Reds deliver unexpected win for fans worried about City Connect uniform change

It's been known for some time that the Cincinnati Reds were one of several Major League teams scheduled to debut an updated version of their City Connect uniforms in 2026. Cincinnati's all-black City Connect apparel is now three years old, and in an attempt to stay fresh — and make money, of course — Nike and MLB decided to update eight City Connect uniforms this season.

The Reds' plans for this year's update didn't stay secret for long. A photo leaked to social media recently with what's assumed to be the Reds' updated City Connect jersey. The new threads are spin on the original City Connect uniforms, but are red in color with pinstripes.

The reviews were mostly negative, though a few fans pointed out some intriguing aspects that could turn the jerseys into a hot-ticket item at the Reds' team store. Nevertheless, most Reds fans were upset that the all-black City Connects were going to be dismissed so quickly. After all, they had just debuted back in 2023 and the overwhelming number of fans loved all-black uniform.

Reds set to debut new City Connects, but keep the old ones too

If you're one of those fans who liked the Reds' original City Connect uniforms, there's reason for optimism. Based on a recent social media post, it would seem that 'City Connect Fridays' are back in 2026 and the team is set to wear their all-black uniforms for every Friday home game. The updated City Connects will be worn for Reds home games on Saturdays this season.

This sounds like a win-win for Reds fans. At the end of the day, most fans couldn't care less what the players are wearing so long as they're on top of the scoreboard after the final pitch. But to know that the all-black uniforms will be back in 2026 brings relief to a certain segment of the fanbase who enjoy the new look.

The Reds will debut their City Connect uniform during the team's upcoming homestand. The Reds are currently on the road with two more games against the Texas Rangers followed by four games in Miami against the Marlins. The Reds will reportedly reveal the new design next Thursday.