This post is all about finding the best gifts for soccer lovers!
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Do you have someone in your life who is a soccer lover? Yes? Same, same. When my son fell head-over-heels in love with soccer a few years ago, we all turned into soccer lovers. Since then, we go to many soccer games, watch many soccer games, and play many soccer games. It’s quite a joy to watch him grow as a player, and for us as a family to make our own memories and relationships with other soccer families. Because I’m constantly on the lookout for great, creative gifts for those in our soccer world, I thought I would share some great gifts for soccer lovers so you don’t have to do all the digging.
These ideas for gifts for soccer lovers are organized by type of gift for easy browsing. Enjoy!
While “soccer equipment” isn’t exactly the most novel idea for a gift, I think it’s really helpful to know the many options that exist for training, and therefore, gifting. When I first became a soccer mom, I really didn’t know anything about soccer, and several years in, I’m still learning as my son gets older and progresses in his skill level.
Here are some great basics and also fun equipment pieces:
Pinnies (used these a ton when playing pickup soccer and also just for fun when my son wanted to take things seriously in the backyard)
Goals for the backyard (this set is great because it comes with other items like cones, but also with the scoring guide to help a player build accuracy with their shot)
Soccer ladder — my son uses this for his own agility training and to also train his little sister 😂
Custom Water Bottle
This was one of the first soccer gifts we gave my son, customized with his name & number. Honestly, it was great for the both of us since we are constantly using water bottles, and it has helped us to tell his Gatorade water bottle apart from everyone else’s!
Custom Soccer Ball
This is on my list to design for my son. It’s a custom soccer ball that can feature their name, number, etc., and a bunch of featured shots! I think he will lose his mind when he unwraps this.
Glow in the Dark Soccer Ball
Have you seen this? One of the soccer players brought this to practice one night since the kids like to play late into the night, and it starts to get darker earlier during the season. The glow in the dark soccer ball solved that issue! It was so fun to see the kids draw out of the last bits of summer as they ran up and down the field.
In The House Soccer Ball
The indoor soccer ball is genius! We were at our friend’s house one winter day and all the kids were able to play soccer in their refinished basement, with goal nets and all, because of this ball! It’s softer than a soccer ball, but still has impact. Perfect for those cold or rainy days when kids still want to play.
Dribble Up Soccer Ball
This is a fun gift for a dedicated soccer player who wants to improve their skills. It’s a smart ball that allows you to track your progress with various skills. Just so you’re aware, the ball itself really needs a corresponding app to make it useful, which you do have to pay a monthly subscription for. So, this is for a serious soccer player.
Gifts for Soccer Lovers: Merch & Goodies
Tickets to a Soccer Game
This is a go-to in our house. I swear way more of our budget goes to professional soccer games than it should! If MLS or the other big wig teams aren’t an option, consider treating to a college soccer match. You could buy merch from the college store, pack a bunch of treats, and make a day out of it!
Coaching Sessions
Coaching sessions can be expensive, so this could make a great gift. When I was looking for every possible avenue to fulfill my son’s soccer obsession during the soccer off-season, I paid a neighborhood kid who is really good at soccer to train my son. My husband and I also figured out how to get in touch with our local college and we also got a soccer player to train him! This was so great. My son was in awe and it developed into an awesome relationship for him. Maybe one of these would be a good option for you as well.
Replica Game Ball
There are many replica game balls that exist. I didn’t know this initially, but my husband and son caught on to this right away. If your soccer fan has a particular World Cup or Copa that they loved, a replica ball is an awesome display piece for their collection (or to start one!).
My son received this cute game as a gift from Santa. It has really come in handy during car rides and on trips. It keeps his attention and others can play as well.
Stadium Map
You may already know that this custom stadium map was a gift received by my son this past Christmas. We’ve had a great time talking about the stadiums we’ve been to and those we want to visit. I never thought of stadiums as a place to check off a list, so this has helped me appreciate these ventures even more!
Merch from Favorite Team
There are so many cool ways to represent a favorite team now: pennants, flags, jerseys, sneakers, cups, balls, pins, scarfs, hats, stuffed animals, pencils, magnets, lights, etc. Visit the website of your gift recipient’s favorite team and you will find a multitude of goodies to choose from!
We have approximately one kajillion soccer replica trophies and medals. They are adorable and utilized often when my son and his friends (or family!) are playing a soccer match.
A few years ago my son designed a flag for a neighborhood team that he and his friends created. It was the sweetest thing. He designed it in Canva and then I printed it out on hard stock paper. I then had a custom pennant designed for his room with the team name when I re-designed it. I was so excited to “unveil” it for him. These are both great gifts for a soccer kiddo or fan! The store who created our pennant is no longer available, but here’s a similar option and a custom flag designing option.
Framed Photos
For my son’s soccer themed bedroom, I made a frame and printed out a special memory from his team’s tournament weekend. It brings us such happy memories — the team is eating ice cream and acting as a silly as can be. Somehow after two days of soccer, these kids were still running around the ice store, playing soccer outside, and just generally goofing off. It warms me up every time I look at the photo.
Here are some beautiful burl frames, as well as gold frames with an antique look, that would be stunning in a space that you, or the receiver of the gift, may want to keep sophisticated. Frame a special soccer memory from a trip, a game, or camp.
Gifts for Soccer Lovers: Clothes & Accessories
Dainty Soccer Ball Bracelet
I love this bracelet so much! I gave them as gifts to my soccer mom friends at the end of last season. These would be great for just that, or for a younger athlete who enjoys delicate jewelry.
Soccer Ball Earrings
A soccer ball earring is such a sweet gift! Such an easy and stylish way to show team spirit, or support from the sidelines!
There are so many fun custom sweatshirt options. I have this fun soccer mom sweatshirt that I use often during the season. Here is a cute “Game Day” sweatshirt that would be a great option for a soccer player, soccer partner, or soccer spectator!
Soccer Jersey
This one may seem obvious, but there are fun ways to play around with this. You could customize a jersey, or buy a favorite jersey as a gift. You can purchase one from the team’s website or Etsy, custom options are available on Etsy & Amazon. You could even make your own with a custom logo and iron on numbers and letters — I did this buy buying a youth size t-shirt from our local college and ironed on my son’s name & number.
Wrapping a Soccer Lover’s Gift
If you have a little extra time and energy, it’s fun to go the extra mile with wrapping. I always enjoy getting creative with wrapping presents when I think ahead to buy a few items in advance. My mom has always been an amazing gift giver and wrapper, which made us feel so special growing up. I like to do this for my kids or the people in my life when I’m able.
This Christmas I wrapped my son’s tickets to a Messi game in a lovely gift box, filled with green crinkle paper to mimic the soccer field, with little toy soccer balls floating around (which we reused for his birthday table and as extra balls in the foosball game). I hope it added to the experience for him!
Whether you’re shopping for a dedicated player, enthusiastic fan, or proud soccer parent, these gifts for soccer lovers offer something special for everyone in the soccer community! I like to think about it this way — the very best gifts for soccer lovers are those that show that we understand and support our soccer lover’s dedication to the “beautiful game”. I hope that with these thoughtful options, you’re sure to score big (ha!) with the ideal gift!
And, as always, please share any great finds that you love to gift the soccer-obsessed in your life!
