Los Angeles Angels Officially Rebrand as California Angels…
In a major shift that reconnects with their storied past, ESPN has confirmed that the Los Angeles Angels will officially revert to the name California Angels. The announcement comes amid growing efforts by the franchise to re-establish a broader statewide identity and deepen its historical roots with fans across California.
The decision was confirmed by team owner Arte Moreno during a press conference on Tuesday afternoon. “We believe the name California Angels reflects our mission to represent fans not just in Anaheim or Los Angeles, but throughout the state,” Moreno said. “This is more than a name change—it’s a reconnection with our heritage.”
The franchise originally adopted the name California Angels in 1965 after moving to Anaheim, a title it held until 1996 before transitioning through several rebrands, including the Anaheim Angels and later the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, before settling on Los Angeles Angels in 2016.
The rebrand comes with a new logo, updated uniforms, and marketing initiatives set to roll out ahead of the 2026 MLB season. Team officials say the move has been in the works for over a year and is part of a wider strategy to unify their fan base across Southern and Northern California.
Reactions from the fan community have been largely positive, with many longtime supporters expressing excitement at the return of a name that evokes memories of legends like Rod Carew, Nolan Ryan, and Wally Joyner.
Major League Baseball has approved the change, and all official materials, broadcasts, and merchandise will begin reflecting the California Angels branding starting next season.
As the team looks toward the future, it hopes the rebrand sparks a fresh era of pride, unity, and on-field success under a familiar name.
