Top 5 Football Online Stores

You may find the greatest football gear online at one of two types of stores: those that cater to fans by selling officially licensed jerseys and apparel, and those that cater to equipment by selling safety gear that meets all the necessary criteria. This manual is not about international football (soccer), but rather American football (NFL), high school football, and youth tackling and flag programmes. The best soccer online stores may be found in a dedicated section of SportsPlus's website.

The following five shops cater to slightly different types of customers: NFL Shop, Fanatics, Dick's Sporting Goods, Academy Sports + Outdoors, and Sports Unlimited. They all sell fan clothing and playing equipment. No one should be shopping for jerseys, pants, and helmets in the same way. This includes parents shopping for their first-time youth player, thirty-something kids, and a coach. Learn the ins and outs of each store's true strengths, what to look for in safety gear, and how to avoid making the most frequent and costly mistakes with this comprehensive guide.

Key Takeaways

• Stores should be matched with purchases. Academy Sports + Outdoors, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Sports Unlimited sell real playing gear; NFL Shop and Fanatics are made for jerseys and fan merchandise.
  
  
• Safety equipment must have NOCSAE certification. The NFL, NCAA, NFHS, and USA Football all mandate that helmets, along with pads and gloves, satisfy NOCSAE requirements.
  
  
• Teams should consider buying in bulk. Sports Unlimited isn't like other stores; they focus on outfitting complete teams.
  
  
• The purchasing habits of young football fans are changing. There has been a shift in the amount of gear a family truly requires due to the rapid growth of flag football over tackle among younger age groups.
  
  
• Kids' physical return options are important as they mature. If a player is still developing in the middle of the season, you can return the item to either Dick's Sporting Goods or Academy Sports + Outdoors and get a new fit.
  
  

Quick Comparison: Top 5 Football Online Stores

What Should You Look For in a Football Online Store?

Who you're buying it for and what you're buying determine the best store to go. Make sure the gear is officially licensed (for jerseys and apparel), that protective gear has current NOCSAE certification, that the site has clear youth sizing guidance, and that returns or exchanges are realistic if the fit is wrong before comparing individual retailers. Because football helmets and pads are measured more precisely than a jersey, the last point is more important in football than in most other sports.

1. NFL Shop

There is direct NFL licensing on every item of merchandise, hat, and jersey sold at NFL Shop, the official online store of the league. With an extensive selection of authentic items from top brands like Nike, New Era, and Fanatics Branded, NFL Shop is the go-to place for officially licensed NFL clothes and gear for all 32 teams.

Fans who want official team colours, jerseys worn by current players, and game-day stuff from the source but don't want to worry about authenticity will love this.

Important note: NFL Shop mostly sells fan gear and memorabilia, not protective gear for players. Scroll down this page if you require training gear, pads, or helmets.

2. Fanatics

An independent, massive sports goods business, Fanatics has a storefront for each of the 32 NFL teams. The NFL Pro Shop on Fanatics.com features apparel for each of the 32 teams in the NFL, allowing fans to purchase official NFL stuff such as jerseys, merchandise, apparel, and gifts. With an ever-expanding selection of NFL gear, it has become one of the biggest online apparel retailers.

The ideal customers are those who value variety, love to purchase often, and prefer to manage their accounts for several sports and leagues all in one place.

Be aware that due to Fanatics' extensive licensed retail network, pricing and availability may differ by team or drop. Before you buy it, see if NFL Shop has the same thing.

3. Dick's Sporting Goods

The fact that Dick's Sporting Goods has brick-and-mortar locations all across the nation in addition to an extensive online football catalogue is more significant for football than for other sports. The shop sells football gloves that have been authorised by NOCSAE, so you know they're durable, have good grip, and will keep you safe on the field. The reasoning behind this is the same for all of its products, including helmets, pads, and cleats: it's really helpful to be able to try on and return gear at a local store, especially for a young athlete whose size can change mid-season.

Customers who like to return or try on items in person, as well as those who are looking to purchase both playing gear and fan wear simultaneously, will find this choice to be the most convenient.

Keep in mind that a football speciality store may have a wider selection than a smaller or youth-specific football brand.

4. Academy Sports + Outdoors

Academy Sports + Outdoors sells a wide variety of athletic goods, including a surprisingly extensive football section that includes anything from fan clothing to full protective gear. Every level of football player may get what they need, including NOCSAE-certified helmets, position-specific shoulder pads, and cleats. Its football selection features names like Under Armour, Wilson, Shock Doctor, Nike, Rawlings, Schutt, and adidas.

Who it's best for: First-time parents shopping for a youth player's gear, because of the easy return policy, size charts, and price match guaranty.

Keep in mind that Academy, similar to Dick's, is a general shop; as a result, they do not provide the same level of specialised support for dedicated teams or bulk orders as a supplier that just specialises in football equipment.

5. Sports Unlimited

Football is one of the main categories sold by Sports Unlimited, a specialised retailer that focuses on team sports equipment. The business has been in operation since 1983, expanding from a single location in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania to become a national internet hub for athletes. It has clothing, footwear, and headgear from companies including Riddell, Schutt, Nike, Under Armour, and Douglas, among others. With regards to safety, Sports Unlimited guaranties that all of their youth football helmets are up to par with or surpass the standards set by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE).

It differs from the aforementioned general stores in that it allows coaches and equipment managers to outfit a full programme instead of just one player, thanks to its bulk and team ordering capabilities. Orders placed before 3 p.m. ET are shipped the same day, and many orders are eligible for free two-day shipping.

Ideal for: League officials, coaches, and equipment managers who need to purchase gear for a whole team all at once, such as helmets, pads, or outfits.

Things to keep in mind: You wouldn't go here for a laid-back jersey for a game because they specialise in equipment and aren't a fan gear destination.

How Do You Choose the Right Football Store for What You Need?

The fastest way to decide is to match the store to the buyer, not the sport.

Why Does NOCSAE Certification Matter When Buying Football Equipment?

Almost every football governing body requires NOCSAE certification, which shows that protective gear has been evaluated against a recognised safety standard. Football, baseball/softball, field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse, polo, and soccer are all covered by the standards developed by NOCSAE, an ANSI-accredited standards organisation. Many groups rely on its standards, such as the National Football League, the National Federation of State High School Associations, USA Football, and the NCAA.

An independent certified certifying authority, the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI), is responsible for equipment certification, not NOCSAE itself. Although consumers often fail to notice this difference, it clarifies why a helmet bearing both the "NOCSAE standard" and the "SEI certified" labels is significant and not meaningless.

For items that will be passed down through generations, this is of utmost importance. Recertification of football helmets is required by NOCSAE standards, and the organisation urges coaches, parents, and players to determine if their gear is qualified for recertification or if it needs to be replaced. Never assume a helmet is safe to buy based on its appearance alone; always check the model and certification date, especially if you're buying from an unknown third party or are purchasing a used helmet.

Why Football Buying Habits Are Changing

Football has evolved over the past decade, thus the term "football gear" no longer carries the same connotation. The Sports & Fitness Industry Association reports that in 2024, just under 6.1 million Americans participated in tackle football, while around 7.8 million played flag football. According to Project Play's statistics, involvement in tackle football decreased by 7% among children aged 6 to 12, but participation in flag football increased by 14%.

The items that parents truly require to purchase are impacted by that change. If a parent is getting their child ready for flag football, they won't need nearly as many protective items as those getting them ready for tackle football, where a licensed helmet and full pads are mandatory. Before you go out and buy everything you could possibly need, make sure you find out what format your child's league uses.

What Mistakes Do Buyers Commonly Make When Buying Football Gear Online?

• Skipping the sizing chart on helmets and pads. Football is one of the least forgiving sports for guessing a size, and a poor helmet fit is a safety issue, not just a comfort one.
  
  
• Buying protective equipment without confirming NOCSAE certification or a recertification date, particularly with used or third-party-sold gear.
  
  
• Buying jerseys from unofficial resale sites rather than licensed retailers, which carries real counterfeit risk and no manufacturer warranty.
  
  
• Not planning for growth when buying pads or a helmet for a youth player mid-season.
  
  
• Waiting until the week before the season starts, when popular team colors and youth sizes sell out at every retailer, not just one.
  
  
• Ordering gear one player at a time instead of asking about team or bulk pricing when outfitting more than a handful of athletes.
  
  

How Does SportsPlus Fit Into Football Equipment and Season Planning?

Getting the proper equipment from the correct vendor is just half the battle for a league or team. The flip side is that most equipment seasons fail because no family receives the sizing guidance, ordering deadline, or payment request on time.

Equipment is not sold by SportsPlus. It manages the logistical aspects of gear season for leagues and clubs, such as notifying parents of upcoming deadlines and facilitating their registration, collecting deposits or fees for equipment through integrated online payment systems, and publishing season-related information, such as sizing guidelines or links to preferred vendors, on a club or league's website. All of that doesn't make the aforementioned list of retailers any less important, but it does eliminate a typical source of failure: equipment that is in excellent condition and arrives promptly from a fantastic business but never gets ordered because a parent forgot to check their email.

Final Takeaway

Look no further than Fanatics or NFL Shop for all of your fan gear needs. The greatest places to get personal playing gear, in terms of both selection and ease of returns, are Academy Sports + Outdoors and Dick's Sporting Goods. Sports Unlimited is tailor-made for leagues and coaches who need to order gear for a whole squad. When shopping for head and body protection, make sure that any product has NOCSAE certification as an absolute must-have, not an optional extra.

The most challenging aspect of "gear season" for football clubs and leagues is actually getting parents to sign up, pay, and reply when asked, and SportsPlus is designed to handle that. Schedule a demo to observe its functionality in action for your company.