Honestly, the Los Angeles Kings NHL jersey has always been a bit of a shapeshifter. If you walk through the concourse at Crypto.com Arena (yeah, it’s still weird not calling it Staples), you'll see a chaotic sea of colors. You've got the 70s "Forum Blue" and gold. You've got the 90s silver and black. You’ve even got those weird "Burger King" jerseys from the mid-90s that everyone hated then but collectors would sell a kidney for now.
But right now, in the 2025-26 season, we are in the middle of a massive brand identity shift.
The Kings didn't just tweak a logo; they basically hit the reset button to 1988. If you've been looking to pick up a new sweater lately, you've probably noticed that things look a lot like the Gretzky era. It’s not a coincidence. After years of the "Home Plate" shield logo that defined the Stanley Cup runs of 2012 and 2014, the organization decided to go back to its roots—well, one of its roots.
The 2024-25 Rebrand: It's All About the Chevron (Again)
Last year, the Kings officially retired the shield logo. They replaced it with a modernized version of the 1988–1998 "Chevron" logo. This is the logo Wayne Gretzky wore when he landed in LA and changed the sport in California forever.
The 2026 version is a bit different, though. It’s wider. The "LOS ANGELES" text at the top is more legible, and the font for "KINGS" has a bit more weight to it. One of the coolest details—and something most casual fans miss—is the crown at the bottom of the logo. It’s not the 90s crown. It’s actually a modernized version of the original 1967 crown from the team's first season.
Basically, the current Los Angeles Kings NHL jersey is a Frankenstein of the team's three biggest eras:
- The shape and silver/black palette of the 90s.
- The literal crown from the 60s expansion era.
- The "enhanced silver" metallic materials of the 2020s.
It’s kind of a "greatest hits" album in fabric form.
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Why They Ditched the "Home Plate" Shield
Winning two Cups in a jersey usually makes it untouchable. So why change it?
The word on the street (and from the front office) was that the previous logo felt a bit too "corporate." It was clean, sure, but it lacked the "cool" factor that the silver and black era brought to LA culture in the 90s. That look wasn't just about hockey; it was a fashion statement. It was N.W.A., it was Snoop Dogg, it was the Raiders connection.
By going back to the Chevron, the Kings are trying to reclaim that spot as a lifestyle brand. They want people who don’t even watch hockey to want to wear the gear. Honestly? It's working.
The New Third Jersey Surprise
If you caught the 2025-26 season opener against the Colorado Avalanche, you saw something nobody expected. The team skated out for warmups in their standard home blacks, then disappeared into the tunnel. When they came back out for the player introductions, they were wearing a brand-new third jersey.
This new alternate is basically a love letter to the 1967 original, but stripped of the purple and gold. It’s a black base with a massive silver crown on the chest. No "KINGS" text. Just the crown.
And then there are the helmets.
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The Kings have been experimenting with headgear for a while. Remember the "Chrome Domes" from the Stadium Series? Those are mostly gone. For the new 2026 alternates, they’re wearing matte silver helmets. They don’t have that mirror-finish glare, but they stand out like crazy under the arena lights. It’s a polarizing look, for sure. You either love the "New England Patriots" vibe or you think it looks like a kitchen appliance. There isn't much middle ground there.
Buying a Los Angeles Kings NHL Jersey in 2026: Fanatics vs. Authentic
Since 2024, Fanatics has been the official uniform provider for the NHL. This was a huge deal because Adidas had been the gold standard for a long time. If you’re looking to buy a jersey today, you’ve got two main tiers to choose from:
The "Authentic Pro" Tier
This is the real deal. It’s what Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe actually wear on the ice. These are made in the same Canadian factory that has produced NHL jerseys for decades. They have the fight straps, the reinforced elbows, and the heavy-duty stitching. They also cost a small fortune.
The "Premium" Tier
This is what replaced the old Adidas "Indo-Authentic." It looks almost identical to the on-ice version, but the cut is a bit more forgiving for human beings who don't wear hockey pads to the grocery store. The logos are still stitched, and the "enhanced silver" thread has a nice shimmer to it.
The "Breakaway" Tier
This is the budget-friendly option. The logos are softer and more flexible, which makes them way more comfortable for sitting on a couch or wearing under a hoodie. If you just want to rep the team without spending $300, this is the one.
The "Purple and Gold" Problem
One thing that still bugs a segment of the fanbase is the lack of purple (or "Forum Blue").
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The team has been pretty firm about staying black, silver, and white. It’s their identity now. However, because the "Reverse Retro" series was such a massive hit a couple of years ago, the team hasn't totally killed off the old colors. There are rumors that we might see a purple-accented jersey for a special event in the 2026-27 season, but for now, if you want purple, you’re looking at the vintage racks or the Mitchell & Ness "Legacy" line.
What to Look for (Spotting Fakes)
Because the 2024-25 redesign is still relatively new, the counterfeit market is flooded with bad copies. If you’re buying from a third-party seller, check these three things:
- The Silver Thread: The "enhanced silver" on the new Kings jersey is actually reflective. If the silver parts of the logo look like flat grey embroidery, it’s a fake.
- The Neckline: The Fanatics authentic jerseys have a specific holographic shield on the collar.
- The Typography: The new font for the "K" in KINGS has a very specific "descender" (the little leg of the K). Bootleg versions usually mess up the spacing and make the font look too skinny.
Where the Jersey Goes From Here
As we head deeper into 2026, the Los Angeles Kings NHL jersey is more than just a uniform. It's a bridge. By bringing back the 90s look while incorporating the 60s crown, the team has managed to satisfy the fans who grew up with Gretzky and the ones who were there from the very beginning.
It’s rare for a team to successfully go "back to the future" without it feeling like a cheap nostalgia play. But by leaning into the high-tech silver fabrics and those matte helmets, the Kings have made the old look feel modern again.
If you’re planning to buy one, the Home Black Chevron is the safest bet—it’s the definitive look of this era. But if you want something that’s going to be a collector’s item, keep an eye on those "Silver Saturday" alternates with the matte buckets. They’re weird, they’re bold, and they are uniquely LA.
Next Steps for Kings Fans:
Check your local "Team LA" store or the official NHL shop to see the specific sizing for the Fanatics "Premium" line, as the fit is slightly different than the previous Adidas versions. If you’re a collector, look for the "Game-Used" auctions on the Kings’ official site; with the brand evolution in full swing, the 2024-25 "Set 1" jerseys are already becoming highly sought-after pieces of team history.