Wisconsin football unveils alternate uniforms for 2026 season opener vs. Notre Dame
A breakdown of the new look the Badgers will don for its toughest game on the 2026 schedule.
Vince Biegel found out the latest University of Wisconsin football alternate uniforms weren’t just minor updates to the current Badgers look.
Biegel was in Madison for Tuesday’s introduction of new athletic director Shawn Eichorst, but he also spent a good chunk of Wednesday with the team as well. That included a chat with the Badgers current crop of outside linebackers and performing some voiceover work. He narrated a short video that was released Thursday, which debuted the new Wisconsin jerseys and helmets that will be worn for the Sept. 6 season opener against Notre Dame at Lambeau Field.
The question Biegel pondered was “how subtle is this going to be?” It piqued his interest when told they were not, in fact, subtle.
Wisconsin’s uniforms are red with silver jersey numbers, which according to the athletic department, is “inspired by the Lombardi Trophy.” The numbers also have black shadowing.
There are three stripes on each shoulder, the two outside are silver with the inside stripe being red. The Motion W logo on each shoulder is described as having “silver metallic dimensional lettering with subtle Camp Randall arch inspired stone texture.” The players’ names on the back can be described as gray or non-metallic silver.
“I thought it was a great jersey for the game,” said Biegel, who was part of the 2016 team that defeated LSU at Lambeau Field. “They have the chrome numbers, the chrome Motion W, the chrome lettering, which represents the Lombardi Trophy for Lambeau Field. And I love the red helmets.
“We had red helmets when I was at Wisconsin. It’s cool to see them bring the red helmets back for the game. So I think it still honors what Wisconsin football is, the tradition that we have (with) our uniforms. But also it’s a fun new jersey for the players to get excited about.”
Perhaps the biggest change is Wisconsin wearing red helmets for the first time since the 2014 season, which will be nearly 12 years ago when the program was led by former coach Gary Andersen and running back Melvin Gordon nearly broke the FBS’ single-season rushing record.
The helmets have not just a silver Motion W, but “rose red accents” that references the team’s history with the Rose Bowl. Their facemasks have that silver/gray color, and the back of the helmets have “All of the W” in red.
Wisconsin will also wear red pants for that game.
Notre Dame also unveiled wear alternative uniforms from Under Armour on Wednesday. Particular aspects of both teams’ apparel for the game pay homage to the Green Bay Packers.
Wisconsin’s recent history with alternate uniforms
The Badgers most recently wore uniforms reminiscent of those worn in the 1980s last season for its homecoming against Iowa.
This will be the second time Wisconsin will don special uniforms against Notre Dame this decade. The Badgers also wore their “Forward” jerseys and helmets for their 2021 matchup against the Fighting Irish at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Wisconsin also wore alternate uniforms for its 2019 home game against Northwestern.
I like the new alternate uniforms. I know a bunch of people are going to bitch that’s it not the old boring red and white created in 1897 but young players like this and we want to attract more great players.