Know someone who thinks football was better in the 60s or that basketball peaked in the 90s? You might think that it would be impossible to find them the right gift for their nostalgic tastes, but actually retro is big news and it’s pretty simple to find them the perfect gift they will treasure. That being said, here are some ideas to get you started
1. Vintage Team Jerseys That Scream History
For starters, anything authentically retro will score you major points. Original vintage jerseys are like gold dust for these sports-obsessed time travellers. If you can locate a classic 1970s football shirt or a faded 80s rugby top that harks back to a team’s glory days, watch their jaw drop. Ensure it’s got that old-school collar, a slightly questionable colour scheme, and maybe a sponsor they haven’t heard of since before the internet was a thing. The more obscure the team, the better—ideally something that prompts them to start telling you about a legendary FA Cup run from 40 years ago. Just be prepared to pretend you’re fascinated.
2. Old Match Programmes & Unusual Memorabilia
Retro fans adore tales from yesteryear, so why not give them a piece of sporting history to hold in their hands? Old match programmes, ticket stubs from long-forgotten finals, or even trading cards featuring moustachioed athletes who look like they moonlighted in questionable 70s cop dramas. The weirder and rarer, the better. Scour online auction sites or specialist dealers for programmes from iconic games, or pick up a signed photo of some cult hero who scored that one miraculous goal. Trust me, they’ll be hugging that old pamphlet like it’s a long-lost treasure map.
3. Retro-Styled Equipment for the Wannabe Legend
If your friend still fancies themselves as a part-time sports star—just, you know, “not as fit as I used to be”—then consider kitting them out with some retro gear. Think old-fashioned leather footballs, tennis rackets strung with natural gut (ouch?), or wooden cricket bats. Admittedly, they might not use them for actual sport (splinters and all that), but these relics make for brilliant conversation pieces. They’ll prop that vintage hockey stick in the corner of their living room like a trophy and spend half the evening telling you how it reminds them of a legendary match in ‘82.
4. Tickets for a Timeless Sports Fix
So maybe your retro fan’s tastes run more transatlantic. For example, if they’re into basketball, nothing says old-school cool like a nod to the Lakers—a team that rocked iconic purple-and-gold well before it was fashionable. Sure, the team might have a thoroughly modern roster now, but their legacy includes the Magic Johnson era, Kareem’s skyhook, and more legendary moments than you can dribble a ball at. Treat your sporty time traveller to LA Lakers tickets and watch their face light up. It’s the perfect excuse for them to wax lyrical about the Showtime Lakers, comparing today’s squad to the legends of yore (with just a slight hint of “Well, back in my day…”).
5. Classic Sports Documentaries & Books
Need something that lets them wallow in nostalgia at their own pace? Go for timeless sports documentaries and classic books. Whether it’s a grainy doc covering the glory days of a national cricket side, a biography of some half-forgotten cycling hero, or a vintage Wimbledon highlights DVD from before people insisted on wearing neon trainers, these time capsules let them soak up the atmosphere of their beloved past. Just prepare yourself to hear these old stories more than once—they’ll have endless fun “educating” you on why this particular match changed the course of sporting history.
6. A Retro-Themed Sporting Experience
Why not go a bit nuts and arrange an actual throwback experience? Look out for vintage sports day events or local amateur leagues that still do things the old-fashioned way. Maybe they can try their hand at a cricket match played in all-white kits with charmingly half-baked pitches, or a cycling race where everyone rides old-fashioned bikes and sports handlebar moustaches. If nothing local fits the bill, consider creating your own “Retro Olympics” in your back garden. Think egg-and-spoon races, sack races, and maybe a three-legged race if you trust your gift recipient not to topple you into a hedge.
7. Vintage Posters & Wall Art
Finally, if you’re stuck for space or can’t find that perfect vintage jersey, how about some framed retro posters or illustrations featuring old-school athletes? Bold, colourful, and guaranteed to bring a nostalgic vibe to any room, these make excellent wall art for the sports fan who wants to be reminded daily that once upon a time, short shorts and questionable perms were all the rage in athletics. It’s a great way for them to dress up their home with a taste of sporting history—and for you to steer them away from showing off their own grainy old Polaroids of school sports day.
Embrace the nostalgia today!