The market for classic and match-worn football shirts is experiencing a significant boom, transforming what was once simple club affiliation into a multi-million dollar global business. Companies like MatchWornShirt sell authenticated, often sweaty, player-worn jerseys for thousands, while Classic Football Shirts deals in vintage second-hand kits. This trend reflects football shirts' emergence as streetwear and cultural calling cards, driven by nostalgia, fashion, and a desire for unique items.
The smell of victory: boom in classic football shirts shows no sign of fading
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The market for classic and match-worn football shirts is experiencing a significant boom, transforming what was once simple club affiliation into a multi-million dollar global business. Companies like MatchWornShirt sell authenticated, often sweaty, player-worn jerseys for thousands, while Classic Football Shirts deals in vintage second-hand kits. This trend reflects football shirts' emergence as streetwear and cultural calling cards, driven by nostalgia, fashion, and a desire for unique items.
Trending- 1 A decade ago: MatchWornShirt set up
- 2 2006: Adriano-era Nike Brazilian shirt mentioned
- 3 Last season: Cole Palmer scored four first-half goals against Brighton
- 4 2025 (June 8): Article published
- 5 2026: World Cup
- Multi-million dollar global business
- Football shirts becoming fashion items and cultural symbols
- Increased demand for authenticity
- Potential for market saturation if brands don't understand the space
What: The market for classic and match-worn football shirts is booming, becoming a multi-million dollar global business. Companies like MatchWornShirt sell player-worn jerseys (e.g., Son Heung-min's for £22,000, Cole Palmer's for £34,000), even preserving their smell and stains. Classic Football Shirts sells second-hand vintage shirts, experiencing 25% growth. This trend is driven by football shirts becoming ubiquitous streetwear and cultural symbols, appealing to collectors, fashion enthusiasts (e.g., 'blokecore'), and those seeking personal connections to sporting moments. Authenticity is a growing concern, addressed by digital platforms and chips.
When: Published 2025-06-08. MatchWornShirt set up a decade ago. Cole Palmer's four first-half goals last season. US private equity firm took control of Classic Football Shirts in its last set of accounts.
Where: Amsterdam (MatchWornShirt HQ), London, UK (biggest market), United States (second biggest market), China (third biggest market), Dublin, South America, Japan, Miami, New York, LA.
Why: Nostalgia, personal connection to sporting moments, fashion trends (streetwear, 'blokecore'), desire for unique and authentic items, investment potential.
How: Companies like MatchWornShirt and Classic Football Shirts facilitate sales through auctions and retail. Digital platforms and chips are used for authentication. Social media and cultural figures (Dua Lipa, Fontaines DC) popularize the trend.