Arizona State Unveils 1986 Rose Bowl Throwback Uniform
Arizona State is bringing one of the greatest teams in program history back to life.
In 2026, the Sun Devils will celebrate the 40th anniversary of their 1986-87 Rose Bowl championship season with a throwback uniform inspired by the team that remains the only Arizona State squad to bring home the Rose Bowl trophy.
The uniform takes the Sun Devils back to the look of the mid-1980s, featuring a gold helmet, maroon jersey, gold pants and a series of classic maroon, white and gold stripes that run throughout the uniform.
The throwback begins with a gold helmet paired with a white facemask and a classic Sparky decal. The Sparky logo features a thicker white outline than the modern version, giving it a distinctly vintage appearance.
The centerpiece of the helmet is a five-stripe maroon and white pattern running down the middle. A thick maroon stripe sits at the center, flanked by thinner white stripes and additional maroon stripes on the outside.
While the original 1986 decals featured a slightly lighter red shade, Arizona State has updated the colors for the 2026 version to better match the program's modern maroon. The result is a more cohesive interpretation of the original design while maintaining its unmistakable 1980s character.
The Sun Devils will return to their traditional maroon home jersey, with gold collegiate block numbers outlined in white on the front and back.
Across the chest, “Arizona State” appears in simple white lettering, while the nameplate on the back uses gold text. The sleeves feature another signature element of the design: a three-stripe horizontal pattern with a gold stripe in the center and white stripes above and below it.
Player numbers are also placed on the tops of the shoulders in the same classic block style.
While the uniform is designed around historical accuracy, Arizona State added one detail specifically to celebrate the team's Rose Bowl championship.
A small leather Sparky patch sits on the back collar of the jersey.
Flip the patch around, and the inside features the year “1987” along with three embossed roses, a subtle tribute to the Rose Bowl victory. It's a detail that wouldn't have appeared on the original 1986 uniform, but it gives the 2026 version a unique connection to the championship being celebrated.
The pants keep things relatively simple while continuing the uniform's stripe-heavy design. The gold pants feature the same maroon-and-white five-stripe pattern running down each side, creating a consistent visual connection between the helmet, jersey and pants.
What makes Arizona State's 2026 uniform stand out is the consistency of the design. From the five-stripe helmet to the shoulder stripes and matching pant stripes, the maroon, white and gold elements create a cohesive look from head to toe.
This time, they're celebrating the only team in program history to do what every Sun Devil team dreams of: win the Rose Bowl.
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