Labor Day weekend has passed, the air is crisper, the Minnesota State Fair has concluded, and the crockpot is defrosting… you know what that means: football season is upon us.
Say goodbye to your NFL-loving family members, we’re busy for the next 18 weeks!
Football season brings more than just Sunday games. It brings tailgates, watch parties, chilly stadiums, game-day traditions and plenty of opportunities to gather with friends and family. And where there’s an experience, there’s an opportunity for branded merchandise to become part of it.
From the stadium to the tailgate to the living room couch, these are five branded merchandise products that are ready for football season:
1. Clear Stadium Bag – The Game-Day Essential
A clear stadium bag is more than a piece of team merch; it’s a practical game-day necessity. With NFL stadiums limiting the size and type of bags fans can bring inside, a clear compliant bag makes it easier to carry the essentials so you can focus on the game! For brands, it’s also an opportunity to put a logo on an item fans can use again and again throughout the season.
2. Crewneck Sweatshirt – The Layering Essential
Football season means cooler temperatures, and a cozy crewneck representing your team spirit is the perfect way to stay warm and support your home team. Plus, apparel is one of those branded merchandise pieces that can live far beyond game day, making it a great opportunity for brands to get long-term visibility.
3. Serving Tray – The Hosting Essential
Football season is filled with gatherings around the TV, and it’s always paired with good food. Serving trays make game-day appetizers easy to serve and even easier to share with guests. They also offer a larger branding canvas that can turn a simple hosting essential into a standout piece of game-day décor.
4. Portable Speaker – The Vibe Essential
Music is a major part of the tailgate experience. A compact branded speaker can create the perfect atmosphere before kickoff and is a constantly used item in and out of season. It’s a great example of branded merchandise that connects with an experience while still providing value long after football season ends.
5. Koozie – The Tailgate Essential
No football merchandise roundup feels complete without a Koozie. Ice-cold game-day beverages are built to be placed in your favorite Koozie, keeping your drink cold while bringing visibility to the brand. They’re affordable, easy to hand out and practically made for tailgates, making them a classic branded merchandise option for football season.
Buying opportunities are in every season. Take each opportunity to showcase new products, introduce useful items and think about where your customers’ merchandise will be used. The best branded merchandise becomes part of the experience, and your next branded product might just end up at their next tailgate!
Kate Murray is the Communications & Public Relations Specialist at American Solutions for Business, a 100% employee-owned distributor. Since entering the promotional products industry in 2024, she has found a passion for connecting people through storytelling and shared experiences. She is actively involved in UMAPP, serving on committees and helping launch the Young Professionals Committee. Kate thrives on the people-first nature of the industry and the relationships that fuel it. In her PromoJournal column, expect a sports-inspired perspective, where lessons from competition, teamwork, and the fan experience often intersect with marketing and business.