Arizona Cardinals Uniforms: What They're Wearing Against the 49ers

So, the Arizona Cardinals are rolling into Santa Clara to face the San Francisco 49ers, and naturally, everyone’s asking about the threads. Look, if you're a fan who lives and breathes uniform matchups, you know this specific rivalry has had some pretty wild "aesthetic" shifts lately. Football fans are picky. I get it. We want the colors to pop on the screen, and we definitely don’t want a "color rush" disaster that makes our eyes bleed.

The short answer is actually pretty simple this time around. Since the Cardinals are the visiting team at Levi's Stadium, they are locked into their all-white road uniforms.

Now, I know what you're thinking. "Wait, didn't they just release some crazy new 'Rivalry' gear?" You're right. But that sand-colored, desert-themed kit is a home-only special. For this clash with the Niners, it's back to the basics. Arizona is sticking with the clean, icy white look from top to bottom. It’s a sharp contrast against the 49ers' classic home red, and honestly, it’s one of the better-looking matchups in the NFC West.

Why the Cardinals are sticking with white

In the NFL, the home team usually gets first dibs. They choose their jersey color, and the visitor has to react. Historically, the 49ers almost always wear their iconic red jerseys at home. Because the Niners are staying in their red primaries, the Cardinals are required by league rules to wear a contrasting light color.

Arizona’s current road set, which they overhauled recently, is actually pretty sleek. It’s got that "Big Red" logo on the helmet, but the rest of the kit is a "Stormtrooper" vibe—white jerseys, white pants, and white socks.

👉 See also: NL Rookie of the Year 2025: Why Drake Baldwin Actually Deserved the Hardware

• Helmets: The classic white shell with the cardinal bird.
• Jerseys: Pure white with "ARIZONA" stretched across the chest.
• Pants: All white, no stripes.

It’s a minimalist approach. Some fans miss the old red piping and the stripes, but others think this new look makes the team look faster. Honestly, when Kyler Murray is scrambling, the all-white does look kinda fast. It’s basically a blank canvas that lets the red accents on the shoes and gloves do the talking.

What about those new "Rivalries" uniforms?

You might have seen the headlines about the "Rivalries" program. Nike and the NFL launched this in 2025 to give certain teams a third (or fourth) option specifically for divisional games. The Cardinals got a "Sandstorm" kit. It’s this unique tan/sand color that’s supposed to look like the Arizona desert.

It’s a cool concept. It’s got copper accents to honor the state's mining history and a "Desert Cardinal" logo.

But here is the catch: The NFL usually restricts these "Rivalries" or "City Connect" style uniforms to home games. Since this game is in San Francisco, those sand-colored jerseys are staying in the equipment room back in Glendale. You won’t see them on the field at Levi's. If you were hoping for a "Desert vs. Gold" aesthetic battle, you’re gonna have to wait for the rematch in Arizona.

✨ Don't miss: New Zealand Breakers vs Illawarra Hawks: What Most People Get Wrong

The 49ers' Side of the Field

San Francisco is a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to their kit. They’ve got the gold helmets, the red jerseys with the three white stripes on the sleeves, and those iconic gold pants.

There was a rumor floating around that the Niners might wear their "75th Anniversary" throwbacks (the ones with the shadow-box numbers), but that hasn't been confirmed for this specific week. Usually, they save those for prime-time night games. Since this is a standard afternoon kickoff, expect the classic scarlet red.

It creates a very traditional "Red vs. White" look. It’s high-contrast. It’s easy for the refs to see, and it’s easy for you to see from the nosebleed seats.

The Weather Factor in Santa Clara

Believe it or not, weather dictates uniform choice more than you’d think. In early-season games or unseasonably warm afternoons in Northern California, teams sometimes opt for white at home to stay cool.

🔗 Read more: New Jersey Giants Football Explained: Why Most People Still Get the "Home Team" Wrong

We saw the 49ers do this back in September against the Cardinals, where they actually wore white at home to force Arizona into their red jerseys in the sun. But by this point in the season, the heat isn't really a factor. Both teams are comfortable in their standard home-red and road-white rotations.

How to spot the variations

If you’re a real jersey nerd, keep an eye on the socks. Sometimes the Cardinals will mix it up and wear red socks with the white pants. It’s a small change, but it completely changes the "weight" of the look. Most of the time, though, the team prefers the "monochrome" white look. It’s a "business trip" vibe.

Actionable Insight for Fans:
If you're heading to the game and want to match the team, wear your white jerseys. While "Red Seas" are cool at State Farm Stadium, wearing white in the Niners' territory helps you stand out and mirrors what the players are actually wearing on the turf.

If you're looking to buy the new gear, just remember that the "Rivalry" sand-colored jerseys are limited editions. They sell out fast because they’re the first time the team has really strayed from the red/white/black palette in decades. Grab one while you can, but don't expect to see it on TV this weekend.