The Washington Spirit is the latest D.C.-based sports team to embrace the cherry blossom, unveiling its new “Spirit in Bloom” kit ahead of its 2026 season.
The two-tone green kit features a tree with pink cherry blossoms popping through the front of the jersey. In a news release, the National Women’s Soccer League team said the cherry blossom branches across the front are emblematic of the Potomac and Anacostia rivers that help give D.C. “its noteworthy shape.”
The back has a solid green panel that highlights the players’ names and jersey numbers — now in pink. CVS Health, the team’s front kit sponsor, is also in pink.
The concept for the kit came from Ben Berczek, Washington’s director of operations, who said the cherry blossom uniform was something fans and players wanted for years.
“While brainstorming ways to create a cherry blossom uniform unique to the Spirit, the way sakura branches break away from one another reminded me of how the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers split to form the shape of DC around Audi Field,” Berczek said. “The main cherry blossom branch you see on the front of the ‘Spirit in Bloom’ kit mimics the path the Anacostia River takes north through DC.”
The cherry blossoms uniforms will pair with the club’s “shockwave” kits that were introduced last season as the Spirit’s two kits for the upcoming season.
The Spirit becomes the first women’s D.C. sports team to add the famous flower as part of its jersey. They join the NBA’s Wizards, MLB’s Nationals, NHL’s Capitals and MLS’ D.C. United.
“Cherry blossoms are woven into the identity of this city, and our ‘Spirit in Bloom’ kit is our way of celebrating that connection,” Washington Spirit CEO Kim Stone said in a statement. “This isn’t just a jersey. It’s a statement about who we are and where we belong in DC.”
Fans can purchase authentic, replica and goalkeeper jerseys on the team’s website and the NWSL shop. This year, replica kits will be available in a range of sizes, from XS to XXL in women’s cut and S to XXXL for men’s sizes.
Washington kicks off its season at home, taking on the Portland Thorns on March 13.
See photos below.
