AliExpress Football Shirts Spreadsheet: Club, National, Retro and Basketball Jerseys

Fan version or player version?

Football shirts are sold in two cuts, and listings don't always say which:

General differences between the two cuts sold by major kit makers; individual listings vary.

If a listing shows heat-pressed badges and very fine ventilation holes, it's probably the player cut; embroidered badges usually mean fan. Many buyers find the fan version more comfortable for everyday wear. Whichever you choose, compare the listing's chest measurement with a shirt you own.

Verdict: For everyday wear, buy the fan version in your usual size. For the player cut, go up one size unless the chart says otherwise.

Names, numbers and patches

Names, numbers and competition patches are usually add-ons with their own price, and they change what you can return. AliExpress's return policy excludes customised items, so a shirt printed with a name and number is typically final sale. That argues for getting the size right before adding printing — or buying the plain shirt and printing locally.

Through an agent, you can ask for a photo of the printing before the shirt ships: check spelling, number font and placement. A misspelt name is easy to fix in China and impossible to fix once it's in your drawer.

AliExpress or an agent for football shirts?

Jerseys are light, so shipping isn't the main issue. The choice between AliExpress and an agent comes down to what you're buying:

For a single plain shirt, AliExpress's returns are the safer net. For a set of printed shirts — a team order, say — the agent's photo check before shipping is worth more.

Sizing jerseys from Chinese sellers

Asian sizing on jerseys often runs about one size small, and player cuts run smaller still. Measure a shirt you like across the chest (armpit to armpit) and compare with the listing chart. Children's kits are sized by age or height; go by height in centimetres where the listing gives it. The size converter covers Chinese clothing labels in general.

Retro shirts are a special case: they're often cut to the original season's pattern, which can be boxier than modern kits. Check the length as well as the chest.

Buying several shirts for a team or a group

Football shirts are often bought in groups — a five-a-side team, a supporters' trip, a family. Group orders change the route maths. On AliExpress, a store selling the shirt may ship all units together, but printing each with a different name usually makes the order non-returnable. Through an agent, you can order several units, ask for a photo of every printed name before shipping, and send them as one parcel with the rest of a haul.

Two practical tips for group orders: collect sizes as chest measurements in centimetres rather than letters, because letters drift between cuts; and order one sample first if the group is large, so everyone can try the fit before the rest are printed. The dropshipping sheet is handy for working out a per-person price if you're collecting money.