If you walked into the TD Garden right now expecting to see a sea of "Kelly Green," you might be in for a bit of a shock. The Celtics city release date for the 2025-26 season has come and gone, and the result is... well, it’s white. And gold. And notably, it’s entirely devoid of green.
Honestly, it’s a weird vibe for a franchise that basically owns the color green.
The official drop happened back on November 11, 2025, when Nike and the NBA unleashed the full City Edition collection across major retailers like Fanatics and the NBA Store. But while the jerseys hit the shelves in November, the actual "reveal" happened much earlier. The Celtics officially pulled the curtain back on September 24, 2024, calling this year's look the "Gold Standard."
The Mystery of the Missing Green
For the first time in the history of the franchise, the Boston Celtics are wearing a uniform that doesn't feature a single stitch of green. Not on the trim. Not on the numbers. Nowhere.
Basically, the design is a white base with gold lettering and numbers, all wrapped in a sharp black outline. It’s meant to celebrate the "timeless tradition of winning," which is a fancy way of saying they’ve won 18 titles and want everyone to remember it. The gold is supposed to represent "success, achievement, and triumph," according to the NBA’s LockerVision platform.
But fans are split. Some people love the clean, "championship" look. Others think it looks a little too much like a Boston Bruins jersey or, worse, a Dallas Mavericks alternate. You've got guys like Jaylen Brown rocking these on the court, and while the talent is there, the visual takes some getting used to.
Specific Details of the 2025-26 Design
If you look closely at the jersey, there are some pretty cool Easter eggs that the average person might miss:
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- Red Auerbach’s Signature: The legendary coach’s signature is printed just above the jock tag. It’s a nice nod to the guy who built the dynasty.
- The "18" on the Collar: Stitched into the back of the collar is the number 18. This is a direct reference to their 18th NBA title, which they secured in 2024.
- Side Panels: There’s a three-color stripe of gold, black, and white running down the sides of the torso.
- The Waistband: On the shorts, the waistband actually features a 2007-08 championship banner design.
Why the Delay in Wearing Them?
Even though the Celtics city release date for retail was in November, the team didn't just start wearing them every night. The NBA has a very specific "LockerVision" schedule. For example, the Celtics wore these gold threads during high-profile matchups like their January 12 game against the Indiana Pacers, which was a huge Peacock NBA Monday exclusive.
Typically, teams wear their City Edition uniforms for about 10 to 15 games a season, mostly for home games or "NBA Cup" tournament nights.
Where to Buy and Pricing
If you're looking to snag one of these, you're looking at the standard Nike pricing tiers.
- Swingman Jersey: This is the one most fans get. It usually runs about $149.99.
- Authentic Jersey: If you want the exact same mesh and stitching the players use, be prepared to drop around $269.99.
- Youth Sizes: These generally hover around the $99.00 mark.
Retailers like DICK'S Sporting Goods and the official Celtics Pro Shop at the Garden usually stay stocked, but the Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown versions tend to sell out fast whenever the team goes on a winning streak.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of fans thought the "Action Green" neon monstrosities from a couple of years ago were coming back. Thank goodness, they aren't.
There was also a rumor that the parquet floor pattern would be sublimated into the fabric, similar to the 2017-18 grey uniforms. That didn't happen this time around. Instead, Nike went for a much smoother, flat white finish. It’s a "remix" of the 2017-18 design that paid homage to the 2007-08 championship team, but with the colors swapped.
One thing to keep in mind: the jersey patch has changed. You won't see General Electric anymore; it’s now the Amica Insurance patch on the left shoulder.
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Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're trying to track these down or see them in person, here is what you should do:
- Check LockerVision: If you want to know exactly which games the Celtics will wear the gold jerseys, go to the official NBA LockerVision website. You can filter by team and see the uniform schedule for the entire month.
- Size Up: If you’re buying the "Authentic" version, remember they run a bit slimmer than the Swingman. If you like a loose fit, go one size up.
- Verify Authenticity: If you're buying from a third-party site (like eBay or a random "cheap jersey" shop), look at the jock tag. The 2025-26 City Edition should have the specific "City Edition" branding and the correct Nike Connect chip (though some newer ones use a QR code).
The 2025-26 season is a weird one for Boston, especially with Jayson Tatum dealing with recovery and the roster seeing some turnover. But at least they’ll look like champions—literally—while they figure it out.
To stay updated on future jersey leaks or schedule changes, you can monitor the official Celtics social media channels or the SportsLogos.net news feed, which usually breaks design news weeks before the league makes it official.