Sports apparel brand Levelwear is inviting artists and creators to help drive the identity, passion, and culture of U.S. Soccer fans by submitting original work for possible inclusion in a newly-launched campaign, DRAFTED™: United by Design.
Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Toronto, Canada, the inaugural campaign under Lelvelwear’s new DRAFTED™ platform kicks off with a “nationwide open call inviting artists to help shape the next expression of U.S. Soccer fandom as the sport moves toward a defining moment on the global stage,” according to a press statement from Levelwear.
Theme: United by Design
The U.S. soccer community expresses their passion through art, graphics, and supporter culture, according to the DRAFTED website. This year’s theme invites artists to explore the identity, pride, and energy that unite U.S. Soccer fans. Designs may draw inspiration from:
- Match day energy
- Supporter traditions
- National pride
- The diversity of the U.S. Soccer fan community
Artists are encouraged to bring their own creative perspective to the theme. Register here.
Fan voting takes place May 15-22 from a curated group of “standout designs” selected as “Drafted Artists” and drafted into the final roster for fan voting.
- Submissions open on March 30 and close on April 15.
- Selected DRAFTED™ Artists will be announced on May 15.
- Fan voting will take place from May 15 through May 22.
- The DRAFTED™ Top Pick will be announced on May 31.
Platform Powered By Fans
A fan-driven design and voting platform, DRAFTED was built to bring artists, sport, and fan culture together in one place. Artists are invited to submit original work inspired by the “identity, passion, and culture of U.S. Soccer fans.”
A curated Final Roster of designs will then be presented to fans for voting, with one design named the DRAFTED™ Top Pick. All selected designs will become officially licensed U.S. Soccer apparel.
“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,” said Hester Ngo, CEO at Levelwear. “United by Design is about opening the door to new artists and creating something authentic to the people who live this sport most passionately.”
Royalties, Recognition, Award
Selected entrants will be recognized as DRAFTED™ Artists, Class of 2026, receive a $500 Cash Award, earn ongoing royalties, and be featured on the DRAFTED™ platform. One artist will then be chosen by fans as the DRAFTED™ Top Pick.
“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,” Taylor added.
“United By Design brings together my two passions, design and soccer,” said Ashley Taylor, participating artist, member of the American Outlaws, and Assistant Professor in Design at UCF’s School of Visual Arts and Design.
Founding Creative Ambassador
Rich Tu joins the campaign as Founding Creative Ambassador for DRAFTED™. A faculty member at SVA NYC and Executive Creative Director & Partner at Sunday Afternoon, Tu brings a respected voice and reinforces DRAFTED’s commitment to artists as a meaningful part of fan culture. He will also contribute a separate commemorative design that will be offered as an officially licensed U.S. Soccer product outside the fan-voted competition.
DRAFTED™: United by Design is open to U.S. residents who are the age of majority where they live. Artists may submit one original design, along with a 100-150 word inspiration statement. Submissions must be human created. The use of generative AI to create or assist in the submitted design is prohibited.
Deadline is April 15
Submissions open March 30 and close April 15. Selected DRAFTED™ Artists will be announced on May 15, with fan voting from May 15 through May 22. The DRAFTED™ Top Pick will be announced on May 31, and made available commercially through Levelwear.com, the U.S. Soccer Official Store, and selected on-site U.S. Soccer National Team matches.
Artists interested in participating can learn more and register at www.draftedofficial.com.
About DRAFTED
DRAFTED™ is a fan-driven design and voting platform created by Levelwear. Built at the intersection of art, sport, and fan culture, DRAFTED™ invites creators to design original work inspired by the game and gives fans a voice in choosing which designs move forward as officially licensed apparel. DRAFTED™: United by Design is the inaugural campaign under the broader DRAFTED™ platform.
About Levelwear
Levelwear is a premium apparel brand specializing in golf, athletics, and leisurewear. Through DRAFTED™, Levelwear is creating a new platform that connects sport, design, and fan culture.
