Tulane Football Unveils Mardi Gras-Inspired City Edition Uniform and Helmet
Aug 12, 2026 | Football
NEW ORLEANS – On Wednesday, Tulane Athletics revealed the 2026 City Edition uniform and hand-painted helmet, inspired by one of the city's most cherished traditions: Mardi Gras. These special uniforms celebrate New Orleans as the King of Mardi Gras, and Green Wave Football will wear them during the Uptown Kickoff game against South Alabama on Saturday, September 12. Fans have a unique opportunity to own these game-worn collector's items by purchasing them through the Wave Warehouse. All proceeds from the helmet and uniform sales will benefit the Green Wave Talent Fund, supporting NIL opportunities for Tulane student-athletes.
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The 2026 City Edition uniform and helmet embody the vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The helmet was hand-painted by renowned helmet artist Armando Villarreal, who also designed Tulane's first City Edition helmet in 2025. A former U.S. Army Reserve member with deployments in Kosovo and Iraq during the early 2000s, Villarreal balanced his city job while airbrushing hundreds of helmets each year. In 2022, he transitioned to full-time artistry and has since become a prominent figure in this specialized craft.
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The helmet features a Kelly green base and, for the first time ever, displays the Jester Angry Wave painted boldly on each side in the iconic Mardi Gras float prop style. An argyle pattern stripe in purple, green, and gold runs down the center of the helmet, with alternating solid and bead-outline diamonds. Beads are scattered across the helmet, reminiscent of the streets of New Orleans on Mardi Gras Day. A subtle nod to the elaborate floats of Carnival season is seen in the back warning sticker, shaped like a Mardi Gras float sign. The front bumper showcases a king cake, the traditional Mardi Gras dessert.
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The uniform incorporates many of these festive elements, with Mardi Gras argyle patterns down the sides of the white pants and on the collar of the Kelly green jersey, paying homage to Tulane Football jerseys of the early 2000s. A Jester Angry Wave appears on the right hip of the pants and adorns the collar's point as well. The jersey numbers feature a unique triple drop shadow of purple, green, and gold on the front, back, and shoulders. Additionally, the first and last letters of each player's name on the back are decorated with Mardi Gras beads, echoing the trees along St. Charles Avenue during Carnival season.
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These King of Mardi Gras City Edition helmets and uniforms are one-of-a-kind, to be worn only once, making them highly collectible. A limited number of helmets and jerseys are available for purchase now through the Wave Warehouse, though fans will receive them after the regular season concludes. All proceeds from sales will directly benefit the Green Wave Talent Fund, fostering NIL opportunities and supporting the next generation of Tulane student-athletes.
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Fans interested in owning this unique piece of Mardi Gras memorabilia and supporting the Green Wave can purchase a 2026 City Edition helmet or jersey HERE. An accompanying apparel line will also be available at local Tulane retailers prior to the September 12 game. Tickets for the Uptown Kickoff Mardi Gras game against South Alabama can be purchased at TulaneTix.com.
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GREEN WAVE CLUB
Giving to the Green Wave Club provides Tulane Athletics with the resources student‑athletes need to excel in competition and in the classroom. Your support directly improves the lives of current and future Green Wave student‑athletes and enhances Tulane's competitiveness in intercollegiate athletics. Make a gift today by calling (504) 865‑5356, emailing greenwaveclub@tulane.edu, or visiting GreenWaveClub.com.
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The 2026 City Edition uniform and helmet embody the vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The helmet was hand-painted by renowned helmet artist Armando Villarreal, who also designed Tulane's first City Edition helmet in 2025. A former U.S. Army Reserve member with deployments in Kosovo and Iraq during the early 2000s, Villarreal balanced his city job while airbrushing hundreds of helmets each year. In 2022, he transitioned to full-time artistry and has since become a prominent figure in this specialized craft.
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The helmet features a Kelly green base and, for the first time ever, displays the Jester Angry Wave painted boldly on each side in the iconic Mardi Gras float prop style. An argyle pattern stripe in purple, green, and gold runs down the center of the helmet, with alternating solid and bead-outline diamonds. Beads are scattered across the helmet, reminiscent of the streets of New Orleans on Mardi Gras Day. A subtle nod to the elaborate floats of Carnival season is seen in the back warning sticker, shaped like a Mardi Gras float sign. The front bumper showcases a king cake, the traditional Mardi Gras dessert.
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The uniform incorporates many of these festive elements, with Mardi Gras argyle patterns down the sides of the white pants and on the collar of the Kelly green jersey, paying homage to Tulane Football jerseys of the early 2000s. A Jester Angry Wave appears on the right hip of the pants and adorns the collar's point as well. The jersey numbers feature a unique triple drop shadow of purple, green, and gold on the front, back, and shoulders. Additionally, the first and last letters of each player's name on the back are decorated with Mardi Gras beads, echoing the trees along St. Charles Avenue during Carnival season.
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These King of Mardi Gras City Edition helmets and uniforms are one-of-a-kind, to be worn only once, making them highly collectible. A limited number of helmets and jerseys are available for purchase now through the Wave Warehouse, though fans will receive them after the regular season concludes. All proceeds from sales will directly benefit the Green Wave Talent Fund, fostering NIL opportunities and supporting the next generation of Tulane student-athletes.
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Fans interested in owning this unique piece of Mardi Gras memorabilia and supporting the Green Wave can purchase a 2026 City Edition helmet or jersey HERE. An accompanying apparel line will also be available at local Tulane retailers prior to the September 12 game. Tickets for the Uptown Kickoff Mardi Gras game against South Alabama can be purchased at TulaneTix.com.
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GREEN WAVE CLUB
Giving to the Green Wave Club provides Tulane Athletics with the resources student‑athletes need to excel in competition and in the classroom. Your support directly improves the lives of current and future Green Wave student‑athletes and enhances Tulane's competitiveness in intercollegiate athletics. Make a gift today by calling (504) 865‑5356, emailing greenwaveclub@tulane.edu, or visiting GreenWaveClub.com.
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