Last year, we shared gift ideas for the sports fan who has everything. This year, we’re back with some new items to consider in a variety of categories. We also have another guest recommender from The Athletic’s newsroom: senior college sports writer and expert gift giver Lindsay Schnell. We hope this list makes your holiday shopping a little less stressful!
— Brooks Peck and David Betancourt, The Athletic’s memorabilia and collectibles editors
Books
Air Jordan Ultimate Edition (left) and Classic Edition (right). Photo courtesy of Assouline
“Air Jordan: 40 years of style and legacy”
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Jordan Brand, and the sneaker line that changed the game, Assouline has published a gorgeous book featuring exclusive images and fresh interviews and insights. Written by Adam Bradley, writer at large for the New York Times’ T Magazine, and with a foreword by Jordan himself, this is perfect for anyone who has a closet full of Air Jordans (or wishes they did). The book comes in two versions: Classic Edition and Ultimate Edition, the latter of which is limited to just 1,000 copies and has sold out, but may still be found on eBay.
The Soccer 100. Photo: The Athletic
We’re all impatiently waiting for the 2026 World Cup to arrive, and what better way to pass the time than by reading up on the greatest men’s players in the history of the game? The Athletic’s unmatched staff of experts has put together the ultimate ranking of the top 100 players (including 43 World Cup winners) with deeply reported profiles of each player, which is a must-have for any soccer fan. For a taste, you can read Oliver Kay’s full introduction to the book here.
Other sports books from The Athletic: “The Football 100” by Mike Sando, Dan Pompei and The NFL Staff, “The Basketball 100” by David Aldridge, John Hollinger and The NBA staff.
Hats
A few of the throwback hats from the Hardwood Classics collection. Photo: of New Era
New Era’s Hardwood Classics NBA hats
New Era’s retro style and nostalgia-infused Hardwood Classics collection is the perfect gift for that person in your life that is just a little too excited that the NBA is back on NBC. While these aren’t officially the hats to wear when jamming to John Tesh’s “Roundball Rock” after a Bob Costas or Marv Albert narrative intro, they should be. There are 33 team options (the Boston Celtics and Washington Bullets/Wizards have multiple offerings) and they’re available in New Era’s signature 59FIFTY fitted, 9FIFTY snapback, 9SEVENTY trucker and 9TWENTY adjustable, depending on the team. In a collection where every hat looks great, the standouts include the Grant Hill teal (not the name of the color, but it should be) Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves, Seattle Supersonics and the black Iverson-esque Philadelphia 76ers. There’s also a throwback apparel collection to go along with the hats.
Other great hats: Jackie Robinson Day Commemorative Wool Ballcap by Ebbets Field; WNBA Hitch hats by ’47 Brand; Wisconsin Frozen Pizzas (an identity adopted by the Milwaukee Brewers Single-A affiliate because Wisconsin consumes the most frozen pizza in the world) by New Era.
Apparel
The dark side (left) and light side hoodie options for the Dallas Cowboys. Photos: Homage
Homage’s Star Wars NFL Collection
Star Wars and NFL teams might seem like a strange combo (OK, it definitely is), but the way Homage put this collection together makes it work. Each team has a custom light side and dark side design, giving fans a choice in how they want to rep their team and preferred side of the Force. Each design is hand-drawn, giving it that retro feel of the original Star Wars trilogy and is available in T-shirt or hoodie form with both youth and adult sizes, allowing you to do some fun mixing and matching, even within your family.
One of the WNBAPA shirt options from BreakingT.
Back in July, the WNBA All-Stars wore T-shirts reading “Pay us what you owe us” made by BreakingT, a company that turns viral sports moments and figures into wearable form, licensed by a variety of players’ associations. With the WNBA CBA dispute still ongoing, that shirt and other variations of that concept remain among the company’s top sellers.
Other awesome apparel: Santurce Cangrejeros mesh v-neck jersey by Ebbets Field; WNBA x WNBPA collection by Round21; Teemu Selanne Anaheim Ducks 1995-96 teal alternate power play jersey by Mitchell & Ness (this might be the most ’90s garment in existence).
Oracle Park and Yankee Stadium pint glasses. Photo: Uncommon Goods
Maybe you can’t take someone out to a ballgame in the dead of winter, but you can pour them a frosty cold beverage in these glasses and make plans for the upcoming season. Each set of these glasses features a map of an iconic MLB stadium in the team’s two main colors, and they’re good looking enough to be displayed on a bar cart year-round. To ensure everyone can join in the fun, add this card-based sports drinking game.
The ultimate stocking stuffer, this is the tool the adult athlete in your life needs. No matter if someone is a runner, weightlifter or the star of their slow-pitch softball team, a TENS machine will change their life if they have sore muscles or nagging injuries — I promise. Best of all, it’s small, which means it can easily fit into someone’s purse, backpack or carry-on suitcase. Plan ahead and order some replacement pads, too.
Sports art by Mallory Tolcher and Abriella Sammy
How does one find chic sports art? Look north of the 49th parallel toward Toronto, where two women artists and their work provide the answer. Mallory Tolcher “reimagines the symbols of sport as timeless luxury,” while Abriella Sammy’s expertise with epoxy resin creates some of the most beautiful basketball courts you’ve ever seen. Tolcher’s most recent collection is an exploration of the NBA’s evolving dress code rules, while Sammy’s partnered with everyone from Canada Basketball to the NBA to create one-of-a-kind pieces. You can buy prints and sculptures directly from Tolcher, and you can wear or display Sammy’s work.
Odds are, you know someone who’s a Caitlin Clark fanatic. And no matter that person’s age, they’re sure to enjoy this coloring book with illustrations that look strikingly similar to the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year. Clark has helped lift not just women’s basketball, but all of women’s sports, into the spotlight it’s long deserved. What better way to celebrate that than by papering your fridge with pictures of one of America’s most popular athletes?
Trading cards
Sports cards remain a highly sought-after collectible and make an easy and fun gift for kids, nostalgic adults or hardcore collectors. They’re also usually available at a variety of price points. Here are some accessible picks for each sport:
NBA: 2025-26 Topps Basketball — Topps’ return to licensed NBA cards after 15 years of Panini exclusivity. Set includes lots of fun insert designs, Cooper Flagg rookie cards and autographs from the likes of Victor Wembanyama and LeBron James.
WNBA: 2025 Donruss WNBA — Includes Paige Bueckers’ rookie cards and the supremely popular Downtown inserts can be found in some hobby boxes.
MLB: 2025 Topps Chrome Baseball — This set includes the rare gold Logoman patch cards and as an added bit of value, cards of MVPs Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge can be traded in at hobby shops across the country for store credit.
NFL: 2025 Panini Mosaic Football — These are eye-catching cards with fun parallels and inserts (like the Stained Glass and Kaleidoscopics) to chase.
Premier League: Topps Premier League 2026 — Topps’ first set since getting the license includes vibrant designs and autographs from some of the Premier League’s best — past and present.
NWSL: 2025 Parkside NWSL Collection Vol. 1 or 2025 Club and Country (for the USWNT fan) — The Club and Country set is especially cool since it shows players in both their NWSL and USWNT kits. Additionally, both sets include autographs to chase.
NHL: 2025-26 Upper Deck Hockey Series 1 — Find the coveted Young Guns rookie cards of the latest draft class, as well as the stunning photography of the UD Canvas inserts.
PWHL: 2024-25 Upper Deck PWHL — Includes the PWHL Young Guns and inserts like UD Portraits.
Formula 1: 2024 Topps Chrome Formula 1 — From the photography to the card designs, this is an attractive set and a fun rip while we wait for the 2025 edition to release.
Tennis: 2024 Topps Chrome Tennis — This set includes both men’s and women’s players, and the Aces inserts are sure to appeal to any fan.
More sports art
A minimalist piece to commemorate the LA Dodgers’ second consecutive World Series title. Image: S. Preston
S. Preston combines sports and art in some really fun and unique ways. His minimalist works highlight defining and beloved elements of different ballparks, stadiums, mascots and more. Then his MLB/NHL x Looney Tunes and Sesame Street series mash-up of beloved teams and characters. His pieces look great anywhere from a kids’ room to an office.
Trey Yesavage painted with a baseball as a brush. Image: Samantha Woj
Samantha Woj art
A Canadian artist who paints athletes using the equipment of their sport as a brush, Samantha Woj creates beautiful and unique works for a variety of sports. Her take on a shirtless Jason Kelce, famously celebrating in the stands at a Kansas City Chiefs versus Buffalo Bills game using the nose of a football, is definitely a standout.
Two picks for the road
Yeti’s NBA team customization options. Photo: Yeti
Yeti has compiled licenses for the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, MLS, Red Bull Racing and over 100 colleges, allowing them to put sleek-looking logos on a variety of gift-worthy products ranging from coolers to water bottles and flasks. Wirecutter recommends Yeti’s 20 oz. Rambler Tumbler with MagSlider Lid and the Colster Can Cooler, both of which are available for team customization.
The Tiny Tailgater Set. Photo courtesy of Fischer-Price
Fisher-Price Mini Me Moments Tiny Tailgater Set
Finally, a way to develop an infant’s motor skills while also prepping them for the tailgate life. This set includes a roller hot dog, a plushie football, a crinkle cooler, a teether chip, a wearable crinkle “foam” finger and a goal post spinny mirror. It’s as much a gift for football-loving parents as it is for the baby.
Wirecutter picks
Our friends at Wirecutter have tested and recommended what they’ve found to be the best sports-related gear available. Check out their reviews for a plethora of gift ideas:
The best health and fitness equipment
The best running gear
The best workout earbuds and headphones
The best fitness trackers
eBay insights
Knowing which athletes have been the most popular among collectors this year can help guide your gifting. Here are eBay’s most searched athletes in some of the top leagues (data from January-September 2025):
In the NBA, a few legends remain just as popular as ever: Michael Jordan, Wembanyama, Kobe Bryant, James and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
It’s a similar story in the NHL: Wayne Gretzky, Connor Bedard, Sidney Crosby, Patrick Roy and Mario Lemieux.
In the NFL, it’s all about the young quarterbacks: Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy, Caleb Williams, Bo Nix and Drake Maye.
In the WNBA, young stars also lead the way: Caitlin Clark, Bueckers, Cameron Brink, Sophie Cunningham and Sabrina Ionescu.
In MLB, multiple generations are still represented: Shohei Ohtani, Ken Griffey Jr., Mickey Mantle, Paul Skenes and Elly De La Cruz.
In golf, Tiger is still king: Woods, Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau, Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm.
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