Jerseys are an iconic part of any sport, but how good are esports jerseys relative to their traditional sport cousins, and what makes an esports jersey unique?
At face value, an esports jersey may seem an absurd concept to those unfamiliar. In traditional sports, uniforms are meant to distinguish the teams for both the players and the fans. The jerseys themselves are often optimized to improve the competitors’ performance or, at the very least, to not hinder them.
In esports, that’s not as much of a concern. All the action plays out in-game, so it doesn’t matter quite as much what the players are wearing.
So what’s the point of these jerseys? And are they worth getting in the first place? Here’s a full breakdown of what an esports jersey looks like, feels like, and whether you should consider getting one.
What do esports jerseys feel like?
Esports jerseys are typically fully polyester, giving them a sleek feel. Though the thought that might jump to mind upon hearing this is of those awkwardly shiny business shirts, they’re more akin to a heavy rash guard or an Under Armour athletic shirt. They typically wear like these, too.
Like Under Armour or other similar athletic shirts, esports jerseys are a paradoxical mix of relatively low breathability while being good at wicking away moisture. Because esports jerseys are generally heavier, they don’t dry off or cool down their wearers as quickly, but typically still provide a surprisingly comfortable feel.
The one major issue when it comes to the feel of esports jerseys is the fit. Esports is a global sport and as anyone who has bought clothes abroad knows, a “large” in one country might be very different from a “large” in another country.
With the United States, Canada, Brazil, Europe, Russia, China, and Korea all standing as major esports hubs, anyone looking to buy an esports jersey ought to try and track down info on exactly where the jersey is manufactured and what the size differences might be between the clothes they normally wear and how they differ from where the jersey is made.
Esports jersey designs take inspiration from league football
One of the things that might be a bit jarring for those most familiar with American team sports is how little space is actually dedicated on many esports jerseys for the actual team. This is because esports jerseys often provide practical value to the teams and players, better showcasing the sponsors who help make the pro careers of these players possible.
In the case of Team Vitality’s new jerseys for Valorant Masters London and IEM Cologne 2026, the jerseys heavily promote sponsors connected sponsor Stake and its owned streaming platform, Kick. This is a major boon to both the team and the sponsor. The task then falls to the esports jersey designer to make sure the look is still sharp and attractive, which the Vitality jersey pull off smartly.
This isn’t unusual in the world of soccer and league football, where the actual team logo is just a small crest, while most of the real estate is given to major sponsors. It’s somewhat odd for North American fans, but then again, NBA and NHL teams have also started showcasing sponsors directly on their jerseys in recent years.
Not all jerseys are made this way, of course. Some teams do opt to have the esports organization’s branding is front-and-center.
It’s also worth noting that esports teams radically change their jersey design on a fairly regular basis compared with traditional sports which may see teams with the same colors and logos for decades, and in some cases, for centuries.
Are esports jerseys worth it?
Esports jerseys are definitely worth it for fans of the teams and the game, similar to any other sports apparel.
An unfortunate trend across the realm of sports is that participation beyond watching on television is becoming increasingly expensive. Ticket prices are up significantly and that applies to official apparel as well, albeit with variance from sport to sport.
Generally speaking, esports jerseys compare favorably against jerseys in traditional sports. Team Vitality’s CS2 Major Cologne 2026 jersey retails for around $90 USD, and it’s the same exact jersey as the one their star players are wearing on the stage. That price is similar to the cheapest replica jerseys offered by traditional sports teams and magnitudes cheaper than the “authentic” jerseys that would actually be ready for the field.
Of course, an esports jersey is still more expensive than an average piece of clothing. But with a proper esports jersey and the right fit, you’re getting a little more than that in the deal.
