THE PICK THAT OUT GUIDE
How to Choose the Best Mystery Football Shirt Company
By Craig, founder of Pick That Out · Updated November 2026
There’s no shortage of mystery football shirt companies in the UK. When Pick That Out started in 2021, only a handful were operating. Today there’s far more choice.
Choice is great for football fans, but it comes with pitfalls. Prices, shirt quality, delivery and customer service can vary a lot from one company to the next. This guide gives you practical tips for choosing where to buy your next mystery football shirt box, so you know what to look for before you order.
What is a mystery football shirt box?
A mystery football shirt box contains a football shirt that you don’t get to choose. You pick your size and the type of box, and the company picks the shirt. You won’t know which one it is until you open it.
That surprise is what hooks many fans. Your shirt could come from any league in the world, so people young and old often discover new clubs, new countries and new kit designs they’d never have searched for. There are boxes for every kind of fan, including adult boxes, kids’ mystery football shirt boxes and retro football shirt boxes.
1. Check the condition of the shirts
The first question to ask is whether the shirts are brand new or pre-loved. Neither is automatically wrong, but you should know what you’re paying for before you order.
Look for clear wording on the website. If a company says its shirts are “authentic”, check what it means. Is it an official, licensed product? Does it come with tags? At Pick That Out, every mystery football shirt is brand new and comes with tags. Standards vary between companies, so always check each company’s own description.
2. Know what you could get
A good mystery box company is upfront about what could be inside. Look for information on:
- Which leagues, countries and eras are included
- Whether it’s current-season or retro (older) shirts
- Whether you can set any preferences, such as a league, colour or club type
- What happens if you receive a shirt you already own
Be wary of any company that promises a specific star player or top club in every box at a low price. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
3. Compare the full price
The price you see first often isn’t the price you pay. Many mystery football shirt websites show prices that exclude delivery, so check the shipping cost and any free-delivery threshold before you compare. Work out the total, then compare like for like.
Also check for extras that can change the total, such as second-shirt add-ons, gift wrapping or packaging, and whether the price includes VAT.
4. Think about subscriptions
Some companies offer a monthly subscription. These can work out cheaper per box, but you’re committing to a period of time. Before signing up, check:
- How long the commitment lasts
- How easy it is to pause or cancel
- Whether the price changes after the first month
If you’re a collector, or you’d like a treat every month, a subscription could be a great fit. If you’re buying a one-off gift, a single box is usually the better choice.
5. Check customer reviews
Reviews tell you what it’s really like to buy from a company, but only if you read them properly.
- Use independent sites. Check review platforms such as Trustpilot and Google reviews, not just testimonials on the company’s own website.
- Read the middle and low scores. Look at how the company responds when things go wrong. A polite, helpful reply says a lot.
- Look for patterns. One complaint is a story. The same complaint ten times, such as late delivery or wrong sizes, is a pattern.
- Check the dates. Recent reviews matter most, and a sudden burst of five-star reviews can be a warning sign.
- Look for real photos and videos. Customer unboxings on social media and YouTube show you what arrives in the box, not just what’s promised.
6. Look at customer support
What if something goes wrong? A shirt arrives in the wrong size, a parcel is delayed or you simply have a question. That’s when support matters most.
Before you order, look for:
- A live chat, email address and phone number, ideally one you can actually speak to a person on
- A published UK address, which shows the business is real and reachable
- Clear opening hours and response times
Try asking a quick question before you buy. How fast and how helpful the reply is will tell you a lot about the service you’ll get afterwards.
7. Read the policies
It’s dull, but it’s worth a few minutes. Check the company’s:
- Returns and exchange policy: what happens if the size is wrong or the item is faulty
- Delivery times and tracking: whether you get tracking, and what happens if a parcel is lost
- Duplicates: what happens if you get a shirt you already own
Vague or hard-to-find policies are a red flag.
8. Check the sizing
A mystery shirt is only fun if it fits. Look for a clear size guide, including kids’ sizes if you’re buying a gift. Retro shirts often have a looser, boxier cut than modern ones, so check whether the company explains this. If you’re unsure, size up.
9. Look at the extras
The best companies think beyond the box. Look for things like:
- A way to track your collection, so you can see every shirt you’ve unboxed
- Gift-friendly packaging
- Options for different ages, such as kids’ and retro boxes
- A fair loyalty, referral or affiliate scheme
Red flags to watch for
- No contact details or UK address
- No independent reviews, or only reviews on their own site
- Unrealistic promises, such as guaranteed star-player shirts at a very low price
- Hidden delivery charges that only appear at checkout
- Unclear or missing returns policy
- Pressure tactics such as fake countdown timers or “only 2 left” on every product
Quick checklist
Before you buy, tick off:
- □ I know whether the shirts are new or pre-loved
- □ I know what leagues, eras and types could be in the box
- □ I’ve compared the total price, including delivery
- □ I’ve read independent reviews, including the low scores
- □ I can contact a real person if something goes wrong
- □ I’ve read the returns and delivery policies
- □ I’ve checked the size guide
How we do it at Pick That Out
We’re biased, of course, but we built Pick That Out around the things in this guide. Every mystery football shirt is brand new with tags. We offer adult, kids’ and retro boxes. You can track your collection in your own online control panel. And if you need help, you can use our live chat or call our UK head office and speak to a real person.
If you’d like to see for yourself, take a look at our kids’ mystery football shirt boxes or our retro mystery football shirt boxes.
Frequently asked questions
Are mystery football shirts worth it?
They can be, if you value the surprise and you buy from a company that’s clear about what you’ll receive. Compare the total price, read independent reviews and check the policies first.
Are mystery football shirts real or fake?
It depends on the company. Look for clear wording about authenticity and condition, and don’t be afraid to ask before you buy.
Can I choose the club or league?
Usually the shirt itself is a surprise. Some companies let you set preferences, so check before ordering.
What if I get a shirt I already own?
Policies differ, so check this before you buy. Good companies explain it clearly.
Is a subscription better than a one-off box?
Subscriptions can be cheaper per box, but they’re a commitment. A one-off box is better for gifts or if you want to try one first.
Final thoughts
The best mystery football shirt company is the one that’s honest about what’s in the box, clear on the total price, and easy to reach if something goes wrong. Take a few minutes to check reviews, policies and support, and you’ll be much more likely to enjoy that moment when you open the box and find out what’s inside.