The Colts are bringing a new look to Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 3, and it’s one plenty of fans have wanted to see for a while.
On Tuesday morning, Indianapolis introduced its new alternate uniform from Nike’s “Rivalries” collection, a gray-heavy design the team is calling “Anvil Strike.” The Colts will debut it Sept. 27 against the Houston Texans, with Houston set to wear its own Rivalries set in the Week 11 Thursday Night Football meeting in Houston.
The uniform leans into a clean, hard-edged palette: gray jerseys with blue numbers, stripes and white outline/name plates, plus gray pants with a blue stripe and black outline. The helmet is blue with a white horseshoe and black facemask.
In its release, the team tied the look directly to one of its best-known symbols, saying: “The 'Anvil Strike' design is inspired by the power of one of the team’s most recognizable symbols,” the team said in the release. “More than a gameday tradition, the anvil stands as a symbol of strength, resilience and the relentless spirit that defines Colts football.”
This is only the first of two alternate uniforms the Colts will wear in 2026. They’re also set to use their “Indiana Nights” uniforms at home against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16. That look, first unveiled in 2023, features blue jerseys and pants with a black helmet.
The Colts and Texans, both in the AFC South, are part of the Rivalries rollout this year along with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans. The NFC North is the other division in the mix. Last season’s first Rivalries launch included the AFC East and NFC West.
Indianapolis will continue wearing the new gray alternate once per season through 2028.
The Week 3 game will also feature Adam Vinatieri’s induction into the Colts’ Ring of Honor at halftime. Vinatieri, the legendary Colts kicker and 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, will be honored during the game.
For that matchup, the Colts will wear their white helmet, jerseys and pants, and fans are being encouraged to show up in white. Players will also wear special cleats tied to initiatives and causes they choose.
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