St. Louis CITY SC has unveiled a groundbreaking “Tina Turner Kit,” a landmark collaboration with adidas that commemorates the legendary two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and the city that ignited her career. This release represents a historic milestone, as it is the first time adidas has partnered with a female musical artist for a sports kit on a global scale.
Born Anna Mae Bullock, the singer arrived in St. Louis at age 16, settling in The Ville and attending Sumner High School. Her transformation began in the city’s electric R&B circuits; it was at Club Manhattan in 1957 where she famously took the stage during an intermission, a move that launched the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. While her path was often fraught with personal challenges, St. Louis remained the crucible where her artistic persona was forged.
The club revealed that the jersey’s aesthetic captures the raw energy of Turner’s performances. The shimmering gold fabric mirrors her iconic fringed stage dresses, while a metallic gold silhouette adorns the tag. Her signature is featured in “CITY Red,” a shade specifically chosen to evoke her trademark lipstick and nails.
Developed in tandem with Turner’s estate, BMG, and Warner Music Group, the kit will serve as the team’s secondary jersey for the 2026 and 2027 MLS seasons.
“St. Louis represents a true homecoming for Tina,” noted Erwin Bach, Turner’s husband. “This is the place where she first experienced the electricity of the stage and the pure joy of performing for an audience.”
“Tina Turner didn’t just change the landscape of music; she redefined culture for generations,” said Carolyn Kindle, CEO of St. Louis CITY SC. “It is a distinct privilege to honor her legacy. St. Louis has birthed many legendary artists, but Tina truly sits at the pinnacle.”
To celebrate the life of Turner, who passed away in 2023 at 83, the club has organized an extensive cultural program. The centerpiece is Eternal: A Tribute to Tina Turner, a concert scheduled for Feb. 15. The event features Grammy-winning artist Brittany Howard performing alongside the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra at the newly restored Powell Hall.
“Tina’s spirit and resilience have been a guiding light for me since childhood,” Howard shared. “Collaborating with St. Louis CITY SC and the Symphony to celebrate her influence is a deeply personal endeavor. I am honored to help keep her legacy resonating today.”
The tribute will also feature St. Louis native and The Voice star Kennedy Holmes, along with vocalists Tamika Lawrence and Shaleah Adkisson. Under the baton of Stéphane Denève and Anthony Parnther, the group will perform orchestral renditions of Turner’s most celebrated hits.
“It is an incredible honor to join Brittany in paying homage to a woman I admire so deeply,” said Holmes. “As a young performer from St. Louis, Tina’s meteoric rise to global stardom remains a constant source of inspiration.”
The festivities extend beyond the stadium with a dedicated Tina Turner Pop-up Shop at City Foundry from Feb. 11–20. Fans can purchase the new kit and view rare artifacts from Turner’s career, including her stage wardrobe and several of her eight Grammy Awards. Additionally, proceeds from the kit will support a new music education initiative with the arts organization COCA, introducing local youth to music and choreography inspired by Turner’s work.
The tribute will culminate in a dedicated “Tina Turner Night” during the club’s home match on August 22. Since its inception in 2023, St. Louis CITY SC has consistently woven music into its brand, previously partnering with rapper Smino to promote local talent and hosting community-focused events that bridge the gap between sport and sound.
