Our Sports Trend Expert Logged On

…Dating app “Feeld” published a report stating sports are the fastest-growing interest among young people seeking love. Soccer and tennis were at the top of the list, followed by basketball, football, and running. What are you still doing here? Go to the nearest sports bar and kiss.

What did you get for Christmas? A Book? What did your friend get for Christmas? A Book 2! That’s called a dad joke. Anyway, for real, we’re getting a Book 2! January 2! Book it! 

NFL Uniform rules have players feeling a little stiff. Like a mannequin, in fact, according to the Dolphins’ Minkah Fitzpatrick. Pants too high? You’re getting fined. Socks don’t match? You’re getting fined. Whatever happened to Casual Sunday! 

Getty compiled the sports photos of the year, if you’re into cool-looking stuff. Everyone say, “Thank you, Getty,” for all the visual decadence. And don’t be greedy! Share it with your friends! 

At OffBall, we talk about creative director and merch designer Domo Wells constantly. And we’re not gonna stop. Luckily, The Cut is on the same wavelength, with their series “How I Get It Done.” Queen sh*t! 

Hi friends, it’s Dan again, the editor of this newsletter. If you know me, you’ll know that all I speak about is anything to do with the relationship between sports and fashion. I’m back today to talk about all the crossovers we can expect from that beautiful intersection in 2026. Let me know if you think I missed anything!  

Editor’s note: I (Ashtyn) am editing my editor’s write-up in the newsletter today. And then, presumably, he will edit my edits.

As OffBall put it this week, 2025 was the year that fashion fully embraced sports and athletes. We had the sportiest Met Gala ever, featuring co-chair LeBron James and guests including the New York Liberty’s Big Three, Angel Reese, Jalen Hurts, and Spike Lee wearing a Knicks hat. We saw the rollout of LVMH’s partnership with F1, and we had athletes on fashion week runways from Paris to London to New York. Heck, we even got a surprise partnership between Prada and Anthony Edwards for good measure. 

If you thought this year was a lot, well, buckle up and sit tight, because 2026 will be off the charts. Only a few fashion brands would have dared dip their toes into sport or sign an athlete as an ambassador just a few years ago. But the allure of sports culture and the feel-good storytelling power of our favorite sports stars is now undeniable.

Just as this year’s Met Gala was the sportiest on record, brace yourself for next year’s Super Bowl to be the most fashion-forward ever. This year, we saw brands from Nike to On join in with creative ads of their own. In February, Adidas will be sure to take a big swing at things, given its superstar partner, Bad Bunny, will be holding the mic during the halftime show. I’ve been told to expect a few surprise appearances from some household luxury brand names, too, planning big pop-ups around the event. 

Skiwear collabs are about to go through the roof. In 2025, we already saw brands of all kinds getting busy in winter sports, launching skiwear collections like the world was about to end. I mean it when I say all kinds of brands. Even Italian soccer powerhouse AC Milan decided it was time to launch a skiwear collection in collaboration with Rossignol, modeled by the likes of Rafael Leao and Luka Modric. With the Winter Olympics fast approaching in early 2026, hosted in one of the fashion capitals of the world, expect to see fashion fall all the way back in love with skiwear, winter sports, and everything that entails. 

Speaking of soccer, you didn’t think I’d forgotten about the World Cup, did you? The small matter of the biggest global soccer tournament in history is set to take place across North America in the summer. Brands like Nike and Adidas have been gearing up for years to seize the moment. Expect to see it have a big, big impact on the way all the cool kids in your area are dressing. People are already trading in their basketball sneakers for soccer cleat-inspired kicks. Bored of your Nike Dunks? Get some T90s. Want to give those AE 2s a rest? Go grab some Sambas. Soccer is coming, and you better be ready. And if you’re a fan of soccer jersey culture, you’re in luck. Don’t believe me? Just ask Harrison Barnes. We’re about to see the wildest and most fashionable World Cup since records began (my records, at least). 

Last but not least, I think 2026 will see a surge in popularity from fashion into slightly “nicher” sports, which have appeal for their alternative aesthetics that are rich in heritage. I’m predicting some big interest in the likes of chess, cricket, and rugby. Let’s check back in a years time to see if I was right or horribly wrong. 

Editor’s note: Dan has never been wrong. 

First and foremost, Miami and Ohio State fans should expect to have a very stressful holiday, thanks to the Cotton Bowl being played on NYE.  

The Cheez-It Citrus Bowl offers a Cheez-It sampler platter (dispenser), and the Sickos Committee has some ideas about how to make it even better.

Kirk Herbstreit is fighting for fewer bowl games…

A sentiment some disagree with. After all, where else can you tase a coach for no reason?

Though I’ll give you that some of the names seem too insane to be true. 

@kofiewhy

How College Football Bowl Game names sound now 😭 #sports #college #collegefootball

The Masters may have its ever-prestigious green jacket, but the Holiday Bowl has an ugly sweater. 

Pudge, the Bowling Green locker room cat, is not headed to a playoff game, but he is headed to the NFL. 

And if any of this seemed a little too normal, the internet is fighting over whether LA or NYC is a better college football city. And the answers will surprise you.