On Thursday, Austin FC officially dropped the Armadillo Kit, the Club’s new secondary jersey for the 2024 and 2025 seasons which celebrates one of the Austin community’s most famous and vibrant cultural exports: live music.
Armadillo World Headquarters
The Armadillo kit pays homage to Armadillo World Headquarters (AWHQ), an iconic and globally recognized concert venue that flourished from 1970 to 1980. Located at 525 ½ Barton Springs Road, AWHQ has been credited as a cultivator of Austin’s creative, vibrant, and “all ways welcome” spirit that earned Austin’s famous moniker as “The Live Music Capital of the World”. Famous musicians who played at AWHQ include Willie Nelson, Bruce Springsteen, Waylon Jennings, Ray Charles, Stevie Ray Vaughn, ZZ Top, Frank Zappa, members of the Grateful Dead, and The Ramones, amongst others.
“The spirit of the ‘Dillo is still alive today,” said Austin FC Minister of Culture, Matthew McConaughey. “The music, the party, the creativity, and the belief in Austin as a place where all walks of life come together to celebrate community. It’s a uniquely-Austin experience, and that spirit that was created at the ‘Dillo is alive and well at Q2 Stadium on an Austin FC matchday.”
Jersey Launch Party at ACL Live
Austin FC embarked on a cultural collaboration with the original owners of Armadillo World Headquarters to host a special jersey launch party at ACL Live on February 15, where the jersey was physically unveiled for the first time. Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel, as well as country artist William Beckman, local Austin hip-hop artists Kydd Jones and Blackchyl, and DJs King Louie and Orya, all performed.
The event paid homage to AWHQ in many ways, from the music, to the décor, to the food and beverages – where some of AWHQ’s iconic food offerings were available for guests.
“As a relatively new major league team that strives to be a flagbearer for the community, we believe it’s important to pay homage to the people and places who helped build Austin’s creative and vibrant spirit,” said Austin FC President Andy Loughnane. “The spirit of camaraderie and community that came to life at Armadillo World Headquarters is still very much on display today in Austin and you see it come to life at Q2 Stadium on an Austin FC matchday.”
Up Close
The Armadillo Kit features a new shade of Verde set against a cream-colored base, with an image of an armadillo on the jock tag, as well as Armadillo World Headquarters’ original address of 525 1⁄2 Barton Springs Road on the back of the neckline.
The jersey also features the intertwining oaks found within the Club’s original crest, which represents a focus on the oak imagery in a way that has not previously been woven into an Austin FC jersey. The new kit is then rounded out with the Club’s front of jersey sponsor YETI – another iconic local Austin brand whose downtown Austin flagship store sits a block away from the original Armadillo World Headquarters – and sleeve sponsor Netspend.
Where To Buy
The Armadillo Kit is available now at the Verde Store at Q2 Stadium, the Verde Store on Congress, and online on VerdeVan.com in all styles. Shipping options are available at MLSStore.com.
