic settings.

San Antonio FC

San Antonio FC plays out of Toyota Field in Texas and typically wears a clean blue and white home kit. The club has built a loyal following in one of the largest American cities and regularly contends for the playoffs, with kit designs that suit the straightforward identity of its growing fanbase.

Phoenix Rising FC

Phoenix Rising FC plays in the desert Southwest with orange and black kits that stand out across the league. Rising FC typically draws some of the strongest USL Championship attendances in the western conference, and the sun-scorched palette makes their jerseys easily identifiable.

Birmingham Legion FC

Birmingham Legion FC represents Alabama’s largest city and often wears bold red kits that reflect the passion of Birmingham’s soccer community. The club has worked to establish soccer as a genuine part of the city’s sporting culture, and its growing fanbase drives steady jersey demand.

USL Championship Jersey Buying Guide

Most clubs offer a home jersey in their primary colors and an away jersey in a contrasting design, with some releasing an occasional third kit or retro anniversary edition. When searching on Amazon, use the club’s full name followed by “jersey” or “kit” to narrow results. Check the listing for the season and whether the jersey is an authentic on-field version or a more affordable replica. Replica kits are the most widely available and suit most fans; see our authentic vs replica jerseys guide and soccer jersey sizing guide for more detail.

USL Championship jerseys are often produced in smaller runs than MLS or European top-flight kits, so availability can vary by club and season. If you spot a jersey for a club you support, buying sooner rather than later is generally wise — especially for limited-edition or playoff runs. Several clubs also produce youth-sized kits in the same colorways as adult versions; visit our kids soccer jerseys page for broader sizing guidance.

Custom USL Championship Jerseys

Some USL Championship club jerseys can be personalized with a name and number — either a favorite player’s or your own. Search for “custom” or “personalized” alongside the club name on Amazon. For a broader selection of customizable options, visit our custom soccer jerseys page.

Retro USL Championship Kits

For clubs with longer histories — particularly the Tampa Bay Rowdies with their NASL roots — retro jerseys can be especially compelling. Search a club name alongside “retro” or “throwback” on Amazon to find available options. Our retro soccer jerseys page covers the broader category across multiple leagues.