Hall of Fame, Arlington Museum of Art Showcase Soccer Fan Scarves in ‘Fabrics of Fanatics’ Exhibit

In partnership with the National Soccer Hall of Fame, the Arlington Museum of Art presents Fabrics of Fanatics, a collaborative community soccer scarf installation project in its small community gallery space in celebration of the 2026 World Cup. This exhibition will feature hundreds of scarves from members of the community, highlighting the artistry of matchday scarves and team appreciation. 

Fabrics of Fanatics opens May 2, 2026, and closes Aug. 2. 

Matchday scarves have long been a tradition in soccer, originally created to show support by wearing team colors. The tradition originated in the U.K. in the early 1900s and has become a symbol of community and pride, bringing together soccer fans in a sea of colors in the stands on match days.

“These scarves have become such an iconic part of fan attire and match-day rituals,” Exhibition Coordinator Hayden Howe said. “They have come a long way from the simple team-colored stripes they started with and have taken on unique designs that we hope to highlight through this exhibition with the help of our community.

“We invite visitors to discover the hidden artistry in these beloved scarves of fans that reflect the spirit of the game and fan culture.”  

If you are interested in having your scarves be a part of this community installation, refer to the museum’s website for more information. Participants will be asked to complete this Google Form and deliver their scarves to the museum by April 10.