INDIANAPOLIS — Rivalry week has arrived for the Indianapolis Colts, and the team is set to debut a new look on the field this Sunday.
The Colts will wear their “Anvil Strike” alternate uniforms for the first time during their Sept. 27 matchup against the Houston Texans. Hayden Barnack, director of marketing for the Colts, said the project has been in development for two years in collaboration with Nike and the NFL as part of the Nike X Series.
The uniform features a distinct gray colorway designed to represent the steel of an anvil, a nod to the team’s pre-game tradition. For the first time in franchise history, the jersey features a silver metallic horseshoe and is paired with a blue helmet.
“We wanted to be really thoughtful about how we did this and brought it to life,” Barnack said to WISH-TV’s Daybreak Friday morning. “One of the things we talked about was that anvil strike tradition that we have right before kickoff. We know how important that is to bring the energy for fans, so we wanted to really lean into that.”
The aesthetic shift extends to the sidelines. Colts cheerleaders, including Maddie and Malia, will debut matching gear that features the return of chaps—a fan-favorite uniform element from the early 2000s. Blue, the team’s mascot, will also wear a custom version of the Anvil Strike uniform.
Fans attending the game are encouraged to arrive early at Lucas Oil Stadium. The first 50,000 fans through the gates will receive a special giveaway to commemorate the uniform’s debut. Former Colts tight end Jack Doyle is scheduled to perform the ceremonial anvil strike before the 1 p.m. kickoff.
The rivalry theme is also reaching the local high school level. On Friday night, the Colts’ Friday Night Football Tour will feature a matchup between Brownsburg and Westfield. The game is a rematch of the Class 6A state finals, and team officials expect more than 7,500 fans to attend the game in Westfield.
For fans looking to match the team on Sunday, Anvil Strike merchandise is currently available. The Colts Pro Shop is open Friday and Saturday, and gear will be available at the stadium on game day. The collection includes sideline gear, headwear, and jerseys for men, women, and children.
“It’s been an exceptional response,” Barnack said regarding fan feedback since the uniforms were announced last month. “We’ve already seen them at all of the games we’ve had so far this season around the concourse.”
