Cork City FC Unveils Rainbow Third Kit for 2026 Season, Partners with LGBTQ+ Youth Organization Belong To

Key facts

• Cork City FC released a rainbow-themed third kit for the 2026 season, featuring the design on the badge, sponsorship logos, Rebel Army Clothing logo, and sleeves.
• The club partnered with Belong To, the national organization supporting LGBTQ+ youth aged 14–23, for the entire 2026 season.
• A minimum of €5,000 from jersey sales (retailing at €60) will fund Belong To’s national youth services, crisis counselling, and educational initiatives.
• In 2019, Cork City FC became the first League of Ireland club to show explicit support for the LGBTQ+ community with a one-off Pride jersey.
• Erika Ní Thuama, Community Co-ordinator at Cork City FC, stated the club aimed to reaffirm its commitment to inclusion for all in sport.
• Kieran O’Donovan, recently appointed CEO of Belong To and a Cork native, said 'visibility saves lives' and emphasized the power of the pride flag alongside the club’s colors.
• The jersey is available at the Cork City FC shop in Douglas Village Shopping Centre and online at CCFC.ie/2026.

A Rainbow on the Pitch: Cork City’s Bold Statement for Inclusion

Cork City FC has unveiled its third kit for the 2026 season, a jersey that carries a rainbow design across the club badge, sponsorship logos, Rebel Army Clothing logo, and sleeves. The kit is a deliberate symbol of the club’s dedication to diversity and its commitment to making sport inclusive for everyone, whether player or fan. The First Division leaders have paired the launch with a season-long partnership with Belong To, the national organization that supports LGBTQ+ youth aged 14 to 23. The collaboration goes beyond symbolism: a minimum of €5,000 from sales of the €60 jersey will directly fund Belong To’s crisis counselling, youth groups, and educational programs for teachers and youth workers.

From a Historic 2019 Jersey to a Full-Season Commitment

This initiative builds on Cork City’s history of LGBTQ+ advocacy. In 2019, the Rebel Army became the first League of Ireland club to demonstrate explicit support for the community, releasing a one-off Pride jersey that was worn by players and auctioned to raise money for Cork Pride. That single gesture has now evolved into a sustained partnership. Erika Ní Thuama, the club’s Community Co-ordinator, said the 2026 jersey was a chance to reaffirm that commitment. “Cork has an especially diverse and vibrant community, and we tend to support our own,” she noted, adding that the club felt it important to show inclusion for all, “as a player or a fan.”

Belong To’s CEO: ‘Visibility Saves Lives’

Kieran O’Donovan, recently appointed as Belong To’s CEO and a native of Bandon, County Cork, underscored the deeper purpose of the collaboration. “At Belong To, we know that visibility saves lives,” he said. “Seeing the iconic Cork City FC colors side-by-side with the pride flag sends a powerful message to LGBTQ+ young people that they belong – not just in the stands, but in the heart of the sporting community.” O’Donovan expressed pride in partnering with the Rebel Army to champion an Ireland where every young person is safe and supported exactly as they are. The organization coordinates a national network of youth groups, provides training for educators and youth workers, and offers crisis counselling and family support services.

Tangible Support: €60 Jerseys Fund Youth Services

The jersey retails at €60 and is available at the Cork City FC shop in Douglas Village Shopping Centre and online at CCFC.ie/2026. A minimum of €5,000 from sales will go directly to Belong To’s national youth services, which include crisis counselling, educational initiatives, and family support. The club’s support extends beyond the jersey sale: the partnership with Belong To runs throughout the 2026 season, ensuring ongoing visibility and fundraising for the organization’s work with queer and trans youth in Ireland.

A Broader Movement in Irish Sport

Cork City FC’s move places it at the forefront of LGBTQ+ inclusion in Irish football. The club’s 2019 Pride jersey was a pioneering step; the 2026 third kit and season-long partnership represent a deeper institutional commitment. By embedding the rainbow design across all visible elements of the kit and tying sales to a national youth organization, the club is leveraging its platform to drive both visibility and material support. For Belong To, the partnership with a leading League of Ireland club amplifies its message that LGBTQ+ young people belong in every part of Irish society, including sport. The organization’s work, which reaches thousands of young people annually, now gains a high-profile ally in the Rebel Army.

What Comes Next: Sales, Visibility, and Impact

The jersey is now on sale, and the club expects strong demand from fans who want to show support for the cause. The minimum €5,000 pledge is likely to be exceeded if sales match the enthusiasm seen for previous special-edition kits. For Cork City FC, the initiative reinforces its identity as a community-focused club. For Belong To, the partnership provides crucial funding and a powerful symbol of acceptance. As O’Donovan put it, the sight of the pride flag alongside the club’s colors sends a message that resonates far beyond the pitch.

The bottom line

• Cork City FC’s 2026 third kit features a rainbow design across the badge, sponsorship, and sleeves, symbolizing support for LGBTQ+ inclusion.
• The club has partnered with Belong To, Ireland’s national LGBTQ+ youth organization, for the entire 2026 season.
• A minimum of €5,000 from jersey sales (€60 each) will fund Belong To’s crisis counselling, youth groups, and educational programs.
• In 2019, Cork City became the first League of Ireland club to release a Pride jersey, setting a precedent for this expanded commitment.
• Belong To CEO Kieran O’Donovan emphasized that visibility saves lives, and the partnership sends a powerful message of belonging to LGBTQ+ youth.
• The jersey is available at the club shop in Douglas Village Shopping Centre and online, with proceeds directly supporting queer and trans youth services.