The Ottawa REDBLACKS have officially unveiled their new away uniforms, marking a significant milestone in the club’s visual identity. For the first time since the 2019 season, Ottawa will take the field with near‑identical home and away kits, completing a transformation nearly four years in the making.
By 2024, a new home uniform was released ahead of the REDBLACKS’ 10th anniversary season. That design drew heavily from the iconic Ottawa Rough Riders aesthetic, bringing back a classic look that had been absent from the city’s CFL landscape for decades. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and the shift signaled a renewed embrace of Ottawa’s football heritage.
Now, almost exactly two years after that home uniform launch, the REDBLACKS have completed the vision. The newly revealed away kit mirrors the home set closely, crisp, traditional, and unmistakably inspired by the Rough Riders era. It’s the first time in years that Ottawa’s uniforms feel unified, intentional, and deeply connected to the franchise’s storied past.
What began as a nostalgic nod in 2022 has evolved into a full identity reset. With both home and away kits now aligned, the REDBLACKS have firmly re‑established a look that honours the city’s football legacy while giving the modern team a clean, timeless visual foundation.
“This jersey reflects everything that we cherish about REDBLACKS football: tradition, pride, and an unwavering connection to our fans,” said Adrian Sciarra, President of the Ottawa REDBLACKS. “When we set out to design this uniform, we wanted to create something that honoured our history while representing who we are today. Every detail tells part of that story but most importantly, this uniform is to connect and honour our fans across generations who continue to help us write the next chapter of Ottawa football.”
The club set out to connect generations of Ottawa football fans and with this, they’ve done exactly that. The iconic striping isn’t just back on the shoulders; it now returns to the pants as well, restoring a visual hallmark that was noticeably absent when the home uniform debuted in 2024. It’s a small detail with big symbolic weight, completing the classic profile that defined Ottawa football for decades.
The bold “OTTAWA” wordmark remains firmly in place across the chest, a staple since 2016. More than a design choice, it has become a declaration of identity, a unifying emblem that ties together the city, its players, and the generations of supporters who have carried the sport forward in the capital.
And at the heart of it all, the bold “R” endures. It’s more than a logo; it’s the visual shorthand for Ottawa football itself. A symbol that spans eras, franchises, and memories, now anchoring a look that finally feels whole again.
The notched numbers and “R” also remain, preserving two of the most recognizable elements of the REDBLACKS’ visual identity. They are continuity markers, symbols that bridge eras and reinforce the club’s commitment to maintaining a clear, unmistakable brand.
Inside the collar, RNation continues to hold its place. It’s a subtle detail, but a meaningful one, a reminder of the passionate, loyal fan base that fills the stands and fuels the team week after week. It’s a nod to the community that has shaped Ottawa football as much as any player or coach.
If there’s one area where the new look feels incomplete, it’s the helmet. The club opted to retain the black home primary, but with the away set leaning so heavily into a clean, all white aesthetic, a complementary white helmet would have elevated the uniform even further.
As a whole, the REDBLACKS now look more like a what if the Rough Riders didn’t fold in 1996 than they do an expansion team in its 12th season but I don’t think that is a problem. Ottawa Rough Riders carry 120 years of Ottawa Football history, much like the Montréal Alouettes carrying on the name when they returned in 1996, the REDBLACKS have decided to carry on the look that graced Ottawa for decades.
The REDBLACKS will debut their new look all-white uniforms at home when they host the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday June 20 at 1:00pm at TD Place.
Jerseys are for sale, you can purchase yours HERE