NCAA Soccer Uniform Rules, Regulations, and Legal Explained

Finding the right soccer uniforms for your collegiate soccer team can be a complicated task. You have to consider a multitude of things including institution colors, picking a style that reflects your school and program's personality and heritage, production life of uniforms (for replacements), and of course your budget. Add to these considerations the somewhat convoluted NCAA soccer rules and you truly have your work cut out for you.

What are the NCAA soccer uniform rules?

There are two main NCAA bylaws which relate to soccer uniforms that will impact which uniforms you buy and how you print:

• Manufacturer's logos and trademarks
• Jersey numbering

Manufacturer's Logos and Trademarks

2016-2017 NCAA Soccer Rules and Interpretations Publication states in section 4.1.1 (Uniforms): 

A field player’s uniform shall consist of a jersey or shirt, shorts, stockings and shoes. (See Rule 4.4.) It is permissible to have the institution’s name, nickname, or mascot on the front and/or back of the uniform, and the player’s name on the back of the jersey. Further, in accordance with NCAA bylaws, an institution’s uniform and/or any item of apparel (including warm-ups) that is worn by a student-athlete while representing the institution in intercollegiate competition may contain only a single manufacturer’s or distributor’s logo or trademark on the outside of the apparel (regardless of the visibility of the logo or trademark). The logo or trademark must be contained within a four-sided geometrical figure (that is, rectangle, square, parallelogram) that does not exceed 2¼-square inches. Such an item of apparel may contain more than one manufacturer’s or distributor’s logo or trademark on the inside of the apparel provided the logo or trademark
is not visible. If an institution’s uniform or any item of apparel worn by a student-athlete in competition contains washing instructions on the outside of the apparel or on a patch that also includes the manufacturer’s or distributor’s logo or trademark, the entire patch must be contained within a four-sided geometrical figure (that is, rectangle, square, parallelogram) that does not exceed 2¼-square inches. The restriction of the size of a manufacturer’s or distributor’s logo is applicable to all apparel worn by student-athletes during the conduct of the institution’s competition, which includes any pregame or postgame activities such as pregame warm-ups. Such attire includes individual player warm-up attire before the player enters the game, postgame celebrations and pre- or postgame press conferences involving student-athletes. The logo restrictions on student-athletes’ apparel set forth in NCAA bylaws, apply during NCAA championships to all personnel (for example, coaches, athletic trainers, managers) who are on the team bench for practices and games and who participate in NCAA news conferences. The same logo restrictions on student-athletes’ apparel also shall apply to commercial logos on uniforms worn by band members, cheerleaders, dance team members and the institution’s mascot during NCAA championship events. A commemorative patch may be permitted on a jersey or shirt. The entire patch must be contained within a four-sided geometrical figure (that is, rectangle, square, parallelogram) that does not exceed 2¼-square inches.

So, in a nutshell, this NCAA soccer rule is saying: one logo (or trademark) per item which must be able to be contained within a 2.25 square inch area shaped as a parallelogram.

Most soccer uniforms on the market have one logo over the right chest area that, if less than 2.25 square inches, is compliant with NCAA soccer rules. Where it gets sticky is with manufacturer's trademarks. For example uniforms bearing an across-chest sublimated Nike logo, or traditional down-the-arm triple adidas stripes would be out of compliance with NCAA soccer rules as they are considered trademarks of the respective uniform manufacturer.

Soccer Uniform Jersey Numbering

2016-2017 NCAA Soccer Rules and Interpretations Publication states in section 4.3 (Numbers Mandatory) states:

Numerals at least 8 inches in height that are easily distinguishable from the predominant background color(s) and pattern shall be worn on the back of each player’s (including goalkeeper’s) jersey.
Numerals at least 4 inches in height that are easily distinguishable from the predominant background color(s) and pattern shall be worn on the front of each player’s (including goalkeeper’s) jersey. Numerals are required on the front and back of the jersey, and no two teammates may wear the same number. Note: Numbers on shorts are optional.

What this NCAA soccer rule means for you: jerseys require 8" (or more) numbers on the back, 4" (or more) numbers on the front and should be a distinctly contrasting color to the jersey

How do I find NCAA legal soccer uniforms?

At Soccer Command we have a wide variety of NCAA compliant soccer uniforms. We also make it easy for you to know which soccer uniforms are in fact NCAA legal options by conveniently tagging jerseys, shorts, socks, and warm-ups as 'NCAA Legal'.

Click here to see our collections for NCAA compliant soccer jerseys, shorts, socks, and warm ups.

We're here to help!

Need help finding the perfect soccer uniforms to embody your school's heritage? We love working with people to find just the right soccer kit. Call, email, or web-chat us today to find out why more and more teams are choosing Soccer Command for all their soccer uniform needs.

IMPORTANT NOTE: before you order and embellish uniforms we strongly recommend you consult your school's athletics director to ensure your choices are withing NCAA compliance. NCAA bylaws change regularly and we can't guarantee the accuracy of our statements after publishing.