MatchWornShirt

What MatchWornShirt does

MatchWornShirt B.V. is an Amsterdam-based digital auction marketplace founded in 2017 that connects sports fans and collectors with authenticated match-worn memorabilia from clubs and teams worldwide. The platform runs live online auctions that begin at kickoff or game time, replacing pre-match digital mock-ups with high-quality photographs after each match, and offers fixed-price 'Buy Now' purchases of pre-framed signed jerseys through its Signature Frames collection. Its proprietary Fabricks™ digital certification technology — a registered trademark — issues a digital certificate of authenticity for each item detailing athlete and match information, and is reinforced by blockchain-based authentication integrated with the Chiliz Chain via NFTs.

The company has built a two-sided model: a B2B supply side anchored by licensing agreements with over 350 clubs, leagues, and national federations (including Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Liverpool, MLS/MLSPA, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Mexican Football Federation under a 2026-2031 deal), and a B2C demand side serving global individual collectors and fans. Revenue is generated through three streams: auction transaction fees (take rate on successful bids), direct sales of framed jerseys at fixed prices, and multi-year licensing/royalty payments from clubs and federations. Distribution is entirely digital through the mws.com web platform and native iOS/Android applications, with worldwide shipping from Amsterdam.

Beyond core soccer, MatchWornShirt has expanded into basketball, cycling, rugby, cricket, ice hockey, and kickboxing, and has executed co-branded marketing campaigns (e.g., Lysol/Reckitt 'Stink Behind the Win' with Tim Howard) and charity auctions (Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, Uniform Funding Foundation). A 20% strategic stake held by Chiliz since March 2023 underpins blockchain-based authentication and NFT integration. The company is privately held with a headcount in the 11–50 range.

Name

MatchWornShirt

Legal name

MatchWornShirt B.V.

Website

https://matchwornshirt.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MatchWornShirt is an Amsterdam-based digital auction marketplace (founded 2017) that connects global sports collectors with authenticated match-worn memorabilia from 350+ clubs across soccer, basketball, cycling, rugby, cricket, and ice hockey via live auctions and its proprietary Fabricks™ digital certification technology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Sports Memorabilia Auctions

NAICS

Sporting Goods Retailers (45911), Used Merchandise Retailers (4595)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Collectibles Marketplace & Auction Platforms (CRAMAOAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Game-Used & Match-Worn Memorabilia Retail (CRAMAOAC), Sports NFTs & Collectibles Marketplaces (FSADANAH)

Keywords

• Live sports auctions
• Match-worn memorabilia
• Authenticated collectibles
• Digital certification
• Sports memorabilia marketplace

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Auction Transaction Fees: MatchWornShirt takes a commission/take rate on each auction sale. The platform facilitates live online auctions where collectors bid on authenticated match-worn jerseys and memorabilia, with the company earning revenue from successful transactions.
2. Direct Sales (Buy Now): Pre-framed and signed jerseys available for immediate purchase at fixed prices through the Signature Frames collection, bypassing the auction process for select premium items.
3. Licensing Deal Revenue: Multi-year licensing agreements with leagues (MLS, NBA) and national federations (Mexican Football Federation) provide exclusive rights to auction authenticated match-worn memorabilia, creating recurring partnership revenue streams.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

MatchWornShirt operates a digital live-auction marketplace for authenticated, match-worn and signed sports memorabilia sourced from 350+ clubs and national teams across soccer, basketball, cycling, rugby, cricket, and ice hockey. Auctions launch at kickoff or game time, with each item paired with a proprietary Fabricks™ digital certificate of authenticity and Chiliz Chain blockchain verification. The platform supplements its core auction product with fixed-price Signature Frames, a framing service, jersey authentication, sprint auctions, and a digital "My Collection" portfolio accessible via web and mobile apps.

Product overview

MatchWornShirt is a digital auction platform for authenticated match-worn and signed sports memorabilia. Founded in 2017, the platform operates a core live auction product where fans bid on game-worn jerseys and collectibles in real time during matches, with digital mock-ups replaced by high-quality photos post-game. The platform's proprietary Fabricks™ technology provides blockchain-based digital certificates of authenticity for every item. The product portfolio spans Soccer (jerseys, goal scorer items), Basketball, Cycling, Rugby, Cricket, and Ice Hockey, with add-on services including a framing service, jersey authentication, and a mobile app for iOS and Android. The platform has partnerships with over 350 clubs worldwide including Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea FC, AC Milan, and national teams, and also offers a buy-now framing collection and Sprint Auctions for time-limited 24-hour sales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fabricks™: Proprietary digital authentication technology used to certify the authenticity of memorabilia and provide digital certificates for each item.

Products and services

• MatchWornShirt Live Auctions Live online auction platform enabling fans and collectors to bid in real time on authenticated, match-worn and signed sports memorabilia from soccer, basketball, cycling, rugby, cricket, and ice hockey. Auctions launch at kickoff or game time, with digital mock-ups replaced by high-quality photos after the match showing signatures and details.
• Fabricks™ Digital Certification Proprietary blockchain-based digital certificate of authenticity system that verifies and records each jersey's provenance, athlete details, and match information. Powered by Chiliz Chain NFT technology following the 2023 partnership.
• Jersey Authentication Service Authentication service that verifies signatures against official footage, confirms match details, and issues digital certificates for jerseys submitted by collectors for verification.
• Framing Service Premium framing service displaying signed jerseys in signature frames, including limited-edition frames and classic framing options for purchase.
• Signature Frames (Buy Now) Pre-framed signed jerseys available for immediate purchase at fixed prices, including signature collections from top players like Heung-Min Son and historical pieces like the Dutch Trio (1988–89).
• MatchWornShirt Mobile App Native mobile applications for iOS (Apple App Store) and Android (Google Play Store) enabling users to browse and bid on auctions on the go, including exclusive app-only sprint auctions.
• My Collection Digital portfolio tool allowing authenticated jersey owners to manage, display, and track their match-worn memorabilia collection.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 4,000 Premier League shirts listed during Arsenal's 2024-25 title-winning season
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship and core.

• Lysol (Reckitt)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 May 2026Marketing campaign partnership for Lysol Laundry Sanitizer called 'Stink Behind the Win' featuring American soccer legend Tim Howard. Includes YouTube video content and charity auction of Howard's signed match-worn gear with proceeds benefiting The Uniform Funding Foundation.
• Mexican Football FederationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 May 2026Five-year partnership (2026-2031) making MatchWornShirt the Official Digital Auction Partner for Mexico's Men's and Women's National Teams across all official competitions and international friendlies. Features authenticated, signed match-worn jerseys with Fabricks™ digital certification, with auctions launching ahead of major global tournaments.
• Major League Soccer (MLS) and MLSPAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 March 2026Multi-year licensing deal with MLS and the MLS Players Association covering all 30 teams. Agreement includes authenticated match-worn signed jerseys across regular-season games, playoffs, and the All-Star game. OneTeam Partners served as commercial agency.
• Los Angeles ClipperscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 March 2026Multi-year licensing deal with NBA franchise Los Angeles Clippers. First live auction took place on March 9. Expands platform's basketball offerings beyond European teams to include major US NBA franchise.
• OneTeam PartnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommercial agency that brokered the MLSPA licensing deal. Played intermediary role in establishing partnership between MatchWornShirt and MLS Players Association.
• Paris Saint-GermaincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of over 350 club partnerships worldwide. PSG authenticated match-worn memorabilia available on platform, including Ousmane Dembélé's Champions League Final jersey which set a record auction price.
• Chelsea FCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier League club partnership with authenticated match-worn memorabilia available on platform. One of the founding major European club partnerships.
• AC MilancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSerie A club partnership providing authenticated match-worn memorabilia to the platform. Among the elite European clubs in the MatchWornShirt network.
• Tottenham HotspurcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier League club partnership. Tottenham match-worn memorabilia available through platform auctions.
• Arsenal FCflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier League champions (2024-25) with extensive memorabilia offering including Kai Havertz's title-winning shirt (£26,700) and Leandro Trossard's winning shirt (£22,500). Arsenal PL Champions Specials collection available.
• Club AméricacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Mexican club partnership. Among the prominent club partnerships supporting the platform's Latin American expansion.
• NapolicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSerie A club partnership. Napoli match-worn memorabilia available on the platform.
• Liverpool FCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier League club partnership. Mo Salah's Remembrance Day match-worn shirt raised over £21,000 for Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal.
• Bayern MunichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBundesliga powerhouse with authenticated match-worn memorabilia available on platform. Part of the extensive European club network.
• Manchester CitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier League champions partnership providing authenticated memorabilia access for collectors.
• Real MadridcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Liga giant partnership. Real Madrid authenticated match-worn memorabilia available on platform.
• Charlotte HornetscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBA franchise expanding basketball offerings alongside LA Clippers partnership. Part of US sports expansion.
• Team Visma | Lease a BikeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional cycling team partnership providing authenticated cycling memorabilia including team-issue jerseys and gear.
• England CricketminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational cricket team partnership expanding platform's sports coverage beyond football and basketball.
• France RugbyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational rugby team partnership. Rugby memorabilia including France Rugby authenticated items available on platform.
• Royal British LegionminorOthersCharitable organization benefiting from Mo Salah's Remembrance Day Liverpool shirt auction. Proceeds from the match-worn shirt (over £21,000) donated to the Legion's Poppy Appeal.
• The Uniform Funding FoundationminorOthersCharity supporting youth athletes. Benefited from Lysol partnership auction of Tim Howard's signed match-worn gear.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Goldin: One of the largest US sports memorabilia and trading card auction houses, operating online live auctions with authenticated consigned items. Directly comparable marketplace model with similar high-end memorabilia focus and authentication emphasis.
• Fanatics Collectibles: Fanatics' memorabilia and collectibles arm operates authenticated sports auctions and is a direct competitor for league-level exclusive memorabilia deals across NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL.
• Prististine Auction: Online auction platform specializing in authenticated sports memorabilia including game-used and signed jerseys across MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL — directly comparable B2C marketplace model with similar authentication story.
• PWCC Marketplace: Leading online trading card and memorabilia marketplace with auction-style bidding and authentication services — adjacent but overlapping on the authenticated-collectibles commerce experience.

Broad incumbents

• Sotheby's: Global auction house with a dedicated sports memorabilia category, competing at the high end (six-figure items) for ultra-rare game-worn collectibles across soccer, basketball, and baseball.
• Heritage Auctions: Long-running US auction house with deep sports memorabilia vertical covering game-worn apparel, autographs, and trading cards via live online auctions — comparable asset class with established authentication infrastructure.
• Steiner Sports: Established sports memorabilia and marketing company with exclusive partnerships across MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, MLS — direct competitor in the licensed authentic-memorabilia space with deeper US league roots.
• Fanatics / Topps (trading cards & memorabilia): Major sports-licensed trading card and collectibles platform with extensive league rights across MLB, NFL, NBA, FIFA — adjacent competitor pursuing authenticated digital and physical sports collectibles at scale.

Emerging players

• Beckett Grading Services: Industry-standard authentication and grading service for trading cards and memorabilia — comparable on the authentication/provenance layer but focused more on grading than auction facilitation.

Others

• Chiliz / Socios.com: Strategic investor (20% owner) and technology partner providing Chiliz Chain infrastructure for MWS's NFT authentication layer — thematically linked sports-blockchain counterpart rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/_MatchWornShirt
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCbq1BRqTE7Ewobb0mbhNk7g?view_as=subscriber
• Facebookfacebook.com/matchwornshirt.official
• Instagraminstagram.com/matchwornshirt.official

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MatchWornShirt