The Houston Rockets, a professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas, has undergone numerous logo transformations since its inception in 1967. Despite these changes, the rocket theme has remained a constant visual element, symbolizing speed, progress, and ambition. Today, the team's logo is sleek, modern, and sophisticated, reflecting the dynamic nature of the franchise.

What is the Houston Rockets Logo?

The Houston Rockets logo represents the professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas, renowned for its rich history and multiple NBA championships. From its early days in San Diego to its relocation in 1971, the logo has evolved, yet the iconic rocket motif remains central to the visual identity, symbolizing the team's growth and aspirations.

1967 – 1971: The First Logo of the San Diego Rockets

The first logo, created in 1967 for the San Diego Rockets, featured an orange basketball inside a green circular frame, with a yellow inscription around it. A blue rocket, flying diagonally upward across the basketball, symbolized the team’s progress and ambition. The design captured the essence of the team's vision, even as they were still in the early stages of their journey.

1971 – 1972: The Move to Houston and the “Ketchup and Mustard” Era

After relocating to Houston in 1971, the Rockets introduced a new logo—a caricature of a basketball player with a rocket behind him. The color palette of yellow and red, affectionately dubbed the “Ketchup and Mustard” logo, was bright and whimsical. Although the logo was only used for one year, it remains a memorable part of the franchise's early history.

1972 – 1995: A Bold and Modern Look

In 1972, the team adopted a new logo featuring a mustard-yellow basketball with white lines, enclosed in a red frame. The word “Houston” appeared at the top, with "Rockets" in a bold, black, italicized font inside the ball. This design would remain unchanged for over 20 years, marking a period of stability for the franchise.

1995 – 2003: A Fresh, Edgy Redesign

A major redesign occurred in 1995, introducing a new color palette and a more dynamic logo. The logo featured a red basketball with bold white and gray “Rockets” lettering outlined in red and blue. Above the wordmark, a stylized rocket flew to the right, adding a sense of movement and excitement. This version marked the beginning of the team's modern visual identity.

2003 – 2019: Streamlined and Sleek

In 2003, the logo was reimagined once again, focusing on the letter “R.” The vertical bars of the “R” were elongated and forked, resembling a rocket flame, and surrounded by a horizontal orbit. This updated emblem was placed between two parts of the wordmark, using a dark red color and a custom sans-serif typeface with elongated ends. This design emphasized sleekness and speed, aligning with the team's evolving identity.

2019 – Today: A Modern, Refined Design

In 2019, the Houston Rockets unveiled a more refined logo. The red “R” was placed inside a gray and black basketball, surrounded by a wide orbit. The clean, modern sans-serif font paired with the bold red “R” gives the logo a strong, sophisticated presence. The "R" with the orbit can also be used as a standalone mark, simplifying the design while maintaining its recognizable identity.

Font and Typography

The distinctive font used in the Houston Rockets logo was custom-designed to incorporate sharp angles, resembling a rocket. This unique typeface reinforces the futuristic, dynamic nature of the team and aligns with the rocket theme central to the franchise’s identity.

Colors: Red, Black, and Silver

The primary colors of the Houston Rockets logo are red (PMS 200) and white, with the red “R” typically appearing against a white background. The franchise also uses silver (PMS 877) and black (PMS Black) in its brand guidelines, allowing for different logo variations depending on the context. The red evokes energy and passion, while black adds strength and professionalism, and silver highlights a modern, sleek edge.

• Red: PMS 200, HEX: #CE1141, RGB: (206, 17, 65)
• Black: PMS Black, HEX: #000000, RGB: (6, 25, 34)
• Silver: PMS 877, HEX: #C4CED4, RGB: (196, 206, 211)