Team Soccer Jerseys vs Individual Kits: What’s the Better Option for Your Squad?

If you’ve ever coached, captained, or coordinated a soccer team, you’ve probably faced this question:

Should we order full team jerseys or just let players buy their own gear?

At first, letting players buy their own kits sounds easier. Less admin, less upfront cost, less hassle. But if you've ever dealt with mismatched uniforms, number conflicts, or late-arriving gear, you know it’s rarely that simple.

Let’s break down both options—team soccer jerseys vs individual kits—so you can make the right call based on your squad, your budget, and your goals.

Let’s get clear on the terminology.

Team Soccer Jerseys

• Ordered by a coach, manager, or coordinator for the whole team

• Same brand, same design, ordered in bulk

• Often includes custom names, numbers, and logos

• Delivered all at once

• Usually includes a team discount

Individual Kits

• Each player orders their own jersey separately (sometimes from a shared template)

• Players might get different fits, brands, or even incorrect numbers

• Can lead to inconsistencies in color, design, or delivery times

On paper, individual kits seem more flexible. In reality, they usually cause more chaos—especially once the season starts.

Here’s what makes the team-order approach more reliable:

1. Uniform Look = Instant Credibility

A coordinated kit doesn’t just look better, it makes your team feel official. Whether you’re a rec team or a traveling club, that sense of unity matters.

And for tournaments, mismatched uniforms can lead to disqualifications or penalties. Some leagues even require matching kits with clear numbers.

2. Bulk Pricing Saves Money

Most suppliers (like The Soccer Factory ) offer serious discounts when you order 10, 15, or 25+ jerseys. That means better-quality gear, for less.

Example:

• Individual Adidas jersey: $45 retail

• Team price for 15 units: $29 each
  Multiply that by your roster, and you’re saving hundreds.

3. Delivery Is Centralized & On Time

Team orders get processed as a single job. No guessing if one kid’s jersey is still stuck in shipping.

When you order as a team:

• You get everything in one box

• You can check sizing and assign numbers quickly

• You’re game-ready with no last-minute scrambling

Want to learn how turnaround times vary by order type? Read the real cost breakdown of team jersey orders.

Let’s be honest—individual kits sound convenient at first. But they open the door to a bunch of issues:

1. Players Order Late (or Not at All)

There’s always someone who forgets to order—or orders the wrong thing. And suddenly you’re scrambling before the first match.

2. Size & Fit Chaos

One player orders a youth large, another gets an adult small, and suddenly now two kits look the same.

3. Color Mismatches

Different print batches mean one red isn’t the same as another red. If you care about uniformity, this kills it.

4. Number Conflicts

When players pick their own numbers, you risk duplicates. Fixing it last-minute usually means paying for reprints—or taping numbers on jerseys.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But here’s what you should weigh:

Age of Players

• For youth teams, centralized orders are almost always better—kids grow fast, sizing help is essential, and parents appreciate simplicity.

• For adult leagues, you might get away with self-ordering if everyone’s responsible.

Budget

• Bulk orders give you more control and better value per jersey.

• Individual orders push costs onto players—but often without the team price break.

Timeframe

• Tight deadlines? Team orders = faster, cleaner, more reliable.

• Long planning runway? You might make individual orders work, but you’ll need strong oversight.

Let’s say you’re running a U14 travel team with 16 players.

Option A: Team Soccer Jerseys

• Nike Park VII + full customization

• Bulk pricing: $32.95 per jersey

• One shipment, one invoice

• Every jersey: same style, color, size range managed by you

Result: Uniform look, no surprises, game-ready on time.

Option B: Individual Kits

• Each parent gets a link to order the jersey on their own

• Player A orders early, Player B forgets, Player C orders a different fit

• Shipping times vary

• 2 players accidentally pick the same number

Result: Disjointed appearance, game-day stress, last-minute backups

If your team needs individual ordering (due to league rules or budget), you can still apply structure:

• Use a shared team store with preset designs and sizes

• Set a hard deadline for orders

• Assign jersey numbers in advance

• Order a few backup jerseys in popular sizes

At The Soccer Factory, we help coaches set up team stores with locked-in colors, numbers, and logos—so players get the convenience without the chaos.

When Individual Ordering  Does  Make Sense

Let’s be fair—there are use cases for individual kits.

• Adult Rec Teams where everyone pays their own way

• Training or Practice Gear that doesn’t require full customization

• Supplemental Pieces like warmups, socks, or travel hoodies

But for actual game-day jerseys? Team ordering is nearly always the better play.

Still debating it? Compare youth, school, and club jersey options