Best football gifts for fans of all ages

If you’re not a football fan, choosing the best football gifts for footie fans might seem difficult. Team kits are often extortionately expensive, and while it’d be lovely to buy them a season ticket for their favourite club, it’s not always affordable.

Luckily there are plenty of affordable football gifts out there that the footie fan in your life, be they a child, your child’s coach, or a full-grown football-loving adult, will be sure to love. Plus, with the highly anticipated World Cup 2022 happening over the next few months, there's no better time to gift a footie fan with one of these great football gifts.

In the quest to find the best football gifts the internet has to offer, we scoured the Mumsnet forums for what other people bought for the football fans in their life.

Our edit of the best football gifts for all ages takes into consideration how much they cost, if they can be personalised and how long they’ll last - because nobody wants to buy a novelty gift that ends up in landfill three months later. If you're still stuck for ideas, check out our guides to the best kids' football boots or the best footballs for more inspiration.

Here are the best football gifts for fans in the UK and beyond.

1. Best football video game: FIFA 23

Price on writing: £12 | Buy now from John Lewis

Key specs

Games console: PS4 | PEGI rating: 3, in-game purchases | Brand: Sony

Reasons to buy

• Play together against friends on PS4 and Xbox One

• Play as women's teams for the first time ever

• Enjoy Career Mode and Pro Club features

• New levels of customisation and gameplay

Reasons to avoid

• This version is for the PS4 only

Our verdict

The FIFA games are iconic among football fans and gamers alike, and the latest instalment is reportedly more impressive than ever, with realistic graphics and wow-worthy game play.

The FIFA 23 edition has over 19,000 players, 700+ teams, 100+ stadiums, and over 30 leagues to choose between, sure to delight any football fan who gets their hands on it. The game has a win for feminism too, with women’s games, matches and teams available - which gives it a big tick in our box.

It’s recommended for players aged 10 and over, and if the football fan in your family is already a fan of the FIFA franchise, they’ll be pleased to know that this edition feels slicker and faster, than ever before.

2. Best football gift for kids: Football Night Light

Price on writing: £12 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Size: ‎5 x 16.6 x 16.6 cm | Weight: 200g | Light type: LED | LED life: 10,000 hours | Power: Corded electric and battery powered, included | Materials: Glass, acrylic | Wattage: 2.5 watts

Reasons to buy

• Low power consumption

• Long life usage

• Remote controlled

• Colour changing

• Great night light

• 16 different colours and four flash modes

Reasons to avoid

• Reports that it is smaller than expected

Our verdict

It’s not aligned with any team in particular, so if you’re buying for a niece or nephew and you can’t remember who they support, this is the perfect choice.

The tricky thing about buying football gifts for footie-obsessed children is that they’ll likely have a lot of it already - but we think we’ve hit the gift idea jackpot with this fun and colourful bedroom light, in the shape of a football. Plus, unlike football-themed tops, bags or balls, they’re unlikely to already have one of these!

It has 16 different colours to flip between, and looks just as cool as a homework desk lamp as it does on a bedside table. Plus, it’s made with LED lights, so it’s energy efficient, giving an atmospheric soft light. Fans who use it as a night light say the dark blue is perfect for softly lighting the bedroom.

3. Best affordable football gift: Football Fan Lounge Socks

Price on writing: £9 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Wash: Machine washable | Grip: Non-slip | Material: Cotton, polyester, spandex | Size: One-size-fits-most men, UK 6 to 11

Reasons to buy

• Non-slip grip underfoot, great for lounging in the house

• Comfortable, soft crew socks

• One size fits most men

• "No.1 Fan" stitched in the calf area

• Variety of colours to best match favourite team(s)

Reasons to avoid

• Arguably a little expensive for socks

• Novelty socks only, unsuitable for daily wear

Our verdict

They say “shhh! The match is on” on the sole, in rubber lettering, so the football fan in your house won’t slip around.

Proving that football themed gifts don’t always need to be crazy expensive are these fun slipper socks.

Available in 11 traditional football team colours, these are super soft and fit UK mens sizes 6 to 11, plus they have a 76% five star rating on Amazon, and 16% four-star, so you can rest assured these are football fan-approved.

The positive reviews are in abundance, reading: “Hubby loved these Sunderland socks, comfy and [they] wash well,” and “These socks are great. They are super soft and comfortable and the writing on the bottom is great for gripping on shiny floors. They look great too and fit very nicely.”

Another noted that £9 is pricey for one pair of socks, but added the quality makes it worth it. “These are really comfy to wear and whilst they are a bit pricey for a single pair of socks, they are well made and the added novelty value of the wording/colour scheme makes it worth it in my book!” they wrote.

4. Best overall: Toyrific Power Play 28" Table Top Football Game

Price on writing: £40 | Buy now from John Lewis

Key specs

Assembly: Partial self-assembly needed | Dimensions: H14.5 x W36.5 x D64cm | Materials: Wood, plastic and metal | Recommended age: 5 years and above | Weight: 4.3kg

Reasons to buy

• Sturdy and durable design

• Suitable for competitive game of 9 a side

• Lots of games to play

Reasons to avoid

• Restricted to two players at once

Our verdict

This sturdy, durable table top football is perfect for enjoying a miniature version of the good game, anywhere in the house.

Suitable from five years and above, this table looks as good as it plays, and even has leg stands for extra stability and elevation. Whether you prefer to play a quick game of 'tiki taka' passing football, or would rather 'get in the mixer' ASAP, one thing every player can agree on is a good pitch. Whatever your style, this table top football game is a great addition - and one that we're sure any football fan, young and old, will enjoy playing.

5. Best game for football fans: World Football Stars Monopoly

Price on writing: £30 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Material: Cardboard, plastic | Number of players: 2 to 8 | Batteries: No | Recommended age: 6 years and above | Dimensions: ‎40 x 26.7 x 5 cm | Weight: 1kg

Reasons to buy

• Favourite family game with a twist

• Choose your favourite football token

• Tour favourite players and stadiums

• High rated on Amazon

Reasons to avoid

• More expensive than other Monopoly choices

Our verdict

Rather than the usual tokens, this version of the iconic game allows players to play as a whistle, a football boot, a trophy, a goal and many more.

This is one of the more expensive items in our edit of the best football gifts, but it will keep football fans young and old busy for hours - making it worth the money in our mind.

A treat for those whole lovely Monopoly and football, players can invest in stands and stadiums as they make their way round the infamous board.

The game has 76% five-star reviews on Amazon, with praise flooding in from football fans. “Huge hit with my football mad son,” one wrote, while another said: “Great family game, if you're a football fan and Monopoly gamer, you'll love this.”

Another added: “My Grandson loves his new World Football Stars Monopoly game.”

6. Best personalised football gift: Personalised football calendar

Price on writing: £15 | Buy now from Getting Personal

Key specs

Dimensions: Desk calendar A5, wall calendar A4, or wall calendar A3 | Colours available: Red, white or blue | Material Paper, plastic

Reasons to buy

• Personalised design available in three sizes

• Three shirt colours (red, white or blue) to match favourite team

• Can add the name of recipient

• Can select a start month

Reasons to avoid

• Images cannot be changed

Our verdict

The name, shirt number and colour of the shirt can all be customised to suit who you’re buying for.

Personalised football gifts can end up being pricey, with customised kits often costing an eye-watering amount. So this bespoke calendar makes for an excellent budget-friendly personalised football gift. Plus, you can tailor it towards the team they support, and each month’s picture features the personalised details.

The calendar is the ideal way for your football-lover to keep track of matches, along with their own training schedule if they’re on a team. Reviewers agree this is an ideal gift, writing: “A great gift for a football fan.”

7. Best football stocking filler: World Football Stars Top Trumps

Price on writing: £8 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Recommended age: 3 to 10 years old | Weight: 1.03kg | Dimensions: H27 x W5 x D27 cm

Reasons to buy

• A great game for football fans

• The whole family can enjoy

• Suitable from a younger age

• Lots of trivia and games included

• Entertaining and educational

Reasons to avoid

• Easy to lose cards if out and about

Our verdict

Nothing beats a game of Top Trumps, and this compact set of cards makes for the ideal stocking filler or Secret Santa gift for any football fans you know.

Not only is it fun, it helps the player learn about football players too, which they’ll love. It has 71% five star ratings, and 18% four star, so is football fan approved, with positive reviews flooding in for this timeless game.

One fan praised how much they learnt from the game, writing: “Great cards full of lots of football trivia information,” while another said their football-mad friend gave it his seal of approval. “Bought as a gift for my friend's son and he was very happy with it,” they wrote.

8. Best football coach gift: Personalised Stainless Steel Whistle

Price on writing: £15 | Buy now from Getting Personal

Key specs

Material: Stainless steel | Personalised: Luxury gift box option available, up to 26 characters can be engraved | Features: Includes sturdy strap

Reasons to buy

• A thoughtful gift for a football coach

• Can be personalised with a message

• Gift box option available

• A gift they'll use again and again

Reasons to avoid

• Only 26 characters available for engraving

Our verdict

If there’s a football coach on your Christmas shopping list this year, we’d like to point you in the direction of this customisable whistle - ideal for getting unruly players in line.

You can personalise both the name and the position (be it coach, referee etc.) in this high quality, pleasingly heavy whistle. It comes complete with a sturdy strap so they can wear it round their neck, and you can buy it with a luxury box for an extra-special touch.

We love this gift for thanking a coach for all their hard work during the season, plus it’ll be great to see it in use on the pitch - because nobody likes buying a useless gift that just sits in the drawer gathering dust.

9. Best chocolate football gift: Personalised chocolate football

Price on writing: £10 | Buy now from Etsy

Key specs

Dimensions: 100mm diameter, transparent box is 120mm cubed | Ingredients: Belgian milk chocolate | Personalised: Yes, a short message can be added

Reasons to buy

• Perfect for someone with a sweet tooth

• Made of Belgian milk chocolate

• Can be personalised

Reasons to avoid

• Not suitable for vegans

Our verdict

Delight chocoholics and football fans alike with this delicious chocolate football, personalised with whatever wording you want, be it a birthday message or a happy Christmas note.

It comes from a small business based in South Wales - and buying from a small business always gives us a warm fuzzy feeling, so that’s a bonus in buying this chocolate football.

It’s made from delicious, smooth milk chocolate and is almost too lovely looking to eat, as one reviewer pointed out, alongside a five star review: “Such a fab little gift! Still not eaten two weeks later- I think he’s scared to bite into it!”

Others said the ball makes a fab cake topper for football fans, while another review noted how intricate and beautifully done the personalised detailing was.

Other reviewers praised the super fast delivery, making this ideal if you need a last minute gift - plus everyone noted how carefully this was packaged to ensure it arrived in perfect condition.

Whether you’re looking for a Christmas, birthday or a congratulations gift, this is a lovely choice.

10. Best football pencil case: Fringoo silicone patch pencil case

Price on writing: £10 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Colour: Black | Materials: Silicone, polyester | Dimensions: 22 x 13 x 2.8 cm

Reasons to buy

• Great for a young(er) football fan

• An item that will be used over and over

• You can also get matching bags, backpacks and bottles

• Different compartments

Reasons to avoid

• Does not come with stationary

Our verdict

A pencil case is a surefire hit for any children who love football, making it an easy gift for that friend in your child’s class you have no idea what to buy for.

The beauty of this football pencil case is that it’s not affiliated to any team, so you can buy it safe in the knowledge the receiver will love it whether they support Man United, Bristol Rovers or Nottingham Forest.

It’s great quality too, so should last a good few terms at school, keeping all of their prized stationery safe.

There are also matching school bags, water bottles, wallets and bumbags if you’re in the mood to splash out.

This cool pencil case has 77% five star reviews, with one reviewer writing: “This is great, the colours are lovely, It has great sections to separate your stationery and I've had mums come and ask where I got my daughters pencil case and loved that it had matching bag and lunchbag.”

What to gift a football lover

Deciding what to buy for a football lover can be difficult - especially if you don’t follow the sport yourself. Mumsnetters on our forum suggest everything from season tickets, to football strips to a subscription to Match of the Day magazine - though anyone with a football fan in the family will know the price of those gifts soon adds up.

Luckily there are plenty of affordable football presents out there, including football pencil cases, chocolate football gifts and lots of personalised football presents too, which will wow the receiver just as much as an expensive football gift.

How to gift wrap a football

Even the most experienced gift-wrapper would struggle to wrap a ball - we’d suggest popping it in a gift bag, or even inside a box and wrapping that - that will keep the surprise running for longer too!

Alternatively, loosely wrap the football in tissue paper, then wrap that in cellophane and tie with a ribbon on top, for a fancily wrapped football.

How we chose our recommendations

Our Swears By edits are compiled by journalists with expertise in the areas they’re writing about. To help ensure we give the best, most accurate and trustworthy recommendations, they follow several steps when choosing products.

Recommendations from real parents

Before we recommend new products, we always ask our trusted Mumsnet users, of which there are more than seven million each month. That’s a lot of honest, impartial advice.

Expert guidance

Our team always ensures our information represents the latest recommendations from experts that you can rely on. They use a variety of sources to compile considered product selections, which includes independent consumer reviews from reputable sources and retailers like John Lewis and Amazon, as well as including products they’ve tried and tested themselves, resulting in a trustworthy, in-depth and honest set of product reviews.

Celebrated best products

Finally, we cross-referenced all of the above information to find the best football gifts that had won the most accolades and recommendations across the board to bring you a selection of the best presents at various price points. We think there’s something here for everyone.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.