Football Shirt Gift Guide: Size, Version and Christmas Order Dates

The safest football shirt to give is the current home shirt of the team they support, in their usual T-shirt size, as a fan version with no name or number. That combination fits most people, can still be exchanged if the size is wrong, and arrives in time if you order before mid-November for Christmas.

Buying a shirt for someone else is harder than buying your own. You need the right club, the right version, the right size and the right timing, usually without giving the surprise away. This guide works through each decision in the order that matters, with the prices and delivery times we actually work to.

Which football shirt should you buy as a gift?

Start with the team, then pick the shirt. If you are not certain which club they follow, look at what they already wear, which scarf hangs by the door, or which results they check on a Saturday. A shirt for the wrong rival is the one gift that cannot be saved.

Once you know the team, the current season’s home shirt is the lowest-risk choice. It is the kit people recognise straight away, and it never looks like a second pick. Away and third shirts work well for someone who already owns the home one; our guide to home, away and third kits explains how they differ. You can browse every recent release on our new kits 2026/27 page.

For older fans, a retro shirt from a season they remember often lands better than the latest design. A 1990s classic or the shirt from a cup run they still talk about carries a story. Our list of iconic retro football kits is a good place to find one, and the full range sits in our retro football shirts category.

Fan version or player version?

Shop Retro Jersey

Retro Manchester United 1991/92 Away Jersey$ 45,99Retro S.S. Lazio 1999/00 Away Centenary Jersey$ 45,99Retro Real Madrid 2008/09 Home white Jersey$ 45,99

Most gifts should be the fan version. It has a regular cut that suits everyday wear and is forgiving on size. The player version copies the slim, athletic cut worn on the pitch, with lighter fabric and heat-applied badges. It suits someone who plays, trains or likes a close fit, but it is the easier one to get wrong. If you choose it, go one size up unless you know they wear fitted shirts. Our player version vs fan version guide covers the differences in detail.

How do you find the right size without asking?

The most reliable trick is to borrow a shirt they already wear and like the fit of. Lay it flat, measure across the chest from armpit to armpit, double the figure and compare it with our chest measurement size chart. That beats guessing from their height or build.

If you cannot get hold of a shirt, use their normal T-shirt size for a fan version. When you are torn between two sizes, choose the larger one: a slightly loose football shirt looks fine, a tight one rarely gets worn. The general football shirt size guide has the full tables, and there are separate guides for women’s shirts and long-sleeve shirts.

Children grow quickly, so size up for kids as a rule. Our kids’ sizes are numbered 16 to 28, covering roughly ages 3 to 13, and the kids’ football shirt size guide maps each number to an age and height. Kids’ kits are grouped in our kids’ football kits category.

Should you add a name and number?

A name and number make a shirt feel personal, and we print them for $2 extra. There is one catch for gifts: personalised shirts cannot be returned unless they arrive defective, so you lose the safety net if the size turns out wrong. Only add printing when you are confident about the fit. A favourite player’s name ages quickly after a transfer, so the recipient’s own name, or a number that means something to them, tends to last longer. Our guide to personalising a football shirt walks through the options.

When should you order for Christmas?

Orders are dispatched within 3 to 5 business days. Delivery then takes 10 to 20 business days to Europe, the USA and Canada, and 20 to 30 business days to the rest of the world. Counting back from Thursday 24 December 2026, that gives these latest safe order dates:

Those dates assume the slowest end of each window and ordinary working weeks. Postal services get busier in December and public holidays add days, so ordering a week or two earlier is the sensible move. Tracking is sent once the parcel leaves us.

How much does a football shirt gift cost?

Our prices are flat by type: fan version shirts are $43.99, player version shirts $51.99, retro shirts $45.99, long-sleeve shirts $49.99 and kids’ kits $39.99. Shipping is $5 for a single item and free when you order two or more, which makes it worth buying for two people at once. We are an independent retailer of replica supporter shirts, not affiliated with any club, league or manufacturer.

What if the shirt doesn’t fit?

Returns are accepted within 14 days of receiving the order. Size exchanges need to be requested within 7 days of delivery, and the shipping for the exchange is paid by the customer. Customised shirts with a name, number or patches are excluded unless defective. For a gift, that means two practical steps: keep the packaging, and tell the recipient early so they can try it on straight away. The full details are in our terms and conditions. Once the shirt has found its owner, our washing guide will keep it looking new.

Frequently asked questions

What size football shirt should I buy as a present?

Buy the recipient’s usual T-shirt size in a fan version. If you can, measure a shirt they already own across the chest and compare it with a size chart. When in doubt, choose the larger size, because a loose shirt still gets worn.

Is a player version or fan version better as a gift?

The fan version suits most people because its regular cut is forgiving on size. A player version is slimmer and lighter, so it is better for someone who plays or prefers a fitted shirt, ideally bought one size up.

Can I return a personalised football shirt?

No. Shirts customised with a name, number or patches cannot be returned unless they arrive defective, so only add printing when you are sure of the size.

When is the last day to order a football shirt for Christmas 2026?

For Europe, the UK, the USA and Canada, order by Thursday 19 November. For the rest of the world, order by Thursday 5 November. Ordering earlier leaves room for December postal delays.

Related: USA Jerseys