A team kit can look brilliant on the rail and still cause trouble on match day if half the squad feels restricted, swamped or unable to move freely. The best way to choose team jersey sizes is not to guess from everyday clothing sizes. Use the garment’s own measurements, account for how it will be worn, and give every player a clear deadline to confirm.
That small bit of organisation prevents the most common kit-order problem: a last-minute list built from assumptions. It also helps your printed names, numbers and sponsor logos land on jerseys that players will actually want to wear.
Start with the fit your team needs
Before asking anyone for a size, decide how the jersey should fit in action. A close-fitting football shirt, a relaxed basketball vest and a rugby top worn over a base layer all need different amounts of room. There is no universal “right” fit, even within the same sport.
Think about the conditions as well. Will players wear the jersey directly against the skin, over compression clothing, or over a long-sleeve top in colder weather? A lightweight running top may be chosen closer to the body, while a touchline or training jersey usually needs extra space for layers.
Also consider your team’s preference. Some players like a fitted look; others want a looser jersey that feels less restrictive. For a competitive squad, performance and comfort normally come first. For a charity match, stag event or company tournament, you may have more flexibility, but nobody enjoys spending the day tugging at an uncomfortable shirt.
How to choose team jersey sizes from a size chart
Every garment brand cuts its products differently. A medium in one range may measure closer to a large in another, especially where unisex, women’s and junior fits are involved. That is why the size chart for the exact jersey you are ordering matters more than the label in a player’s current wardrobe.
Ask your supplier for the garment measurements before you collect sizes. In most cases, the key number is chest width measured flat across the jersey, from armpit to armpit. Double that figure to compare it with a body chest measurement, then allow enough ease for movement and layers.
For example, a player with a 100 cm chest should not automatically order a jersey with a 100 cm garment chest. They need additional room to stretch, run, raise their arms and breathe comfortably. How much extra room is right depends on the cut and sport, but a close technical fit and a relaxed teamwear fit should not be treated the same way.
Length is worth checking too. Taller players may need to move up a size for coverage even when the chest measurement is right. This is particularly relevant for basketball, netball, rugby, cycling and workwear-style team tops, where repeated movement can make a short garment ride up.
Measure a jersey that already fits well
The quickest reliable method is to measure a favourite sports top rather than the person. Lay the jersey flat without stretching it, measure across the chest just below the armholes, and compare that measurement with the new garment’s chart.
This is often easier than asking a full squad to take body measurements correctly. It gives players a practical reference point and makes it clear that the size is based on the product, not a vague small, medium or large label.
If you do measure the body, use a tape around the fullest part of the chest and keep it level. Do not pull it tight. Players who sit between sizes should usually size up when the jersey is slim-cut, when layers will be worn underneath, or when movement is more important than a tailored appearance.
Send the chart, not just a size request
A message that says “reply with your jersey size” invites guesswork. Send the size chart with the deadline and ask players to check it against a garment they own. Make the instruction simple: measure your best-fitting sports top across the chest, compare it with the chart, then submit one confirmed size.
For larger teams, use a shared spreadsheet or form with each player’s name, chosen size, shirt number and spelling for personalisation. Make one person responsible for checking duplicates, missing entries and number clashes before production begins.
Account for junior, women’s and unisex fits
Do not assume that a junior large will fit a smaller adult, or that a unisex small is the same as a women’s medium. The proportions can be very different through the shoulders, chest, waist and length.
Women’s jerseys are generally shaped differently, while unisex garments tend to have a straighter cut. Neither is automatically better. The right choice comes down to player preference and the available range. Offering more than one fit can improve comfort, but it can also make ordering more complex and may affect colour matching or stock availability.
For junior teams, use age guidance only as a starting point. Children of the same age can vary enormously in height and build. Parent-confirmed measurements are much safer, especially if the kit must last for a full season. A little growing room is sensible, but an oversized jersey can become distracting during sport.
Do not forget printing and personalisation
Names, numbers and sponsor prints do not change the garment size, but they do raise the cost of getting it wrong. A plain shirt can sometimes be exchanged depending on the supplier’s terms and stock condition. A personalised jersey is made specifically for that player, so returns are often not possible unless there is a production fault.
This is why the sizing sign-off should happen before artwork approval and production. Check each player’s name carefully, confirm the number sequence, and make sure the selected print position works with the garment design. Stripes, seams, zips, pockets and mesh panels can all affect where artwork can be placed.
If your order includes a large back number, avoid choosing a jersey that is already extremely tight across the shoulders and back. The print should sit flat and look consistent across the team. A correctly sized garment helps with that.
Use samples when the order matters
For a one-off social game, a well-managed size chart may be enough. For a league squad, tournament, club relaunch or corporate sports event, ordering a sample first can save a great deal of hassle.
A sample lets you assess the real fabric weight, stretch, length, neckline and fit. It also gives team organisers something physical to pass around at training. If several players are between sizes, a sample often settles the question in minutes.
There is a trade-off: samples add a little time and cost. But they are especially worthwhile when you are ordering a new brand, changing from cotton to performance fabric, or buying a large number of personalised jerseys. Fast turnaround is useful, but it works best when the size list is already accurate.
Build a final size list that production can use
Once sizes are confirmed, do not keep changing the list through scattered WhatsApp messages. Create one final order sheet with the garment style, colour, fit type, size, name, number and any captain or sponsor detail. Mark it as final before it is sent for printing.
Check stock availability early, particularly for less common sizes such as extra small, 3XL and above, women’s cuts, and junior sizes. If a particular size is unavailable, find out whether the same style can be sourced in a nearby size or whether an alternative garment will look noticeably different. Mixing products within one team can solve a fit issue, but it may affect colour shade, fabric finish and print consistency.
A supplier such as East London Printers can help you match the right garment range to your deadline and print method, but the most valuable information you can provide is a clean, confirmed size list. That keeps production moving and reduces avoidable back-and-forth.
Avoid the shortcuts that create expensive mistakes
The biggest error is ordering a standard size run without asking the team. Buying mostly mediums and a few smalls and larges may sound efficient, but real squads rarely follow a neat pattern. Another common mistake is relying on a player’s usual T-shirt size. Casual T-shirts and sports jerseys often fit very differently.
Avoid ordering everyone a size up “just in case” as well. Extra room is useful for some activities, but oversized kit can look untidy, move around during play and make printed numbers appear poorly placed. The goal is comfortable movement, not simply the biggest possible shirt.
Give players a firm confirmation deadline, especially where personalisation is involved. If someone misses it, record the size chosen by the organiser and make clear that it is a best estimate. That may feel strict, but it protects the rest of the order from delays.
A properly sized jersey does more than make the team photo look sharper. It lets players focus on the match, the event or the job at hand – which is exactly where their attention should be.