Starting in the 2024 season, NWSL teams will no longer wear white shorts, as the league and Nike phase them out due to players’ period concerns.

Nike and the NWSL launched all 14 clubs’ 2024 kits this week, kicking off a new era of their partnership with bespoke jerseys for each team. The colourful assortment of kits tells a unique story of each team and city, but perhaps the most important change in this season’s collection is the lack of white. 

In the past, the NWSL required every team to have a white alternate kit. However, with players in the league and around the world vocalising their concerns and discomfort around wearing white shorts while menstruating, this requirement has been scrapped.

Last season, Orlando Pride became the first NWSL club to ditch white shorts, replacing them with black ones for their light coloured kit. The change also applied to their youth teams and training kits, prioritising their players’ comfort over aesthetics. Across the pond, Manchester City became the first WSL side to stop wearing white shorts in 2022.

Since then, multiple national teams have phased out white and light coloured shorts, from the Lionesses to Denmark. This league-wide shift in the NWSL is a major development for women’s soccer in America, and a win for all players.

Studies have shown that insecurities and heightened body image concerns are some of the main factors in young girls dropping out of sport. The stress that comes with playing whilst menstruating and fear of leaks only adds to those insecurities.

Let this change be a sign to all leagues and federations – it’s time to ditch white shorts for good.

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