June is prime time for sports fans. The Stanley Cup Finals are underway, the NBA Finals are moments from starting and both baseball season and the WNBA season have begun. Amidst all of that must-see TV, there’s one more big day you can’t forget — Father’s Day! If the Dad in your life is big into sports, you’re likely already well versed in getting him something sports-related for the holiday (and every other one).
As the holiday quickly approaches on June 21, you may be wondering: what do you get the guy who has everything? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We scoured the internet and shared our own personal recommendations for the best sports gifts for dads who love basketball, baseball, football, golf and more.
Slam dunk sports book$undefined$19.99
An "essential read" for fans$11.45$19.99
A bite-sized treat$undefined$39.00
Best gifts for basketball dads
For the beginner who is looking to get all their questions answered or the pro who needs a little refresher from time to time, this informative (and hilarious) read from author and journalist Shea Serrano has it all. From off-kilter player profiles to rules of the game and analysis on who’s truly the best of the best, this book will keep basketball lovers occupied for hours.
Available in a number of different consoles from PlayStation 5 to Nintendo Switch, players can hit the virtual court as their favorite athletes and work towards building a legacy team.
For the fan who’s always looking forward to tuning in to the NBA Finals, gift them a cap that can show their love for their team (if that’s the Knicks). I have a few of these hats from ‘47 in both Knicks and Yankees styles, and recently added this one to my collection for this Finals run. The fit never disappoints and it always achieves the exact look I’m hoping for.
Known for their highly-coveted collaborations with New York City sports teams, New York or Nowhere tees are a status symbol among those game attendees. This tee features their tag line with the NBA and Knicks logos sprinkled in.
Best gifts for baseball dads
Enjoy a drink at the end of the day in these rocks glasses that feature an overhead map of your team of choice’s ballpark and its surrounding area. For options that hold a bit more liquid, you can find the same style in pint glasses and can-shaped glasses.
If their goal is to visit all of the ballparks in the nation, gift them with this map that will help them track their progress and plan out which one to visit next. “This is a great way to track what fun is left to come,” shared one reviewer.
Aviator Nation recently expanded its MLB capsule collection with new pieces like this cozy, vintage-style hoodie. Not a Phillies fan? No problem! You can also find picks for the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, Cubs, Mets, Braves, Astros, Giants, Padres, Mariners, Tigers and Diamondbacks.
Best gifts for golf dads
Combine passions of barbecue and golf with this seven piece set, that features a golf club-inspired handle on each utensil, as well as salt and pepper shakers designed to look like golf balls.
Upgrade them from the pennies and tees they normally use to mark their ball to this shark fin, sure to cause some laughs on an otherwise quiet course. This is a “big hit with the golf fans,” said one reviewer who gifted this to her son.
Customize a set of golf balls for Dad with a sweet or funny photo. They’ll become one of his most prized possessions (and he’ll be sure to not lose these... at least as much as his other ones).
Best gifts for football dads
If they spend their Sundays in front of the TV rooting for their fantasy football roster, gift them this book to read in the offseason that will help them learn how their favorite league came to be.
Help them relive their favorite sports moments with these “best of” coasters. Choose from either their alma mater or their favorite NFL team — as well as slate or leather coasters — for them to set their game day drink on.
Whether he’s always experimenting with new recipes for dinner or loves to spend his summer nights stationed at the grill, he’ll appreciate a new apron to rep his favorite football team. Crate & Barrel recently launched a NFL collection that’s filled with everything he needs to turn his home into a shrine to his favorite team.
Comfortable, cozy and not overwhelmed with their team’s colors, this neutral hoodie offers a different take on sports gear. Available in five different teams and a range of sizes, it’s a low-key yet fashionable way to support their favorite teams. It also comes in a crewneck version, if that’s their preferred style.
Best personalized sports gifts for Dad
Customize this book with a hand-crafted title, his name, a photo for the cover and a special dedication. To take the personalization aspect to the next level, put in when they became a fan and the included content will be a personalized timeline of the team’s history.
If he thinks he knows all there is to know about his favorite baseball team, gift him this book that chronicles their history via reprinted coverage from the archives of The New York Times. It may even teach him something new! The front of the book can be embossed with his name and, if baseball isn’t his thing, there’s also a football version.
Instead of “Mahomes” or “Brady” on the back, customize a jersey with their last name or nickname on it. With every NFL team to choose from, it won’t be hard to score a touchdown with this gift.
Best gifts for dads who watch from the couch
Whether watching alone or with a group, take the watch party to the next level with these delicious (and Knicks-themed!) bite-sized cupcakes from Baked by Melissa. The blue and orange tie-dye cupcakes are topped with vanilla frosting and blue and orange sprinkles to match. I’ll definitely be adding these to cart for the watch parties I’m hosting for this year’s Finals.
I’ve been shuffling around in these slippers since Opening Day and they’ve only gotten more comfortable over time. If you really want to make him feel extra cozy, pair these slippers with the matching robe from the Yankees collection.
If he prefers college sports, he’ll love this soft-to-the-touch blanket from Minky Couture. There are options for dozens of schools, so you can find the one for his favorite team and/or his alma mater!
Best gifts for dads who play sports
For the person who prefers to play pickleball on a court, give them this set, complete with two paddles, four balls, to truly perfect their sport.
Every athlete knows that one of the most important parts of working out is recovery. Several editors on the team, myself included, are fans of the recovery shoes from Oofos. My husband and I both look forward to slipping these on after any races we’ve run.
After a day of playing sports, he’ll appreciate this wrap for his back from Therabody. It vibrates, is heated and even has LED lights. My husband and I can’t get enough of this thing. My back always hurts after long runs (which is probably a posture problem I should work on) and this is one of the things I look forward to using most at the end. The vibration and heat combination is so soothing.
Best sports gifts under $50
An intimate inside look into the career and life of Billie Jean King, gift this autobiography to the history buff who cannot seem to get enough of the news surrounding the U.S. Open or is curious to learn more about the sport. Whether they enjoy reading about women’s sports, overcoming groundbreaking barriers or what life was like in the 1950s and ‘60s, this is a “must read,” according to reviewers.
Whether he’s tuning in to the Stanley Cup Finals or waiting for his team to make their return next season better than ever (it’s their year, for real this time!), he’ll love having some new swag to don. Game 7 was founded by hockey legend Mark Messier and has options for 11 of the teams in the NHL.
The Gist is a women-founded brand helping to break down barriers and make sports more accessible for certain communities that have faced oppression in athletics.
This tee highlights one of their many goals: leveling the playing field to make sports a more welcoming space for anyone and everyone.
Whether they’re a fan of a fictional team or one that plays IRL, this logo is recognizable to fans across the pond and here at home. Reviewers love tees from Homage because they’re “soft and comfortable.” What more could you want?
The sports fan in your life has most likely seen this tee making the rounds on social media, having been worn by WNBA stars, rugby players and celebrities alike. It’s available in sizes XS-3XL, and the brand says they run a bit oversized, recommending you size down if you want one more fitting.
I own two different versions of this shirt — one for the New York Liberty and one that’s WNBA-specific. I bought my usual size of an XL but it really is unisex, so I think a L would’ve been sufficient. It’s a heavier/more sturdy material than your typical T-shirt which helps me feel better about the price!
If they’ve amassed a collection of both bibs and medals from past races, give them something that’ll help them show it all off. My mom gifted me and my husband each one of these for Christmas last year and it was easily one of the most useful gifts we’ve ever gotten. It’s a major improvement from our previous system of shoving the bibs in drawers and hanging the medals on door handles.
A coffee table book that will have one itching to lace up their running shoes and set a new personal record, it offers a rich history of the race that has taken over the New York City streets for the past 50 years. “It is really fun to see how the NYC marathon has evolved over the years,’’ one reviewer said of this photo book that takes readers through different eras and time periods.
Frequently asked questions
When choosing a Father's Day gift for the sports fan in your life, think about not only what they would like, but what they would actually use. The best gifts are somewhere in the middle.
If he already has the traditional team gear like hoodies, shirts and hats, think about gifting him something a bit more unique and personal to him. A custom book detailing the history of the team or an upgrade of a kitchen item they use regularly are good places to start.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides to find the perfect present Dad this Father’s Day including gifts under $50, gifts for Grandpa, gifts for husbands, cool gifts and gift baskets.
