Fan Version, Player Version & Retro Football Jerseys Explained

At first glance, player version and fan version jerseys look almost identical — same colors, same logos, same overall design. The price difference isn’t about one being “better,” but about how the jersey is meant to be used.

Player version jerseys are made for on-field performance, using advanced fabrics and a fit identical to what players wear during matches.
Fan version jerseys are designed for everyday wear, focusing on comfort and durability for fans.

The key differences come down to fit, fabric, and badges.

Fit

Player Version – These jerseys are made with a sleeker, slim fit and athletic design for field play. 

 

Fan Version – These jerseys are designed for comfortable normal wear. The fit is more relaxed, so you can show your support in the stands or out on the street. Unlike the player version, this fit is better for most body types, even ones that haven’t been out on the field for a while.

 

Fabric

Player Version – The most notable difference in the feel of player version jerseys is the fabric. It’s extremely lightweight and stretchy. This fabric is designed to be breathable, with many tiny holes to allow for ventilation. And, the sweat-wicking feature of a player version jersey keeps moisture away from a player’s body, while the fabric dries more quickly. 

 

Fan Version – These jerseys are still made from very breathable fabric, although there isn’t as much ventilation (i.e. tiny holes in the fabric). These jerseys are not as stretchy and are made of a heavier weight, climate control fabric for longer durability.

Badges

Player Version – Badges on fan version jerseys are heat transferred. This creates a more seamless look and is lighter weight for players on the field.

 

Fan Version – These jerseys have the same logos and badges as player version jerseys, however, they are embroidered on, so they have a weightier look and feel.

 

 

Name & Number On The Back 

There is often a misconception that Player Version jerseys come with name & number pre-printed on the back of the jersey, which is FALSE. In fact, both Player Version and Fan Version jerseys do not come with any printing on the back. The back side of both version is plain as shown in the picture below

 

You can instead customize both of them with the player name & number of your choice with extra cost

 

 

 

Retro Jerseys :

·Retro jerseys are essentially the Fan Version replicas of classic or past-season kits. They follow the Fan Version sizing guide and typically feature high-quality embroidered logos, giving them a vintage yet premium feel.

Key Takeaway: Retro jerseys follow Fan Version sizing and fit.

 

SIZING

The sizing on Player Version jerseys run smaller than that of Fan Version jerseys.

·Fan Version Small = Player Version Medium, and so on.

· Just for reference, I am 5'8 in height and 70kgs in weight and I am wearing size M in Fan Version & Size L in Player Version.

You can refer to the size chart below for better understanding

*Allow 0.5-1 inch of error due to manual measurement

*Kids Jerseys and Polo Shirts are Fan Version-like.

Now that you can tell the difference between a player version and a fan version jersey, you need only to decide which fit and feel you’re looking for. 

Are you looking for a relaxed comfortable fit for wearing in the stands? Or,

Are you looking for a lightweight trim jersey just like they wear on the field?