Custom Nike clothing for company sporting events: What to order and when?

ByLeo Victor
Custom Nike clothing

Custom Nike clothing works well for company sporting events because people actually wear it after the event. A branded Nike polo or hoodie gets worn to the gym, the office, and the weekend game, and your logo goes with it.

This guide covers why company sporting events are worth running, how to plan one, which custom Nike apparel fits each type of event, and when to order so everything arrives on time.

Why should your company host a sporting event?

A company sporting event gets people talking outside their usual teams and roles. Coworkers who never share a meeting end up on the same softball team, and that familiarity carries back into the office.

The event can be almost anything:

  • A basketball, softball, or pickleball tournament
  • A round of golf
  • A group trip to watch a local team play

Sporting events also work for clients. A golf outing or a box at a game gives you hours of relaxed time with a client that a lunch meeting doesn’t.

If you host your own tournament, you can open it to outside teams and charge an entry fee. That turns the event into a fundraiser. For ideas, see marketing and promotion for golf fundraisers.

How do you plan a company sporting event?

Start with the goal, then work backward to the date. Here is the order that keeps things from slipping:

  1. Set the goal. Decide whether the event is for team building, client relationships, or fundraising. The goal decides who you invite.
  2. Count heads and set a budget. Estimate how many people will play and how many will watch.
  3. Decide whether you are attending or hosting. Attending a pro or college game is simpler. Hosting a tournament means a venue, equipment, and referees.
  4. Pick a date with enough lead time. Give yourself time to book the venue, send invitations, and order apparel. Rushed events cost more and go wrong more often.
  5. Book the venue. Check capacity, parking, traffic, and how easy it is to get there. If the event is outdoors, have a rain plan.
  6. Order supplies. Hosted events need equipment, scorecards, medals or awards, and refreshments. Hire referees if the games are competitive.
  7. Order branded gear. Apparel and corporate gifts need production time, so order them early. The timeline section below shows how early.

iPromo’s events planner can help you map promotional items to dates on your calendar.

Why choose custom Nike clothing for company events?

People recognize Nike and want to wear it. That matters for a gift: a shirt that goes to the back of a drawer does nothing for your brand, while a Nike quarter-zip someone wears every week puts your logo in front of people for years.

Nike makes performance fabrics like Dri-FIT, so the clothing works for the event itself, not only as a souvenir. The same polo works on the golf course, at a client meeting, and on a casual Friday.

Nike clothing does cost more per piece than generic branded apparel. The trade-off is that people keep it longer and connect your brand with a name they already like.

Which Nike items work best for each type of event?

Match the item to what people will be doing that day.

EventBest Nike itemsWhy
Golf outingNike polo shirts, Nike hatsPolos meet most course dress codes; caps block sun
Tournament or field dayNike shirts, Nike Brasilia drawstring backpackLight layers for playing; a bag for gear
Fall or winter gameNike hoodies and sweatshirts, Nike Track JacketWarm layers for cold stands
Client or executive giftNike Tech Fleece Full-Zip Hoodie, Nike Dri-FIT 1/2-Zip Cover-UpHigher-end pieces for top clients
Event staff or organizersNike Dri-FIT Victory Colorblock PoloEasy to spot in a crowd

Most styles come in men’s and women’s cuts, such as the women’s Nike Tech Fleece hoodie and women’s Dri-FIT 1/2-Zip. Ask attendees for sizes when they RSVP.

How is your logo added to Nike clothing?

iPromo adds logos to Nike clothing with embroidery or screen printing.

  • Embroidery stitches your logo into the fabric. It holds up well in the wash and looks professional, so it is the standard choice for polos, hats, and sweatshirts. Very fine details may not stitch cleanly, so a simplified logo often works better.
  • Screen printing presses ink through a mesh screen. It gives bold color and sharp lines, and it suits T-shirts and large back designs.

Common logo spots are the chest, sleeve, and back.

When should you order custom Nike apparel for an event?

Order custom Nike apparel at least 3 to 4 weeks before your event. Standard production takes 7 to 12 business days after you approve the proof, and U.S. shipping adds 3 to 5 business days. Leave a few extra days for the proof itself.

Other ordering details:

  • Minimums vary by item. Most Nike polos, sweatshirts, and hats start at 1 to 12 units, so small teams can order.
  • Rush production in 24 hours is available on some items. Browse 24 Hour Rush products if the date is close.
  • Samples and digital proofs are available before the full order.
  • Mixed orders are fine. You can combine Nike styles in one order, pack them into custom swag boxes, or ship to several addresses.

What other gifts work for company sporting events?

Branded gear for the day itself is useful too, and much of it costs less than apparel.

For players:

For spectators and tailgates:

For golf outings:

What other sports brands can you customize?

Besides Nike, iPromo customizes gear from Adidas, Under Armour, The North Face, Titleist, CamelBak, Converse, Eddie Bauer, Stanley, YETI, and Gildan. See the full list of retail brands or browse golf, sports, and outdoor products.

If your team wants to reorder gear after the event, an on-demand company swag store lets employees order their own sizes.

To get pricing for your event, contact iPromo or call 888-994-7766.

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