The Best Gifts for the Discerning Sports Fan in Your Life

Sports are one of the few things in this world that seems to bring people together. Regardless of class, creed, or otherwise, people gather to spectate, cheer, and jeer around the globe. And if there’s one thing that sports fans love nearly as much as their favorite teams, it’s memorabilia. Jerseys, balls, books, games – whatever – athletics aficionados can’t get enough of the stuff.

And that makes it a pretty safe bet to get that fanatic in your life something from this list. Because we’ve traversed the darkest reaches of the internet to curate a collection of superb holiday offerings perfect for anyone who’s ever tacked a pennant up on their wall or called out their favorite player’s name while tossing a balled-up piece of paper in the trash. Whether it’s baseball, golf, football, NASCAR, basketball, or otherwise, we’ve lined up the best gifts for the discerning sports fan in your life.

How To Shop for a Sports Fan

Know the Sport: Whether they watch or play, know about the sport they’re into before opening up your wallets. If they’re a fanatic, chances are they’ll have all the basics, so go for something a bit newer or outside the box.

Know the Team/Player: If they’re into a given sport, everyone they know will likely be well aware of their favorite teams, if not players. However, if they’re a passionate fan of, say, the NBA in general, make sure you know what teams they don’t like.

Don’t Be Generic: There’s nothing worse than having a bunch of generic printed t-shirts with your favorite team on them. If you’re a diehard, you’ll likely already own plenty of these. So when shopping for the sports fan in your life, make sure you go with unique designs or off-the-beaten-path items that maybe they didn’t already know existed.

The Ballpark Bucket List

If someone you know has dreamed about visiting all 30 Major Leage Baseball ballparks, this is the perfect gift for him. It includes detailed information about every site and prompts you with different ideas to log your experience, from stats about the game itself to scoring the ballpark’s music. There’s even information on all the Spring Training parks, as well as notable locales like the Field of Dreams park.

The World’s Greatest Golf Courses From Above by Alex Narey

Not every golfer will be fortunate enough to experience playing on the most iconic courses in the world. However, this beautiful coffee table book from Alex Narey provides a birdseye view of 34 of the most desirable, included with illustrations, history, and information about each one.

StubHub Gift Cards

Memorabilia aside, the ultimate gift for any sports fan is a ticket to see their favorite team. Take the guesswork out of gift giving and let them pick the time and place with these gift cards from StubHub. Even if you can’t afford to get them the full value of the ticket, one of these cards goes a long way toward getting them to that game.

Topps Project70 Cards

In case you weren’t aware, sports cards are reaching an all-time high in popularity in recent years and have become a solid investment. For the 70th anniversary of its first-ever baseball card set, Topps enlisted 51 artists to each create 20 uniquely designed cards featuring players of their choosing. Together, they are the Project70 set.

Homesick Dodger Stadium Candle

Candles are having a moment right now thanks to boutique brands crafting unique, outside-the-box scents, such as this Dodget Stadium Candle. Made from a natural soy wax blend, the candle is intended to evoke memories of the park itself, with notes of popcorn, beer, peanuts, and fresh grass — we’re not joking.

QGC 5-Panel Forest Hat

Fortunately for any golf fans, there’s been no shortage of boutique brands attempting to bring heritage and style back into the sport. Quiet Golf Club is one of the names putting a spin on golf-themed clothing, such as with this five-panel snap-back branded hat made from 100% cotton.

Madden 24

The Madden series is a collection of the greatest football video games of all time – but they might also be the greatest sports games period. This newest installment features the best graphics, features, and gameplay to date. And it’s a must have for any gamer who also loves the NFL.

Shinola Leather Baseball

For a brand most well-known for their amazing watches, Shinola sure does make a number of killer non-watch items. Take this baseball, for example. Hand cut and sewn in New Jersey and constructed of premium leather and waxed linen thread, these gorgeous balls are perhaps not one you might swing a bat at, but they’ll look great on any shelf.

Fielder’s Choice Card Case

Made from actual recycled baseball glove leather – meaning it was used by actual baseball players – these handsome card cases from Fielder’s Choice are a subtle and rustic way for a fan to pay tribute to the America’s Pastime. And, if you really want to go all out, they also sell leather conditioner and keychains.

The New York Times Archives Of Your Baseball Team

Ever wish you had every newspaper from every major feat accomplished by your favorite team? Taken straight from the archives of the New York Times, you can compile 80 pages worth of history into one commermorative book for the diehard in your life. Books can also be personalized.

Jordan Brand Golf Pants

Helping popularize the sport of golf for non-golf athletes during the ‘90s, Michael Jordan now has his own golf range as part of his Jordan Brand lineup. These Golf Pants are not only stylish but incredibly lightweight and flexible for all day on the links. Equipped with angled cargo pockets for easier access, they’re also classy enough to fit in at the clubhouse afterwards. 

Recess Pickleball Paddle

Pickleball has been all the rage in recent years, with some seriously impressive brands making a name for themselves in that time. For one, Recess has been a force with their uniquely designed paddles, such as the one above, made from a durable fiberglass surface and a honeycomb polypropylene core.

Mitchell & Ness NFL Legacy Jerseys

Mitchell & Ness has been the benchmark in sports jerseys for a couple of decades now, and its Legacy line brings fans brand-new jerseys of iconic players of the past in the highest quality you can find. In fact, that heritage is what the brand was built upon even before it was a household name. 

Stadium Seat Cufflinks

If you know a baseball fan who frequently finds themselves at formal occasions, these cufflinks are an incredibly cool and unusual gift idea. Each set features an inlay from the retired seats of some of the most famous stadiums of all time. And they’re a great way to support your favorite team, without wearing a gaudy tie.

NASCAR Experience

One thing that racing fans want more than anything else is to get to experience the speed of the track. With the NASCAR Racing Experience, your favorite racing fan can do just that. Offering everything from ride-alongs to full-blown track driving, this is the ultimate gift for anyone who wants to go fast.

Parkit Voyager Chair

With attractive colorway options and a built-in cupholder, this Voyager Chair from Parkit is a fantastic tailgating essential. Underneath the seat is a built-in cooler to hold your cans, while folded up, the seat can be carried around like a backpack thanks to the included straps.

Pillbox Bat Co. Baseball Bats

Made as a tribute to one of the greatest sports of all time, these bats are some of the most beautifully designed display sporting items we have ever stumbled upon. Crafted in the USA and hand-painted in Winona, Minnesota, each gorgeous bat is an unmistakable work of art. And, while we wouldn’t suggest doing so, their sturdy enough to function like a real bat.

Nike Tiger Woods ‘13 Golf Shoes

Earlier this year, Nike and Tiger Woods celebrated the 10th anniversary of the latter’s most iconic golf shoes with his first “retro” reissue. Debuting in 2013, these sneakers were made with input from Tiger himself in order to maximize his comfort on the course in a similar way to his off-course training shoes.

Reigning Champ West 4th Mini Hoop

Bringing a new definition to the indoor hoop, Reigning Champ elevated their product even more with this all-black West 4th Mini Hoop. Made from 16-gauge steel, the limited edition basket also features a spring-loaded rim like a standar hoop, a custom-perforated backboard, and an embossed leater mini basketball.