FORT WORTH, Texas – The Ariat Texas Rattlers, 2023 PBR Teams Champions, today unveiled their 2026 City Jersey, a Fort Worth-inspired design connecting the team’s rattlesnake identity with the city’s military history through the phrase “Defend the Fort.”

The 2026 design marks the Rattlers’ third City Jersey, continuing the team’s tradition of using the special-edition jersey to tell a piece of Fort Worth’s story. Previous designs have celebrated the city’s “Panther City” identity and its Cowtown and Stockyards heritage. 

This year’s jersey draws inspiration from Fort Worth’s military history. The front of the jersey features a rattlesnake rising alongside the Texas flag beneath the words “The Fort.” On the back, archival imagery of Fort Worth’s Camp Bowie appears behind a large “26” representing the 2026 season. A subtle snakeskin pattern runs across the sleeves, with red, white and blue details from Texas’ Lone Star State flag incorporated throughout the jersey.

The jersey draws on the rattlesnake’s place in American history as a symbol of vigilance, independence and fair warning. Benjamin Franklin used a segmented snake in his 1754 “Join, or Die” illustration – a call to the colonies to band together, and during the American Revolution, the coiled rattlesnake became a widely recognized symbol of resistance and readiness. 

The design also pays tribute to Camp Bowie, an important part of American military history and key driver of Fort Worth’s early growth. Established in 1917 and named after the famous Texan frontiersman James “Jim” Bowie, Camp Bowie trained more than 100,000 soldiers in the 36th Infantry Division for service in World War I. Following its decommissioning in 1919, many families moved into the area.

The phrase “Defend the Fort” is a nod to the U.S. Army motto “This We’ll Defend,” adapted by the Rattlers to represent protecting their home dirt, team and city. The phrase also carries a competitive meaning for the Rattlers, who are 11-1 on home dirt through the first four seasons of PBR Teams competition. 

“This jersey tells a story that is authentically connected to Fort Worth,” said Chad Blankenship, President and General Manager of the Ariat Texas Rattlers. “The rattlesnake has represented vigilance and readiness throughout American history, and Camp Bowie is an important part of this city’s military legacy. ‘Defend the Fort’ ties those elements together and reflects the identity of the Texas Rattlers and the city we represent.”

The City Jersey will serve as the Rattlers’ special walkout jersey during team introductions throughout all three days at Rattler Days, Oct. 2–4. Fans will also be able to purchase a special-edition team replica jersey. 

As part of the jersey launch, retired U.S. Army Green Beret and Purple Heart recipient John Wayne Walding will appear in an upcoming video sharing the story behind the jersey. 

The 2026 City Jersey will be available for presale beginning Wednesday, Sept. 16, here.

Images of the 2026 Rattlers City Jersey are available here. 

The Rattlers return to Dickies Arena Oct. 2–4 for Rattler Days, their annual PBR Teams homestand in Fort Worth. Tickets for Rattler Days can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com, PBR.com or by phone at 1-800-732-1727.

Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media