Nike, Army Honour the 4th Infantry Division With 'Ivy Soldier' American Football Kits for the 2026 Army–Navy Game

When the Army Black Knights take the field at MetLife Stadium in December, they'll honour a division with more than a century of service.

Nike's Army West Point American football kits for the 127th Army–Navy Game pay tribute to the incredible legacy of the 4th Infantry Division—also known as the Ivy Soldiers—who have embodied their motto of "Steadfast and Loyal" in service of their country since 1917.

Ivy Soldiers have been at the forefront of answering their nation's call in the 25 years since the September 11 attacks. The kits, which the Army American football team will wear during its 12 December game against Navy at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, tell the 4th Infantry Division's story through iconography and heraldry.

The Army officially created the 4th Infantry Division in December 1917, during World War I, and it became known as the "Ivy Division" because of its Roman numeral designation, "IV". The unit insignia, which reflects that name, is proudly displayed on the kit's left shoulder patch on the jersey and on the front of the helmet. Ivy is also featured throughout the kit, including on the Army West Point Athena Shield, the Nike gloves and the Nike Vapor boots that players will wear in the game.

The kit's camouflage green colour and pattern is meant to reflect the dense, ivy-covered foliage of Central and Eastern Europe, honouring the Ivy Soldiers' legacy of service. The chiselled typography on the kit's numerals and letters draw inspiration from memorials such as the Utah Beach monument, conveying resilience, history and craftsmanship while echoing the sacrifice of our nation's heroes.

The helmet also features an "IV" decal surrounded by four ivy leaves, the division's "Steadfast and Loyal" motto on the wings of the visor and a 9/11 decal on the back in honour of the Ivy Soldiers' commitment and sacrifice since the attacks. The footballs that Army will use in the game also contain the 4th Infantry Division's insignia, the ivy-adorned Athena Shield and the same camouflage green colour and pattern as the kit in the Nike Swoosh.

"It's important to honour and to showcase the service academies because, yes, they're playing a game, but they're really there to serve their country", says Nike designer Jason Cochran. "They're out there protecting their country and playing the game that they love."

This marks the 11th consecutive season that Army American Football, the United States Military Academy's Department of History and War Studies, and Nike have collaborated to create the specialty kit for the annual American football game against Navy. The storytelling initiative introduced in 2016 honours the heroes, heritage and missions of the US Army.

"What goes through my mind is there's a meaning behind that jersey", says Army team captain and starting safety Stephen Nnadozie. "People have died behind these units that these jerseys are representing, and to be able to go out there and represent that unit on the field, it means a lot. And you don't take that for granted."

Army is 6–4 against Navy since the kit rivalry series launched.

"It's become a tremendous source of pride for us to wear a different unit's uniform and honour the history of those units over the course of the last 10 years", says Army head coach Jeff Monken. "It's just been incredible. So, every one of those uniforms has been awesome. I mean, every one of them."

Visit ivysoldier.football for more information on the 2026 Army West Point American football kits and the history of the 4th Infantry Division.

Nike has been the exclusive provider of Army West Point athletic kit, footwear and apparel since 2009. Cadet–athletes benefit from advancements in performance technology and a strategic approach to brand elevation on both national and global stages under the partnership.

The Army Men's College Untouchable Game Jersey, along with an assortment of T-shirts, sweatshirts and jackets made specifically for the 127th Army–Navy Game, are available on Nike.com and at select retail locations.