It’s that time of year, where Christmas is front of mind and everyone is racing to get the perfect gifts for friends and family.
It doesn’t have to be tough buying gifts for sport-lovers, because we’ve managed to put together a long list of ideas… whether you’re shopping for basketball buffs, cricket crazies or football freaks.
We understand that sport’s not everyone’s cup of tea, though, so nailing gifts for the sports-mad can be an absolute punish.
That’s why we’re here to help.
With the sun out over the Chrissy period, people are after outdoor activities that help maximise the summer holiday period.
So make your pressie purchasing that little bit simpler.
From sports subscriptions, to the latest phenomenal sports books, to tickets to major events – there really is plenty to pick from.
Our sports Christmas gift ideas guide for 2023
League Pass / Game Pass subscriptions
Kicking off our sports Christmas gift ideas guide are these two subscription platforms.
With so much entertaining sport happening over in the United States, it is now almost essential that every sports fan has a subscription to watch live NFL and NBA matches.
In particular, the NBA League Pass and NFL Game Pass are a must, with only a few games each week being shown in Australia on other streaming platforms.
There’s still six months of the current NBA season remaining, meaning the monthly model might suit better. The NFL season is mostly behind us now, but why not sort out your loved one for the 2024 season, which ramps up in August?
Matildas World Cup kit
They stole the hearts of the nation this year like never before.
You’ll be sure to warm the hearts of many this Christmas by purchasing one of the Matildas World Cup jerseys.
There are many young girls dreaming of being the next Sam Kerr or Mary Fowler, so owning one of these iconic kits will make them feel one step closer.
Sports Christmas gift ideas don’t get much more Australian than this, whether it’s the classic home jerseys or the ever-popular blue kit, you really cannot go wrong.
Nedd Brockmann’s new book, ‘Showing Up’
For those of you who have no idea who Nedd Brockmann is, he is a young Australian champion who ran from Perth to Bondi Beach in 2022, raising an insane amount of money for Homlessness Australia and inspiring millions in the process.
He’s become an icon to many sports fans due to his inspiring determination and unbelievable physical feats, highlighted in his first autobiography ‘Showing Up‘.
It’s more than a story of what he did on that mammoth run, but how he did it and the different places his mind went to. From not liking running a few years ago to now ‘showing up’ and running 4000km, Brockmann’s story is like none other and we can only assume that extends to his book.
A Kayo subscription
There are many sports fans who aren’t just crazy about one code, they’re mad for all of it.
Kayo has become the one-stop place to watch both national and international sports in Australia, with NBA, NFL, NRL and AFL to name a few available on the platform.
Sports Christmas gift ideas don’t get much better than this. You do have to keep in mind that Kayo only shows select NBA and NFL games, as we eluded to above.
But regardless, there’s endless amounts of content for the sports mad to sink their teeth into.
Australian Open Tickets
It wouldn’t be a complete sports Christmas gift ideas guide without recommending some incredible sporting events to attend.
Sometimes the best gift isn’t something you can hold, but something you experience. And there’s not many better sporting events in the country than the Australian Open.
Experiencing some of the greats in tennis and the plethora of skilled Aussies in contention, it will surely be the highlight of someone’s year to witness that.
And late January, before the working year ramps up, is the perfect time for many people to commit to a quick trip to Melbourne.
Ticketmaster is the place to start at when looking into these tickets.
Boxing Day Test Tickets
Speaking of tickets, seats at the MCG between Christmas and New Years are particularly hot property.
The Boxing Day Test is undoubtedly the highlight of the Australian cricketing calendar, plus a great way to extend someone’s festive season.
Depending on where you live, you may need to book flights and accommodation. But who doesn’t like a trip down to the nation’s self-described ‘sporting capital’?
Jump on Ticketek first, though, and sort out the rest from there to secure undoubtably one of the greatest sports Christmas gifts.
Esky stumps
Staying on the theme of cricket is the summer icon and famous two in one – the esky stumps.
With Australia hot and sunny at this time of year, this is one of the perfect sports Christmas gifts; an essential for beach days through January.
‘Belonging’, a book by Owen Eastwood
For your sports fans more interested in the coaching aspects, ‘Belonging‘ by Owen Eastwood reveals what made him on of the most in-demand performance coaches in the world.
The book released in 2022 was given to every England football player in their European Championships squad for motvation along with the European Ryder Cup team.
With international sporting teams getting around this ‘must-read’, your sporty friend or family member will surely love it making it one of the great sports Christmas gifts to get this year.
Basketball shoes
The evolution of basketball shoes from something solely worn on the court to now an off court fashion statement has made them perfect for our sports Christmas gifts guide.
With plenty to choose from, here’s our list of the five best NBA signature shoes currently available from the big footwear brands.
NRL & AFL Monopoly
This might come as a bit of a random sports Christmas gift idea but sports monopoly sets invites the whole family to get around the table and spend time together.
There’s two individual sets – NRL and AFL – with game places based on clubs in the competition.
Test Match, Board Game
It’s an oldy but a goody.
Doesn’t matter how old you are, the game Test Match is still a ton of fun for a family or a group of mates.
It’s a unique board game based around the game of cricket where there are batting and field teams with interactive involvement from everyone playing.
North Sydney Bears ‘Bear Park Gin’
Although this seems niche to one Sydney-based rugby league team, our sports Christmas gift ideas guide wouldn’t be complete without an alcoholic sporting present and this idea speaks directly to our gin-loving, Bears-loving editor here at Only Sports.
Finders Distillery and foundation club the North Sydney Bears have collaborated to bring internationally acclaimed Australian dry gin and the Bears’ storied history together, releasing ‘Bear Park Gin‘. Adding sweet fig – a homage to the classic Moreton Bay Fig Trees at North Sydney Oval – and vibrant lemongrass, there should be plenty of Bear Park Gin going around this Christmas.
Think about this more broadly — does your friend or relative support a team? And if the answer is yes, jump on that club’s website and go through all their merchandise to find something that aligns.
Spikeball Set
Spikeball is a crazy cross between volleyball and handball played with two teams and is sure to get the competitive juices flowing this summer.
Great to bring out on a day at the park or the beach, which is probably where you’ll find yourself more often than not this summer.
