Islanders Select Navy Lighthouse Design from 80,490 Fan Submissions

The New York Islanders have crowned the Navy Lighthouse design as the winner of their fan-voted third jersey contest for the 2027-28 season.

The New York Islanders officially announced on Thursday, August 20, 2026, that the "Navy Lighthouse" design emerged as the victor in the franchise’s third jersey contest. This specific concept triumphed over a massive pool of 80,490 total submissions, establishing a new precedent for professional sports branding. For the first time in the history of the National Hockey League, a franchise utilized a direct public ballot to determine the creative direction for an official on-ice uniform. The winning aesthetic is slated to serve as the primary specialty sweater for the team throughout the 2027-28 campaign.

Key details

Kelly Cheeseman, serving as the Islanders' president of business operations, verified the results following a multi-stage process designed to eliminate traditional barriers between the front office and the community. The organization is now moving into a collaborative phase with Fanatics to translate the digital winning submission into a physical garment that meets all professional performance standards. While the Navy Lighthouse concept provides the core foundation, the team intends to evaluate specific secondary elements from other high-ranking entries to polish the final product.

This initiative represents a significant departure from standard NHL protocol, where jersey designs are typically handled by internal marketing departments and league partners. By processing over 80,000 unique entries, the Islanders granted their supporters an unprecedented level of influence over the club's visual identity. The official team release noted that the upcoming production cycle will focus on maintaining the integrity of the fan-created artwork while ensuring the fabric and stitching adhere to strict league-mandated equipment regulations.

Latest developments

The individual who authored the Navy Lighthouse submission will be granted a series of exclusive honors from the New York organization. These rewards include a customized version of the 2027-28 jersey featuring signatures from every player on the current active roster. Furthermore, the winning designer will receive a pair of tickets to attend the specific home game designated for the uniform’s inaugural on-ice appearance. The franchise aims for the final kit to be a collective achievement that reflects the diverse feedback shared during the open voting window.

As the Islanders transition into the manufacturing stage with Fanatics, the technical focus shifts to color matching and material durability. The organization stated that the refinement period will incorporate various stylistic nuances gathered during the contest to ensure the final product is a comprehensive representation of the fanbase's preferences. President Kelly Cheeseman expressed gratitude to every participant who contributed digital sketches or cast a vote, highlighting that the project successfully shifted the power of visual evolution into the hands of the public.

The timeline for the official rollout includes a series of technical adjustments and a final review by league officials before the jersey hits the production line. This project marks the first time a fan-led voting process has dictated the look of an NHL sweater, setting a benchmark for future league-wide marketing strategies. The Navy Lighthouse design will eventually be available for retail purchase, allowing the 80,490 participants to see the culmination of their collective input in the team store. Every stitch of the new 2027-28 specialty kit will be informed by the data collected during this historic summer selection process.