CONFIRMED: Indiana Pacers to Rock Modernized 1980s-Inspired Uniforms as 2025-26 City Edition Jerseys, Blending Nostalgia and Innovation

In a move that has set social media ablaze and thrilled longtime fans, the Indiana Pacers have officially confirmed that their 2025-2026 City Edition jerseys will be a modernized homage to the iconic uniforms worn during the 1980s. The announcement, made via a sleek reveal video posted to the team’s official platforms, pays tribute to a golden era of Pacers basketball while injecting a contemporary twist designed to resonate with both younger audiences and die-hard supporters of the franchise.

For years, the 1980s look—most notably associated with the likes of Clark Kellogg, Herb Williams, and the gritty blue-collar ethos of the era—has held a special place in the hearts of Pacers fans. The navy blue and gold palette, bold block lettering, and straightforward stripe design captured the essence of Indiana basketball: no-frills, all heart. And now, nearly four decades later, the Pacers are bringing that feeling back—refreshed and reimagined for a new generation.

The 2025-26 City Edition jersey will prominently feature a deep navy base with sharp golden accents. The most eye-catching element is the return of the diagonal “PACERS” wordmark, drawn directly from the original 1984–85 design, but with modern typography and subtle silver trim that adds a futuristic edge. Vertical pinstripes—another 1980s mainstay—make their comeback, but this time with a gradient fade effect that symbolizes the passage of time and evolution of the franchise. The shorts include a subtle nod to the famous Indiana state flag, which appears stitched into the waistband with a shimmering blue-and-gold patch.

“We’re not just honoring the past—we’re carrying it forward,” said Pacers Vice President of Brand Strategy Angela Parker. “This uniform tells a story that began in the ‘80s and continues today. It celebrates our legacy, our identity, and the city that made it all possible.”

Incorporating elements from the 1980s era is more than just a stylistic choice. The Pacers are using the design to reconnect with their historical roots at a time when the franchise is seeing a renewed surge of enthusiasm. After their deep playoff run in 2025 and the emergence of young stars like Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin, the team has found itself at the center of the league’s cultural renaissance. The retro-inspired look, therefore, becomes a perfect visual metaphor for the team’s current trajectory: honoring the past while building something bold and new.

Longtime fans were quick to applaud the reveal. “It’s perfect. This is the jersey I grew up watching,” said lifelong fan Steven Matthews. “My dad took me to Market Square Arena back in ’86. I remember those uniforms so vividly. Seeing them back, with this modern twist? It’s emotional.”

The players themselves were just as thrilled to embrace the new threads. Haliburton, the team’s All-Star point guard and now the unofficial face of the franchise, modeled the jersey in the reveal video and shared his own enthusiasm. “When I first saw it, I was like, ‘Yo, this is fire!’” he said with a laugh. “I love the history behind it. The stripes, the font, the feel—it’s clean. It’s powerful. We’re gonna look fresh and fierce out there.”

The decision to revive the 1980s style was the result of months of collaboration between the Pacers’ front office, Nike, and several graphic designers with deep ties to Indiana basketball lore. Lead designer Marcus Delano, who grew up in Carmel, Indiana, spoke about the process of blending retro and modern in a way that remained authentic.

“We wanted to evoke that nostalgic feeling without making it a straight throwback,” Delano explained. “So we played with texture, movement, and the color balance. We kept the soul of the ‘80s look intact but gave it more dimension. The pinstripes have a motion effect, and the wordmark is layered to feel dynamic—just like this team right now.”

Beyond the aesthetics, the City Edition jersey launch will also coincide with a series of community-based initiatives. The Pacers Foundation has announced a partnership with several local high schools and youth basketball programs, providing replica jerseys and holding clinics themed around “honoring our past, inspiring our future.” Special retro nights are scheduled throughout the season where fans will enjoy 1980s-themed in-game entertainment, music, and giveaways.

“There’s something uniquely powerful about sports nostalgia,” said Pacers historian and author Tom Brew. “Uniforms are memory markers. You remember where you were when Reggie Miller dropped 25 in a quarter, or when the Pacers made that Cinderella run in 1994. But even before that, in the ‘80s, those uniforms symbolized a rugged, determined team trying to carve out respect in the NBA. Bringing that look back now, when the Pacers are again becoming a powerhouse, just feels right.”

The City Edition rollout is part of the NBA’s broader initiative to celebrate team legacies while enhancing visual appeal across merchandise lines. But for Indiana, this is more than just a marketing gimmick—it’s a cultural revival. The response from fans has already translated into a major spike in pre-orders, with jerseys reportedly selling out within the first two hours of the initial online drop. Local retailers are bracing for record-breaking demand.

Pacers owner Herb Simon, who has overseen the franchise since 1983 and was present during the original uniform’s heyday, released a rare personal statement. “These uniforms are a reflection of our pride—not just in our team, but in Indiana basketball as a whole. I remember the grit of those early years. And now, seeing this team pick up that same spirit, it gives me great hope for what’s next.”

The 2025–26 season already promises to be a compelling one for Indiana. With Haliburton playing at an All-NBA level, Mathurin growing into a star shooting guard, and the return of Reggie Miller as a senior coaching advisor, the team is entering what feels like a new golden era. The new City Edition uniforms are simply the visual stamp on that evolution.

But perhaps what makes this particular uniform launch feel so significant is how deeply personal it is to Pacers fans. In a league where brand identity is constantly shifting and alternate jerseys sometimes feel disconnected from a team’s story, this offering from Indiana strikes the perfect balance between form and meaning. It’s not just a jersey. It’s a time capsule. It’s a declaration. It’s a reminder that basketball in Indiana—past, present, and future—is always rooted in pride, hustle, and homegrown love.

As the season approaches, excitement continues to build not just for the basketball, but for what the players will be wearing while writing the next chapter of Pacers history. If the past is any indication, that navy-and-gold diagonal lettering might once again be stitched into unforgettable moments and legendary highlight reels.

So get ready, Indiana. The ’80s are back. And they’ve never looked sharper.