Chargers to wear powder-blue jerseys as primary home uniform

COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — The Chargers' Powder Blues are finally here to stay.

The Los Angeles Chargers will wear their historic powder-blue jerseys as their primary home uniforms in the upcoming season. The franchise announced the long-anticipated move Tuesday, acquiescing to years of fan demand for the eye-catching change.

The franchise has worn variations of the unusual jersey since its 1960 inaugural season in Los Angeles and throughout the following dozen seasons in San Diego.

After two decades out of circulation, the Chargers brought back the so-called Powder Blues as an alternate jersey in 1994. They've worn the light blue jerseys in just 36 games since, but their popularity has always outpaced their on-field usage, with fans buying the jerseys and urging the team to adopt the colors permanently throughout their later years in San Diego.

The Chargers are 4-0 in the powder blues during their two seasons since moving back to Los Angeles, where the shirts remain popular in the stands.

The announcement likely means the Chargers will be wearing the powder-blue look when they move into the multibillion-dollar Inglewood stadium complex they'll share with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

The Bolts also will wear gold facemasks on their white helmets next season. The team has worn colored facemasks at various points in its history, but has only worn them recently with their dark-blue-and-yellow Color Rush jerseys.

The new look was announced on the day before the release of the NFL schedule and the start of season ticket sales at Dignity Health Sports Park.