The 27th MLS season is upon us and it arrives earlier than normal thanks to the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicking off in November. As we’ve done for many years, we’re here to preview the season through the lens of MLS jersey sponsors.
Before we dive in, let’s talk headlines. Entering the 2022 season, only one of the 28 MLS teams does not have a front-of-jersey sponsor – the Colorado Rapids. No team will begin their 2022 campaign with a sponsor on their left sleeve; however, brands will adorn the right jersey sleeve of 13 teams. Curious which new brands have attached themselves to MLS and its teams? Check out our full rundown below.
MLS jersey sponsors
Of the 27 teams with a front-of-jersey sponsor entering the 2022 season, 23 feature the same sponsor as last season. The newcomer brands are via debutant, Charlotte FC, and their partnership with online-only bank, Ally Bank. Also new to the mix is Compass Minerals, which moves from sleeve partner of Sporting Kansas City in 2021 to more valuable real estate in 2022.
The third new brand for the 2022 season comes via FC Dallas and their partner, MTX Group. The global tech consulting firm will feature its artificial intelligence driven solutions platform, mavQ, on the FC Dallas secondary jersey. We’ve seen the splitting of front-of-jersey sponsorship by parent brands before. In the 2021 MLS season – and again in the 2022 season – the Philadelphia Union and partner Bimbo Bakeries featured Artesano on the secondary jersey.
The last of the group is XDC Network, which becomes the second blockchain brand to be a front-of-jersey sponsor in MLS following XBTO’s partnership with Inter Miami. XDC Network announced their partnership with D.C. United just before the start of the 2022 season.
| Team | Jersey Sponsor |
|---|---|
| Atlanta United FC | American Family Insurance |
| Austin FC | YETI |
| Charlotte FC | Ally Bank |
| Chicago Fire | Motorola |
| CF Montreal | BMO Financial Group |
| Columbus Crew SC | Nationwide Children's Hospital |
| D.C. United | XDC Network |
| FC Cincinnati | Mercy Health |
| FC Dallas | MTX Group |
| Houston Dynamo FC | MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| LA Galaxy | Herbalife |
| Los Angeles FC | FLEX |
| Inter Miami CF | XBTO |
| Minnesota United FC | Target |
| Nashville SC | Renasant Bank |
| New England Revolution | United Healthcare |
| New York Red Bulls | Red Bull |
| New York City FC | Etihad Airways |
| Orlando City SC | Orlando Health |
| Philadelphia Union | Bimbo Bakeries / Artesano |
| Portland Timbers | Alaska Airlines |
| Real Salt Lake | LifeVantage |
| San Jose Earthquakes | Intermedia Cloud Communications |
| Seattle Sounders FC | Zulily |
| Sporting Kansas City | Compass Minerals |
| Toronto FC | BMO Financial Group |
| Vancouver Whitecaps | Bell |
MLS sleeve sponsors
As mentioned, 13 brands will feature on the right sleeve of jerseys at the start of the 2022 MLS season. Nine of the 13 remain from last season, including Piedmont Healthcare (Atlanta), Netspend (Austin), Advocare (Dallas), XMANNA (Miami), Honey (LA Galaxy), Target (LAFC), TikTok (Portland), Emerald Queen Casino (Seattle), and General Electric (Toronto).
Each of the four newcomer brands come from four different industries. Centene Corporation is a managed care company that partnered with Charlotte FC as they look to build a headquarters in the market. Centene is already making an impact thanks to the building of community fields and paying over 1,900 Personal Seat License (PSL) fees for fans. The St. Louis-based company was also recently announced as the stadium sponsor for St. Louis CITY SC when the team debuts in 2023.
As for the other new sleeve partners, Tipico will adorn the Crew’s sleeve this year and is the league’s second sleeve sponsor with gambling ties. Further south, Nashville SC and Hyundai are partners entering the 2022 season. The South Korean brand will be the only automotive manufacturer featured across all MLS jerseys. Finally, personal care company, Dude Wipes, and New York City FC announced a partnership prior to the season.
| Team | Sleeve Sponsor (Left) | Sleeve Sponsor (Right) |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta United FC | Piedmont Healthcare | |
| Austin FC | Netspend | |
| Charlotte FC | Centene Corporation | |
| Columbus Crew SC | Tipico | |
| FC Dallas | Advocare | |
| Inter Miami CF | XMANNA | |
| LA Galaxy | Honey | |
| Los Angeles FC | Target | |
| Nashville SC | Hyundai | |
| New York City FC | Dude Wipes | |
| New York Red Bulls | OANDA | |
| Portland Timbers | TikTok | |
| Seattle Sounders FC | Emerald Queen Casino | |
| Toronto FC | General Electric |
MLS jerseys
Below you can see all the new jerseys to be worn in MLS this season with their front-of-jersey partner. Do you have a favorite?
Eastern Conference
Western Conference
Categories: Feature, Featured, Major League Soccer, Sponsorship