football is not just a sport, it is a cultural phenomenon that connects millions of people around the world. The history of football is not only reflected in the stories of legendary players and epic matches, but also in the evolution of its clothing. Vintage football shirts, in particular, have a unique appeal. These vintage football shirts transcend their own function and become symbols of nostalgia, unique style and passion for the game. For sports fans and collectors, they represent not only a link between the present and the past, but also the legacy of football.
The vintage jersey market has seen rapid growth in recent years. Driven by the vintage fashion trend, these jerseys have become a hot commodity. For wholesalers, this growing demand has provided new business opportunities to invest in launching a range of products that meet the needs of football fans, collectors and retailers. This article takes an in-depth look at the appeal of vintage football jerseys, explores the dynamics of the wholesale market, and offers personal opinions on how to create the ultimate collection for sports fans.
Historic value
The historical value of vintage football jerseys is one of the major points that attracts people to buy them.Since the birth of the football team to the growth of the football team, the memories of each classic game, the glorious moments of each legendary player, or the important milestones of a team will make vintage football jerseys carry traces of the history belonging to football.Many football fans choose to go for fan versions of jerseys of their favorite football stars as well as their favorite football teams（which is where vintage football jerseys come from）This makes vintage football jerseys very collectible!For example, The blue and white striped jersey of the 1986 Argentina team became a household name and a hot seller because of Maradona's “Hand of God”and “Goal of the Century”
In addition, the phenomenon from the design of jerseys to the inclusion of sponsors reflects the socio-cultural and commercial influences on football in different periods of time. For example, in the 1980s, sponsors' logos gradually became a central part of shirt design, marking the beginning of the commercialization of football. Some classic designs became symbols of national identity.
Cultural and Emotional Connection
Apart from the historical value mentioned above, cultural and emotional connection is also part of the charm of retro football shirts. For the fans, the retro football shirt is a symbol that can highlight the fans' love for the team and the sense of identity for the team, the retro football shirt is not only a piece of clothing, it is a declaration: you belong to a certain group, and share the same passion with your idol and like-minded friends.
Retro football shirts are also a way to pass on culture. For many fans, retro football jerseys evoke strong emotions and memories, learn about legendary teams and classic moments of the past through these jerseys, and even establish a common topic and emotional bond with elders. The clothing serves as a bridge between generations, reviving childhood memories of watching a game with the family or playing football in the neighborhood.
The cultural significance of retro football shirts has long gone beyond the field of sports, into the mainstream fashion circle, many designers, brands and even stars will use it as a fashion item, street shooting, daily wear and so on, with the continuous deepening of promotion, making it a global cultural phenomenon.
Investment Potential
In recent years, the rise of the retro trend and the expansion of the global influence of football have led to the growth of the demand for retro football shirts. Whether dedicated fans, fashionistas or collectors, the demand for such items continues to grow, providing ample market space for investors.
Vintage football shirt categories
The first category is collectibles, most of the collection is the original jersey, mostly the game jersey worn by the players, such products are more expensive, have collection value, and the number is small, there are restrictions, not easy to obtain.
The second category is Off-the-shelf product(Affordable replicas), which is a replica made by some famous sports brands for mass fans. The price is relatively close to the people, and it has certain collection significance, which can not only enhance the sense of belonging of fans, but also create additional income for the brand.
The third category is customized products. With the popularity of retro fashion, many independent designers will incorporate street elements to make retro football shirts more diversified. Customized products can also provide personalized services for niche clubs, schools, companies, etc., to customize their own retro football shirts.
The emergence of the second and third categories of products to meet different consumer groups, bring new opportunities for the brand, and at the same time make the retro football jersey products more diversified, but also play a certain significance to the cultural heritage.
Market size
According to an article published on CBNDATA. Data from global market research firm Technavio showcases the global football apparel market reached $9.6 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow to $12 billion by 2025. Among them, jerseys with players' names and numbers are the biggest driver pulling the market.Another report reflects the projected growth rate of the football market through 2030.The global football apparel market is projected to grow from $10.4 billion in 2023 to $13.6 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 3.8%, according to a report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Although the data covers the entire football apparel market, retro football shirts, as a segment thereof, is benefiting from the expansion of the overall market.
Here are some market data analysis:
|
Years |
Global Sales (Millions of US dollars) |
Annual Growth rate (%) |
|
2019 |
800 |
- |
|
2020 |
900 |
12.5 |
|
2021 |
1050 |
16.7 |
|
2022 |
1300 |
23.8 |
|
2023 |
1600 |
23.1 |
The following is the market share of different regions:
|
Year |
Region |
Percentage of global sales (%) |
|
2019 |
America |
31.25 |
|
2019 |
Europe |
37.5 |
|
2019 |
Japan |
15 |
|
2019 |
China |
16.25 |
|
2023 |
America |
28.75 |
|
2023 |
Europe |
35.62 |
|
2023 |
Japan |
15.62 |
|
2023 |
China |
20 |
Mainstream sales channels
Sales channels we can categorize as online as well as offline channels, online channels are Amazon, eBay, Alibaba, and so on.Some sellers use Facebook, Instagram for product promotion. Offline channels include sporting goods stores, vintage stores, tournament themed stores.The retro football shirt customization market is currently in a growth phase, with both online and offline channels driving the development of the market.
Building Supplier Networks
If you are a retailer or a club or a personal interest in customizing vintage football uniforms with your own logo, or if you are a brand owner who wants to mass-produce clothes, finding a good supplier is especially important, and establishing a reliable supplier network is the key to success in the market.Maintaining good relationships with suppliers ensures you have a steady flow of inventory to meet market demand.
Choosing good suppliers can also be a key to success. With the increasing demand for customized products in the market, many companies are facing the challenge of cost control and quality assurance while meeting customer needs. At present, Healong company with many years of industry experience, has high-quality quality assurance and competitive price advantage to become a stable supplier of the brand.
Healong Sportswear is a leading enterprise specializing in custom sportswear and streetwear. Established in 2009, Healong boasts 16 years of expertise in customization, offering full gear solutions for teams and clubs. Our product range includes caps, basketball jerseys, soccer jerseys, baseball uniforms, AFL apparel, cheer-leading uniforms, hoodies, various styles of sportswear, and accessories such as socks, backpacks, and towels.
Currently, Healong operates with 800 employees across a 20,000-square-meter facility, along with a U.S. office and a Vietnam factory. These strategic expansions aim to better serve our clients and meet diverse customer needs.
Regarding our team, Healong is proud to have 4 professional international sales teams and 2 customer service teams, 2 customer service teams both of which are dedicated to VIP client orders. Our customer service team responds within 5 minutes to ensure timely support. Additionally, we have 7 skilled graphic designers who provide free design mockups before production. With a 12-day production lead time and a daily output of 15,000 pieces, we deliver efficiency and quality. Healong is also an authorized supplier for global brands like New Balance, MLB, BSN, Kappa, and Speedo.
Here is an example of our custom retro football jerseys. Healong offers fully customizable options, from logo craftsmanship and fabric selection to size requirements, with a low MOQ of just 10 pieces. Sample orders are also available!
At Healong, we pride ourselves on exceptional service and guaranteed quality. We’re here to help you seize market opportunities and create endless possibilities for your customers. Trust Healong, choose Healong!
Contact Healong today and start crafting the perfect retro football uniforms for your team!
Conclusion
Vintage football jerseys have a unique appeal to sports enthusiasts, blending not only history but also culture and fashion. For brand owners, selling their brand requires utilizing effective marketing strategies, finding the right suppliers, promoting their brand and attracting more customers to place orders. For fans they are more concerned about the collectability of the jerseys. In any case vintage football shirts are making up an increasing share of the market, seizing the opportunity to create more value.
In a world increasingly driven by fast fashion and fleeting trends, vintage football shirts are timeless artifacts. They are a reminder of the enduring power of sport to unite people and preserve memories, making them a valuable addition to any sports fan's collection.
