As we wind down the clock on the year, we reached out to our friends at Soccer.com for insight into their highest-selling soccer jerseys of 2021. This is the third year in a row in which we’ve highlighted the soccer jerseys Americans care about most. It’s interesting to note the constants and what has changed during that time.
Before we dive into some of the specifics, let’s start with the headlines. Due to the pandemic, EURO 2020 was shifted one year and, as a result, the jerseys of three countries make an appearance among the 10 most-sold jerseys. While Copa America was also shifted, no countries are represented among the top 10. Only one country from this summer’s two Concacaf tournaments features – can you guess which country?
There are four different teams represented among the five club team jerseys on the list. Interestingly enough, two of those teams also featured in 2019 and 2020. Before you take a peek at the graphic below, do you think you know the teams? One is arguably the biggest club soccer brand in the world and the other is also in that conversation, but has had much more recent success.
Mexico, Mexico, Mexico
For the third year in a row, a Mexican National Team jersey features among the top 10. Different from 2019 and 2020, this year the Mexico home jersey leads the pack and we must admit, it’s a gorgeous jersey. Despite not winning a trophy in either the Concacaf Nations League or Gold Cup, Mexico fans purchased the jersey in large numbers.
On a club level, Mexico is also represented by PUMA’s 20/21 Chivas third jersey – the third-highest selling club jersey on Soccer.com so far this year. I’ll come back to the PUMA story shortly.
FC Barcelona, Liverpool make it three years running
As I mentioned earlier, only two club teams have been represented among the top 10 of Soccer.com jersey sales each of the past three years. FC Barcelona is the first and has two of the highest-selling soccer jerseys. The patchwork-style Nike 21/22 home jersey and the Nike ’21 El Clasico jersey are both fresh takes on the traditional Blaugrana vertical stripes.
Liverpool is the second team to feature three years running. Despite a “lackluster” 2020/21 Premier League season in which they finished third, the 20/21 jersey was a hot item coming off the heels of the team winning the UEFA Champions League and the 2019/20 Premier League titles.
Euro 2020 teams feature heavily
Fans and players had to wait an extra year for EURO 2020, but that didn’t stop them from buying jerseys. Italy, Germany, and France all were among the most-sold jerseys through August 2021. PUMA’s Italy home 20/21 and away 21/22 jerseys were both featured and it makes sense given the team’s summer success.
Despite early exits for Germany and France, their jerseys were also among the most-sold jerseys.
PUMA has a strong year
I’ve sprinkled this in a few times already, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge the success PUMA and the team it sponsors have had in 2021. Italy won EURO 2020 in its jerseys. Manchester City won the 2020/21 Premier League in its jerseys. Chivas remains one of the biggest soccer brands in all of the Americas. Oh, and while not jersey-related, they also added Christian Pulisic to their list of athletes.
U.S. Soccer not represented
One obvious team or country not included in the top 10 through August 2021 is U.S. Soccer, despite releasing new jersey this year. Is this surprising? Perhaps, given their inclusion in prior years. However, the jersey was released in June and don’t discount the fact that there are additional outlets selling the jersey, including U.S. Soccer who has its own store.
Categories: Research