Penn State football’s new era under Matt Campbell is bringing more than a fresh voice on the sideline. It’s bringing a fresh look, too.
The Nittany Lions are officially moving on from Nike and into a new partnership with Adidas, a switch that became official nearly a year after Penn State Athletics announced the change at the start of the 2025 season. For the first time in roughly three decades, Penn State will not be aligned with Nike.
Mark Brennan of 247Sports posted the first look at the new Adidas-branded Penn State football uniforms on July 1, 2026, and the update is exactly what many expected: familiar, but with a different logo. The Adidas mark now replaces the Nike swoosh on the jersey, pants and accessories, while the rest of the uniform stays true to the program’s traditional look. The color combination and the shade of blue remain unchanged.
“After months of anticipation, the day is finally here, and I couldn’t be more excited to officially welcome adidas to the Penn State family," athletic director Pat Kraft said in a statement.
"This partnership is about far more than apparel. It’s a bold statement about the future of Penn State Athletics and our unwavering commitment to competing at the highest level. This partnership represents a landmark investment in Penn State Athletics, one that will create new opportunities for our student-athletes and strengthen every program as we pursue championships."
Kraft also made clear where the biggest impact of the deal is supposed to land. The 10-year agreement is worth up to $300 million in cash, equipment and NIL fundings, and he expects it to set an “industry standard” across Penn State Athletics. The university also hopes the partnership will help create “high-impact NIL agreements and brand marketing campaigns” for its athletes through Adidas.
Penn State is also rolling out merchandise tied to the new partnership. Beginning July 1, the school is hosting a “Gear Up for Glory” event, with pop-up Adidas shops at Pegula Ice Arena. Those shops will be open on July 2 and July 8-12 as well.
“Rep the next chapter. Don't miss out on exclusive merchandise! #WeAre | https://t.co/nMGYqPlvBL pic.twitter.com/pw0wCDejbY”
Kraft closed his statement by framing the move as bigger than a uniform change.
"This is about giving our student-athletes every possible advantage. It’s about giving Nittany Nation an exciting new way to wear its pride.
And it’s about building something together that will elevate Penn State Athletics on both the national and global stage," Kraft's statement continued. "We’re incredibly proud to begin this new era with adidas, and we can’t wait to show the world what’s next."
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