Thriving demand for traditional football jerseys in the United States amidst the flourishing soccer scene
Classic Football Shirts: A Haven for Soccer Fans in the Heart of New York
Classic Football Shirts, a UK-based retailer of vintage soccer jerseys, has made a significant mark in the United States, opening a flagship store in New York City. The store, located at 323 Canal Street, has been a hit since its opening in May 2022, attracting soccer enthusiasts from all over.
The store's success can be attributed to its extensive collection of over 100,000 soccer-related products, meticulously sourced and authenticated by a dedicated UK team. This process involves extensive research, collaboration with clubs and businesses, and quality rating before offering shirts for resale. This approach has helped Classic Football Shirts build credibility and a loyal customer base among retro soccer fans in the U.S.
The store's popularity is also linked to the growing interest in soccer in the U.S., with the 2025 Club World Cup just past and the 2026 World Cup on the horizon. Moreover, the store has capitalised on the cultural resurgence of football shirts as fashion and collectibles. This shift has seen retro football shirts become coveted vintage items, blending nostalgia with style.
Ronaldo Ayala, a content creator and keyholder for Classic Football Shirts NYC, highlighted the store's mission to be a third space for the soccer community. He explained that the store has two gigantic televisions and spacious couches for fans to interact, making it a perfect spot to watch games, especially since finding free spaces in the States to do so can be challenging.
Classic Football Shirts has also gained traction in the U.S. due to the TikTok fashion trend "Blokecore," which incorporates soccer jerseys with everyday outfits. This trend has led to collaborations with fashion icons like Pharrell Williams, who designed chic football jerseys for Adidas and Nike.
People have been visiting the store after discovering it on TikTok or Instagram, planning trips to New York specifically to visit the store. The store has received positive feedback from visitors, with people expressing their love for the store. Before selling any shirt, the company undergoes a process of authentication, seeing what's wrong with the shirt, rating it, and pricing it.
Classic Football Shirts was founded in 2006 by Doug Bierton and Matthew Dale, who were searching for an original 1990s West Germany jersey ahead of the World Cup in Germany. The jersey from the 1998-99 season, particularly meaningful to the club's supporters, is a significant part of the store's collection.
In conclusion, Classic Football Shirts’ growth from a niche UK retailer to a popular U.S. store is due to its authentic and extensive stock, timing with growing American interest in soccer, and the broader fashion movement embracing football shirts as style icons. The store continues to attract fans of all ages, offering a unique and engaging experience for soccer enthusiasts in New York City.
- The success of Classic Football Shirts in New York City is not just limited to the retro soccer jerseys they sell, but also extends to their involvement in the broader fashion industry, particularly with the emerging trend of "Blokecore."
- The store's partnership with fashion icons like Pharrell Williams, who designs chic football jerseys, is a testament to the intersection of sports, fashion, and lifestyle that Classic Football Shirts represents.
- The store's authentic collection of over 100,000 soccer-related products has helped it make inroads into the U.S. finance industry, as people plan trips to New York specifically to visit the store.
- Classic Football Shirts' mission to create a third space for the soccer community, complete with two giant televisions and comfortable seating, aligns it with the retail sector, providing an engaging experience for customers and fostering a sense of community among sports fans.
