Levelwear Launches DRAFTED™, Inviting Artists to Design U.S. Soccer Fan Apparel

New fan-driven platform opens nationwide call for original designs, with selected works moving to fan voting and commercial release.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:04pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented, multi-angled scene of a U.S. Soccer match or celebration, with bold strokes of red, white, and blue representing the national team colors.DRAFTED™ platform empowers artists to shape the visual identity of U.S. Soccer fandom through an open design competition.Buffalo Today

Levelwear, a premium apparel brand, has launched DRAFTED™: United by Design, an inaugural campaign under its new DRAFTED™ platform. The platform invites artists nationwide to submit original designs inspired by U.S. Soccer fan culture, with a curated selection of designs presented to fans for voting. The winning 'DRAFTED™ Top Pick' design will become officially licensed U.S. Soccer apparel, and selected artists will receive a $500 cash award, ongoing royalties, and recognition as 'DRAFTED™ Artists, Class of 2026'.

Why it matters

DRAFTED™ aims to bring artists, sport, and fan culture together, giving creators a meaningful platform within the sport and allowing fans to directly shape the apparel they wear. This initiative aligns with the growing trend of brands empowering fan communities and tapping into grassroots creativity.

The details

Artists can submit one original design, along with a 100-150 word inspiration statement, by April 15, 2026. A curated 'Final Roster' of designs will then be presented to fans for voting from May 15-22, 2026, with the 'DRAFTED™ Top Pick' announced on May 31, 2026. Selected artists will receive a $500 cash award, earn ongoing royalties, and be featured on the DRAFTED™ platform. Rich Tu, a respected designer and faculty member, will serve as the Founding Creative Ambassador for DRAFTED™ and contribute a commemorative design.

  • Submissions open on March 30, 2026 and close on April 15, 2026.
  • Selected DRAFTED™ Artists will be announced on May 15, 2026.
  • Fan voting will take place from May 15 through May 22, 2026.
  • The DRAFTED™ Top Pick will be announced on May 31, 2026.

The players

Levelwear

A premium apparel brand specializing in golf, athletics, and leisurewear. Levelwear is creating the DRAFTED™ platform to connect sport, design, and fan culture.

Hester Ngo

The CEO of Levelwear, who stated that DRAFTED™ gives artists a place inside the culture of the game and gives fans a voice in what that culture looks like on the apparel they wear.

Ashley Taylor

A participating artist, member of the American Outlaws, and Assistant Professor in Design at UCF's School of Visual Arts and Design. Taylor expressed excitement about the opportunity for artists to gain visibility and be featured, paid, and earn royalties through the DRAFTED™ platform.

Rich Tu

The Founding Creative Ambassador for DRAFTED™, a faculty member at SVA NYC, and Executive Creative Director & Partner at Sunday Afternoon. Tu will contribute a separate commemorative design that will be offered as an officially licensed U.S. Soccer product.

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What they’re saying

“DRAFTED™ gives artists a real place inside the culture of the game and gives fans a voice in what that culture looks like on the apparel they wear.”

— Hester Ngo, CEO at Levelwear

“United By Design brings together my two passions, design and soccer. As a designer, I love seeing artists get real visibility within the sport, and as a fan, I love seeing merch that feels meaningful and connected to our national team. Giving fans a voice while ensuring artists are featured, paid, and earn royalties makes this feel genuine and impactful.”

— Ashley Taylor, Participating artist, member of the American Outlaws, and Assistant Professor in Design at UCF's School of Visual Arts and Design

What’s next

The DRAFTED™ Top Pick design will be announced on May 31, 2026 and made available commercially through Levelwear.com, the U.S. Soccer Official Store, and selected on-site U.S. Soccer National Team matches.

The takeaway

DRAFTED™ represents a unique opportunity for artists to gain visibility and recognition within the passionate U.S. Soccer fan community, while also earning ongoing royalties. This fan-driven platform aligns with the growing trend of brands empowering grassroots creativity and giving fans a direct voice in shaping their team's culture and apparel.