Print-on-demand drops

Viral social merch

Football culture in the UK

Buyer behavior across fan communities.

VAR Drama Mug - It’s fair to say football fans are not the biggest lovers of VAR. This type of relatable content will resonate with customers who are on the lookout for a perfect football gift.

Fan Channel Quote Shirts - Fan channels have exploded over the last 10 years across YouTube and short-form social media platforms, they have become part of the game itself. A t-shirt with a famous quote from a fan channel is a clever way to tap into the vast viewer-base of these channels.

Year of Glory Tees - Remind fans of the good times, their special year, their defining moment. These kinds of products bring back great memories and remind them of the good times.

Bootleg VHS Posters - Old-school game ads like film posters. This demographic come from an age of gaming and football. A blend of the two brings this type of consumer back to their childhood.

Player-Made Merch - Let players design and sell their gear. POD platforms are a great way to bring a customisation aspect to your portfolio and let your customers express themselves.

Match Result Mugs - Feature final scores and scorers. Something to celebrate the key moments, be it a cup final victory or a win over your team’s bitter rivals. Match result mugs act as a way to immortalise special moments and create a perfect product.

Football meme royalty - In the digital age, consumers see memes every single day (some better than others). Portraying an iconic meme on a t-shirt is a great way to turn heads - they’re not for everyone, but some people just love the idea of a Cold Tuesday Night in Stoke.

Chant Typography Prints - Come Saturday 3PM (or more recently 12.45), fans forget everything when they’re stood on terraces with their friends and families belting out their favourite club chants. Visualising these chants on a creative print can serve as a reminder to fans of sharing good times with their closest.

Podcast Merch Drops - Already got a following? If your content has had some viral moments, it’s a great opportunity to visualise them and create some merch for your fans. You’ve got the audience - now’s the time to give something back and create some merch for your most loyal supporters.

Custom Kits - The football kit market is huge - from the latest official kits from your favourite teams, classic football shirts, all the way to custom kits from creators. Design a kit based on your show/channel and allow your audience to add to their collection!

Use print-on-demand platforms like Printful or Gelato

Start with 1-2 high-quality products per idea

Pair each product with short-form content (TikTok, Reels, X)

Use tools like Canva for visuals

Promote through your blog, newsletter, or community first — not ads

Merch trends & best practices

Football creator economy breakdowns

Tactical guides for turning ideas into income

Real case studies from clubs and fans building brands