NCAA Approves Commercial Logos on Uniforms for Division 1 Sports Beginning in 2026

College athletes will be debuting commercial jersey patches during the 2026-27 academic year.

The NCAA announced Friday that D-I teams will be allowed to wear up to two brand logos on uniform and apparel, as well as one logo on their equipment, during the preseason and regular season.

Athletes can wear an additional logo during conference championships, according to the NCAA.

Commercial patches will not currently be worn during NCAA championships, although DI leadership said in a statement it has "supported NCAA staff efforts to explore possible policies" to allow them.

Patches will be limited to four square inches and "must be placed outside of designated sections of uniforms as necessary for officiating purposes," according to the NCAA.

The new policy will go into effect starting Aug. 1.

D-I Cabinet chair Josh Whitman said in a statement the change "reflects the ongoing commitment of Division I members to drive additional revenues and fully fund" financial benefits for student-athletes.

The 2026-27 season will mark the second year of the NCAA's new revenue-sharing policy, under which schools have been able to distribute up to about $20.5 million in direct payments to athletes this season.

Miami athletic director Dan Radakovich recently said in an interview with Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger that some college officials are hoping to eliminate the revenue-sharing cap altogether in the future.

According to Dellenger, Radakovich estimated getting rid of the cap would mean schools would be spending around $50 million on football rosters within the next few years.

Dellenger previously reported that schools are already using NIL agreements in order to pay athletes more than is currently allowed under the cap.

That has coincided with prices for transfer athletes hitting all-time highs. The average cost of a returning star quarterback rose from around $3 million to $5 million this offseason, per ESPN's Max Olson.

Allowing an additional way for D-I programs to bring in funding through jersey sponsorships could allow top programs to spend even more directly on athletes should the NCAA raise or eliminate the revenue-sharing cap in the future.