RCB 2026 Jersey — What's New
The Royal Challengers Bangalore 2026 official match jersey keeps the iconic red and black but with a refreshed geometric pattern and gold accents for the WPL/IPL season. At TopCricketStore, we stock both the official PUMA replica and fan versions.
Official Match Jersey vs Fan Jersey
| Feature | Match Jersey | Fan Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric | PUMA dryCELL — 100% recycled polyester with moisture-wicking channel knit | 85% polyester / 15% elastane blend — softer, more stretch |
| Breathability | High — engineered airflow panels under arms and across back | Moderate — suitable for casual wear and mild activity |
| Fit | Athletic (slim / contoured) | Regular (relaxed, true to size) |
| Sponsor logos | All official (Qatar Airways, DP World) — heat-pressed, not printed | Team crest only — sublimation printed |
| Badge / Crest | Embroidered woven badge — raised texture | Flat sublimation print or iron-on badge |
| Weight | ~150 gsm — featherlight for on-field performance | ~180–200 gsm — slightly heavier, more durable for daily wear |
| Price | $90–$110 | $55–$75 |
Real talk: The match jersey looks and feels premium — the dryCELL 100% recycled polyester genuinely keeps you cooler and dries in minutes. The moisture-wicking channel knit pulls sweat away from the skin far more efficiently than the fan version's standard weave. But the fan jersey's elastane blend gives it a softer, stretchier feel that most people prefer for casual wear — and it costs nearly half. If you're watching the game at a bar or just repping RCB on the street, the fan jersey is the smarter buy. If you're playing cricket in it or want the closest thing to what Virat wears on the pitch, go match jersey.
Sizing Guide
PUMA RCB jerseys run true to size but the match jersey is an athletic fit — size up if you're between sizes or prefer a looser fit. To measure correctly, wrap a tape measure around the fullest part of your chest (under your arms, across your shoulder blades) and keep it level. Use the chest measurement below as your primary guide.
| Size | Chest Width (inches) | Chest Circumference (inches) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | 18 | 36–38 | Slim builds, youth crossover |
| M | 19–20 | 38–40 | Average build, most popular size |
| L | 20–21 | 40–42 | Broader chest, athletic frame |
| XL | 21–22 | 42–44 | Larger build or looser athletic fit |
| XXL | 22–23 | 44–46 | Big & tall, very relaxed fan jersey fit |
Sizing tip for the match jersey: The athletic cut is noticeably slimmer through the torso. If you typically wear a L in regular T-shirts, try the XL in the match jersey for a comfortable (non-skin-tight) fit. The fan jersey's elastane content gives it more stretch, so true-to-size is usually fine there.
Youth sizes: We also carry youth S through XL. Youth sizing runs 1–2 sizes small compared to adult sizing — a youth XL fits roughly a 12–14 year old with a ~32–34″ chest. When in doubt, order one size up in youth.
Customization Options
Want your name and number on the back? We offer custom printing — add "Virat 18" or your own name. Custom jerseys take 48 hours to process before shipping.
Why Buy From TopCricketStore?
- Official PUMA-licensed RCB merchandise — not knockoffs from unauthorised sellers
- Ships from our New Jersey warehouse — arrives in 2–4 days on the East Coast
- Stock verified daily — what you see online is what's on our shelf
- Easy returns if the size isn't right
→ Shop All IPL Jerseys | → All Team Jerseys
Supporting Another IPL Team?
If you're a Mumbai Indians fan — or buying jerseys for multiple teams — check out our full buying guide for the MI Jersey 2026: Mumbai Indians Official Match & Fan Jersey. Same format: match jersey vs fan jersey comparison, sizing chart, customisation options, and where to find authentic stock.
How to Spot a Fake RCB Jersey
Counterfeit IPL jerseys flood marketplaces like Amazon and eBay during the season — some look convincing at a glance but fall apart after two washes. Here's how to tell a fake from the real thing before you spend your money:
- Stitching quality: Authentic PUMA jerseys have tight, even stitching with no loose threads, especially around the collar, sleeves, and hem. Fakes often have irregular stitch spacing, fraying at stress points, or visible glue residue where fabric is bonded rather than sewn.
- Badge and crest: The official RCB match jersey features an embroidered woven badge with slightly raised texture — you can feel the individual threads. A counterfeit badge is typically flat, plasticky, and has blurry colour separation between red, black, and gold.
- Sponsor logo placement: Real match jerseys have precisely heat-pressed sponsor logos (Qatar Airways, DP World) with clean edges and no bubbling. Fakes use cheap screen-printing that cracks after one wash or peels at the corners.
- Hang tag and PUMA label: Genuine jerseys carry a serialised hang tag, a QR authentication code, and a woven PUMA inner neck label with the correct sizing. Fake jerseys often have printed (not woven) inner labels and generic or mismatched hang tags.
- Fabric feel: Real dryCELL polyester is almost silky and lightweight. Counterfeits often feel stiff, slightly scratchy, or have a plastic-like sheen — they also retain body heat rather than wicking it away.
- Price too good to be true: If someone is selling an "official match jersey" for $25–$35, it's a fake. Authentic PUMA RCB match jerseys retail at $90–$110. Even discounted, legitimate licensed stock rarely drops below $70.
- Seller verification: Buy only from PUMA-authorised retailers. At TopCricketStore, every jersey is sourced directly from PUMA's licensed distribution — we can provide documentation if requested.
If you've received a jersey that doesn't match what was advertised, contact us — we'll help you verify authenticity and process a return if it turns out to be counterfeit stock.
RCB Jersey Care & Washing Guide
Sublimated polyester jerseys are durable, but they need the right care to keep colours vibrant, logos intact, and fabric performing season after season. Follow these steps and your RCB jersey will look match-day sharp for years.
Washing:
- Always wash inside out — this protects the sublimation print and logos from abrasion against other garments.
- Cold water only (30°C / 86°F max) — heat is the enemy of polyester dye. Hot water causes colours to bleed and fade, especially on the vivid RCB red.
- Gentle / delicate cycle — reduces mechanical friction on printed panels and woven badges.
- Mild, colour-safe detergent — avoid bleach, fabric softener, or "sport" detergents with harsh enzymes. These degrade the moisture-wicking properties of dryCELL fabric.
- Wash separately or with similar colours — especially for the first few washes, the deep red dye can bleed slightly onto lighter fabrics.
Drying:
- Never tumble dry — even a low-heat setting will degrade printed logos, cause the fabric to pill, and shrink the collar. The FAQ says it, and we mean it.
- Hang dry in shade — hang on a wide plastic hanger (not a metal wire hanger, which leaves shoulder creases). Keep out of direct sunlight; UV exposure fades sublimation prints over time.
- Do not wring or twist — squeeze gently and let gravity do the work. The lightweight polyester dries in 30–60 minutes in most conditions.
Storage:
- Store folded or hung in a dry wardrobe — avoid damp spaces or plastic bags, which trap moisture and cause mildew odour in synthetic fabrics.
- Don't iron directly on logos or numbers — if you need to remove wrinkles, iron inside out on the lowest setting, or use a steamer held 2–3 inches from the fabric surface.
- For long-term storage (off-season): fold inside out, place in a breathable cotton bag, and store flat. This prevents hanger stretch on the collar and shoulders.
Treat it right and your RCB jersey becomes a permanent part of your match-day kit — not just another shirt that fades after six months.
FAQ
Q: Is this the same jersey Virat Kohli wears?
The match jersey is identical to the on-field version. The fan jersey is a replica — same design, lighter fabric, no sponsor logos.
Q: How do I wash my RCB jersey?
Cold wash, inside out, hang dry. Never tumble dry — the heat damages the printed logos and numbers.
Q: Do you stock RCB jerseys for kids?
Yes — we carry youth sizes S through XL. Youth sizing runs small — check the size chart before ordering.
Q: Can I return a customized jersey?
Custom-printed jerseys (with name/number) cannot be returned unless there's a manufacturing defect. Double-check your size before ordering customization.
RCB jersey stock and pricing current as of June 2026. IPL merchandise sells fast during season — order early.