Fresh Era and adidas Expand NCAA Baseball Partnership, Equipping More Programs with On-Field Caps in 2026
Buffalo, N.Y. – New Era and adidas are deepening their collaboration in NCAA baseball, announcing today that they will now provide premium New Era on-field caps to all adidas partner schools within the Power Four conferences starting in the 2026 season. This expanded partnership brings together two prominent brands in performance apparel to meet the headwear needs of ten leading college baseball programs.
The collaboration, initially launched in Spring 2025 with the Texas A&M Aggies, Miami Hurricanes, and Arizona State Sun Devils, will now include the University of Louisville Cardinals, NC State University Wolfpack, University of Kansas Jayhawks, Texas Tech University Red Raiders, Indiana University Hoosiers, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Cornhuskers, and Mississippi State University Bulldogs. This represents a significant expansion of the initial rollout, solidifying both brands’ commitment to collegiate athletics.
New Era will be responsible for producing headwear for both athletes and fans, designing the caps in close collaboration with adidas. The companies say the goal is to blend athletic performance with stylish design, elevating the on-field look for each team. For fans unfamiliar with the nuances of baseball headwear, the “on-field cap” refers to the official cap worn by players during games, and is often a highly sought-after item for supporters.
Players first sported the New Era caps on February 13th. Athletes have the option of wearing either the 59FIFTY or the Low-Profile 59FIFTY cap during games. A wider range of styles will be available for fans, including the official on-field caps, the 9SEVENTY Stretch-Snap, the 39THIRTY M-Crown, the 9FORTY M-Crown, and the 9TWENTY. Each cap will be available in the official colors of the respective teams and will feature the team’s logo prominently displayed on the front.
According to a press release, all caps worn on the field will feature the New Era flag and unique design elements specific to each team. Fan models will also incorporate both the New Era flag and adidas’ signature three stripes. This co-branding strategy aims to capitalize on the recognition and loyalty associated with both brands.
“After last year’s successful launch, we’re excited to give more teams access to our premium, game-ready headwear,” said Bruce Popko, Vice President of Global Licensing & Business Development at New Era. “Designing with the athletes in mind, our caps deliver unmatched durability and will support players’ needs all season long. On their home fields and away diamonds, this collaboration will elevate each team’s look by blending adidas’ fresh take on baseball uniforms with New Era’s high-performance caps for athletes and fans.”
The momentum from the initial NCAA rollout with New Era was described as “incredible” by adidas representatives, though specific sales figures were not released. The expansion to the Power Four conferences – generally considered the most competitive in college baseball – suggests a strong belief in the partnership’s potential for continued growth. The Power Four conferences are the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Massive Ten Conference, Big 12 Conference, and Southeastern Conference (SEC).
New Era Cap has a long history in sports headwear, dating back 100 years, and is a well-known brand among baseball fans. The company offers a wide range of hats for professional leagues including MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL. This partnership with adidas allows New Era to further solidify its position in the collegiate market.
The collaboration isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about performance. New Era’s caps are designed to withstand the rigors of competitive baseball, providing durability and comfort for athletes throughout the season. The choice between the 59FIFTY and Low-Profile 59FIFTY allows players to select a fit that best suits their preferences, while the variety of fan options ensures there’s a cap for every supporter.
With the 2026 season approaching, fans of these ten universities can look forward to seeing their teams sporting the latest in on-field headwear. The partnership between New Era and adidas promises to deliver both style and performance, enhancing the overall baseball experience for players and fans alike.
The next step for these teams is the start of the 2026 baseball season. Keep an eye on official team and league channels for schedules and updates. Fans can discover more information and purchase official New Era and adidas gear at New Era’s College On-Field page.
