Game day hair tutorial: purple braids and ponytails for Ravens fans

For Baltimore Ravens supporters scattered across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide, game day starts well before kickoff. The purple and black colours of the squad have become a Sunday ritual for Australians who love gridiron, and the look has to hold up through hours of cheering, snacking, and replays on a delayed broadcast. A great hairstyle is part of that ritual, and braids plus ponytails are the most forgiving, photogenic options for a long afternoon on the couch or at a mate's place.

Australian fans tend to follow Ravens matchups in the small hours of the morning or late on a Monday depending on the time difference between Melbourne and Baltimore. That irregular timing means the hair you choose has to be quick to recreate, comfortable enough to wear through multiple screens of action, and bold enough to read clearly on video calls or in tailgate photos. The right plait or pony can carry you from pre-game coffee to the final whistle without needing a mirror.

Colour is the star of any Ravens-inspired look. Whether you go all-in with a deep plum tone or simply weave in a few strands, the palette works beautifully with brown, blonde, and red hair. Team stores stock ribbon, scrunchies, and clips that read instantly on camera, and most of the techniques below use nothing more than elastics, a few bobby pins, and one trusty comb.

If you are new to the community, the About Us page shares a heap of fan-led content that goes far beyond hair. It covers everything from tailgate recipes to merchandise guides, and is a brilliant jumping-off point for styling inspiration during the season.

Prep your hair for a long match

Wash the night before rather than the morning of, so your strands have grip and a little natural texture. A light spritz of dry shampoo at the roots helps ponytails stay put and gives braids something to cling to. Skip heavy serums on game day, because they can make lengths slippery and let plaits unravel before halftime.

Australian weather plays its own part. Summer games in January hit Baltimore hard, but for fans in Perth watching a late-night broadcast, a warm flat or pub can leave hair limp and frizz-prone. A small travel-sized anti-humidity spray kept in your bag works wonders, and a quick blast of cool air helps before the opening drive.

If you are dyeing or tinting strands purple, do a strand test a week ahead. Semi-permanent shades from local chemists work well on bleached hair and fade gently over a few washes, which means you can switch up the colour between matchups without committing. Pair the colour with a heat protectant if you plan to use a waver or straightener on the loose sections.

A classic high purple ponytail

The high ponytail is the MVP of any fan's styling playbook. Gather hair at the crown, smooth the sides with a brush, and secure with a thick elastic wrapped in team ribbon. A thin strand wrapped around the base hides the elastic and gives the style a polished finish that reads as intentional rather than rushed.

For thicker hair, tease the crown lightly before pulling the ponytail up. This adds height and makes the purple ribbon more visible from the stands, the couch, or a fan-zone TV. A light mist of hairspray locks everything in, and a few decorative pins tucked behind one ear add a subtle nod to the helmet design without overdoing it.

If you are heading to a friend's place for a watch party, this is the quickest option. It takes under five minutes, survives hours of jumping up for big plays, and looks equally good with a jersey or a casual tee.

A double Dutch braid crown

Dutch braids, which sit on top of the hair rather than weaving under, give a sporty raised texture that frames the face. Divide hair down the middle, braid each side tightly from the hairline to the nape, and pin the ends together at the back for a crown effect. A purple thread woven through each braid during the process turns the style into a clear team statement.

Australians with longer layers can mimic the look by adding clip-in extensions in matching tones. Beauty supply stores in Melbourne and Sydney stock purple clip-ins that blend easily with natural brunette or blonde shades. The added length makes the braid pattern more visible and gives the crown a fuller finish.

Braid tightly enough to stay secure but loose enough at the temples to avoid a headache by the third quarter. A few face-framing pieces left out softens the look, and a spritz of shine spray across the braids catches the lights in fan videos and selfies.

Half-up ponytail with ribbon

For fans who like a softer approach, a half-up ponytail blends the polish of a pulled-back style with the relaxed feel of loose lengths. Take the top section from temple to temple, secure at the back of the crown, and finish with a ribbon tied into a bow in purple and black. The lower half stays down, which keeps the style cooler for those warm Brisbane afternoons on the lounge.

This look works particularly well with wavy or curly hair. The contrast between the smooth pulled-back top and the textured lengths adds visual interest and frames team earrings nicely. It also holds up through overtime because the upper section carries the weight while the loose lengths move naturally with every celebration.

A fishtail with team colours

The fishtail looks intricate but is one of the easiest braids to master. Split hair into two sections, take a small piece from the outer edge of one side, cross it over to the other, and repeat. Weaving a thin purple ribbon through the plait as you go creates a striking stripe effect that photographs beautifully under any lighting.

For Australian fans tuning in from a coastal suburb, this style pairs nicely with breezy game day outfits. The fishtail feels slightly beachy and works well with a jersey knotted at the waist and denim shorts, ideal for an outdoor screening at a local pub or a friend's verandah.

Quick game day options

Sometimes matchups fall during early-morning windows and there is simply no time for a full braid. A low ponytail with a centre part and a black scrunchie is the fastest backup. A simple looped bun secured with a purple claw clip is another easy option that reads as styled rather than thrown together.

Even a single plait down the back, dressed up with a ribbon tied at the base, can carry the team colours. These minimalist styles save time and let your jersey and accessories do the heavy lifting on a sleepy Sunday morning.

Accessorising and finishing touches

The right accessories pull the entire look together. Ravens headbands, themed scrunchies, and small flag-inspired pins can be sourced through the team merchandise guide, which highlights pieces that work as well in a stadium as they do at a Sydney watch party. Mix metals with team colours and keep the palette tight so the hair remains the centrepiece.

Storage matters too. A silk scarf wrapped around a finished braid overnight helps preserve the pattern, and a travel hairbrush in your bag lets you refresh the look between events. If you are travelling between cities for a watch party, a satin pillowcase at your hotel will keep plaits intact from Friday night through Monday's game.

Game day hair checklist

For more inspiration and to share ideas with fellow supporters, head over to the tailgate hub where recipes, styling threads, and fan meet-ups live side by side. Many Australian supporters also use wider NFL stats and streaming resources to compare notes on the season, track player stats, and find watch parties in their own city.

Pull up a stool, grab your plait, and get ready for kickoff. The Ravens are counting on their Australian flock to bring the noise from across the Pacific, so make sure your hair is doing the team proud long before the opening whistle. Purple braids and ponytails are a wearable celebration of every fan who refuses to miss a single snap this season.