2026 USQ CUP LOGO DESIGN
Each year, over 40 college and club quadball teams from across the United States train, travel, and compete for the chance to play at USQ’s premier event: the US Quadball Cup.
For the 2026 USQ Cup, hosted in Placer Valley, California, we tapped former USQ West player and graphic design Austin Sharp to design a new brand identity.
Sharp’s concept reflects the unique blend of natural beauty and vibrant community that defines the region, celebrating both the spirit of competition and the inclusive values that make quadball unlike any other sport.
PROCESS
Designer Austin Sharp talks about the process.
When designing an event logo tied to a specific location, I like to begin by exploring the landmarks and symbols that define the area. The 2026 US Quadball Cup will take place in Placer Valley, which encompasses Roseville, Rocklin, and Lincoln in Northern California. After researching the region, what stood out most was its seamless blend of natural beauty and metropolitan energy.
The logo’s shape draws inspiration from the area’s connection to Interstate 80, one of the nation’s original highway routes. The familiar interstate shield forms the foundation of the badge—refined and reshaped to suit the modern look of the event. To represent Placer Valley’s natural landscape, the Sierra Nevada mountains replace the upper points of the badge, grounding the design in the region’s geography and outdoor spirit.
COLOR PALETTE
The color palette features three tones: bright green, deep blue, and light blue. The bright green comes directly from Placer Valley Tourism’s brand, while the deep blue is pulled from US Quadball’s official palette. A lighter blue bridges the two, creating a balanced, naturalistic color story that reflects both the area’s lush outdoors and the active, energetic tone of the sport.
TYPOGRAPHY
Typography plays an equally important role. The logo uses two weights from the Amifer type family—a clean sans serif with subtle curvature that adds character without compromising legibility. The bold and extra-bold weights convey confidence and momentum, echoing the speed, intensity, and prestige of US Quadball’s premier event.
Want to hire our designer, Austin Sharp, to make your logo? Contact: asharp95@gmail.com