8 Fan Merch Items Clubs and Leagues Can Sell
For community clubs and their leagues, selling merchandise on game day and even after the game helps raise funds and gives the club a strong sense of identity. In this blog, we’ll cover what merch clubs and leagues can order to engage with fans during game days.
Licensing comes first
Someone owns most branding on Australian sport merch. Your club crest may belong to the club, but the competition logo belongs to the league, and governing bodies and professional teams tightly control their marks as trademarks. Printing them without permission can stop production, waste stock, or land you a letter from a lawyer.
A few practical points:
- Keep any approval emails, as suppliers may ask you to confirm you have the right to use a logo.
- If your league already has an official merch supplier, check your club isn’t bound by that arrangement.
- When in doubt, design merch around your own crest and colours, which is usually the simplest path
Rules differ between codes and state associations, so treat the table as a starting point and confirm with your league before you start artwork.
What leagues and clubs actually order
Clubs and leagues have different buying needs. Clubs usually want a small selection of items to sell throughout the season. Leagues, on the other hand, need larger quantities, consistent products for many clubs, and deliveries that arrive on a set date. Wendy Li, who handles logistics for our larger clients, specialises in ensuring these complex orders arrive on time and without issues.
- Clubs order: scarves, beanies, caps, supporter apparel, stubby holders, drink bottles and raffle items.
- Leagues order: grand final and carnival merch, representative team apparel, umpire and volunteer gifts, and themed round items.
The 8 items that sell
1. Club scarves
During winter, AFL, rugby, and community soccer clubs find that scarves are still their best-selling item for their fans.
- Knitted jacquard scarves carry colours through the yarn, so nothing fades.
- Printed polar fleece scarves suit junior clubs on tighter budgets.
- Colour matters more than the crest, since colour is what reads from across the ground.
2. Caps and bucket hats
For summer and outdoor sports, I recommend outdoor merch like caps and bucket hats. These are best-sellers to your fans because they can use them when the heat of the sun during the game becomes intense..
3. Supporter tees and hoodies
Supporter tees and hoodies usually bring in the most money, but they can also be risky. Many clubs end up with too many extra-small sizes and not enough large ones at the end of the season.
- Run a pre-order window so you order to real demand.
- Stick to two or three core colours.
- Hoodies sell across both seasons, from winter games to early summer starts.
4. Stubby holders
Stubby holders are affordable, easy to pack, and often sell out by the home final. You can put a sponsor’s logo on one side and your club crest on the other. If your club is part of the Good Sports program, make sure alcohol-related merchandise fits your club’s policy before selling it.
5. Drink bottles and travel mugs
Fans can carry these bottles with them anywhere, even after the season has concluded. We recommend you order:
- Plastic bottles keep junior pricing low.
- Insulated steel bottles suit seniors and a higher price point.
6. Sports umbrellas
Melbourne and Hobart get plenty of rain in winter, while summer brings sun everywhere. Ariane Milarpez, one of our account managers for community and charity events, says the BLUNT sports umbrella is her top pick, which shows how practical it is.
- Price it as a premium item or use it as a raffle prize.
- The large canopy gives sponsors generous logo space.
7. Branded sunscreens
Clubs often forget sunscreen, but it sells out quickly on hot days in Queensland or WA. So you can resell these and brand them with your league or club’s logo so fans would love them. If sunscreens are not for you, I also think frisbees are a great option.
8. Folding chairs
Parents spend hours on the sidelines each season. Ariane Milarpez, one of our account managers, whose personal favourite is the oversized folding chair because she likes relaxing outdoors at casual events, which is exactly what a community ground feels like on weekends.
- One of the highest-value items a club can sell
- A popular raffle prize or volunteer thank-you from the league
Indigenous rounds and themed games
Many leagues now hold Indigenous rounds, pink rounds, or charity games, and these events often sell more merchandise than regular games. Shealeigh Keeney, one of our account managers, especially enjoys working on Aboriginal and community-focused projects because they highlight culture, connection, and storytelling.
- Commission artwork from a local First Nations artist
- Credit the artist and the story behind the design at the stall
- Allow extra time for approvals with the artist, club and league
Placing the order
Most issues with club and league merchandise come from timing and last-minute changes. Charles Liu, co-founder of Cubic Promote, notes that once items enter print production, it’s usually too late to make changes.
Lead times vary by product and decoration method, so confirm timing with your account manager before setting a launch date.
What to share upfront
Charles Liu, co-founder, appreciates when clients share their budget upfront, as it helps him find the right products for less money. He can also suggest options more quickly when he knows exactly how the items will be used.
- Budget and whether sponsors are contributing
- Code, season dates and age groups
- Licensing approvals already in hand
- Whether items are for sale, giveaways or volunteer thanks
- Club colours as Pantone references if you have them
Our team likes to discuss things in person or over the phone. Charles finds that these conversations help him understand what a club really needs, and then he follows up by email so the committee has all the details in writing.
Talking to us about your range
Send us your code, budget, estimated quantities, and any licensing approvals. One of our account managers will get back to you with options that fit your members, your league, and your storage space.
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