22 Best Soccer Affiliate Programs and Networks [2024]

Soccer is an incredibly lucrative sport that boasts a near evergreen appeal, with matches and competitions taking place year-round. In fact, the global market value of soccer reached an impressive $3 billion in 2022 alone, making it an ideal opportunity for affiliate marketers to promote related products and earn a significant income.

In this article, we will delve into the world of soccer affiliate programs, exploring what sets them apart and how to choose and effectively promote them to maximize earnings.

What Are Soccer Affiliate Programs, and How Do They Work

Soccer affiliate programs and networks are mostly made up of businesses that have products or services related to soccer, which some may refer to as football.

These businesses need to help us affiliate marketers to promote the product and reach out to more people. When affiliates introduce such businesses to their audience, they can get a commission as a reward based on different factors. Sometimes, they can get a percentage of the products, and value, and some other times they can seal a deal with the company and get a fixed price for promoting those products.

The payment models are different, and we will explore this in the later section. For now, it’s important to understand that the target audience for the field is mainly the younger audience. Therefore, to become successful in the field, you need to appeal to those people.

Plus, since there are various types of things that can be promoted to people in this niche, you need to understand all of them and plan accordingly for promoting each and every one of them because they each require their own creatives and ideas for promotion.

What Types of Products Can You Promote

Here’s a list of several products that you can promote in soccer affiliate programs and networks. Keep in mind that these are not all of them, but these are the most common examples, so if you want to gain some familiarity with what you can expect, this list can be helpful.

• Soccer Cleats: These are specialized shoes designed for playing soccer. They provide traction on the field, come in various styles suited for different field conditions, and are often endorsed by top players.
• Team Jerseys: Official apparel that represents soccer clubs or national teams. Fans often purchase these jerseys to show support for their favorite teams or players during matches.
• Soccer Balls: Essential equipment for the game, Soccer balls come in various sizes and qualities, from training balls to official match balls used in professional leagues and tournaments.
• Goalkeeper Gloves: Designed specifically for goalkeepers, these gloves provide grip and protection, enabling the keeper to catch and deflect shots on goal effectively.
• Training Equipment: This category includes items like agility ladders, cones, and hurdles which players use to enhance their skills, speed, and overall fitness during training sessions.
• Soccer Shin Guards: Protective equipment worn on the front of a player’s lower legs. They safeguard against injuries from tackles or accidental kicks.
• Soccer Socks: Specialized socks that offer support and are long enough to cover shin guards. They come in team colors and are an essential part of the soccer kit.
• Soccer Bags: Bags are designed to carry all soccer gear, including balls, shoes, and jerseys. They often have specialized compartments and are durable enough for frequent travel.
• Referee Equipment: Items used by match officials, such as whistles, cards (red & yellow), and flags. Also, specialized referee jerseys and shoes can be part of this category.
• Stadium Accessories: Products like team scarves, banners, flags, and noisemakers that fans bring to games to show support and create a vibrant match-day atmosphere.
• Nutrition and Recovery: Supplements, energy bars, or recovery gels tailored for soccer players. These help in maintaining energy levels during a game and aid in post-match recovery.
• Soccer Literature: Books, magazines, or DVDs about soccer. Topics range from player biographies, and historic matches, to tactical analyses and coaching manuals.
• Soccer Video Games: Digital games that simulate soccer matches. Popular titles often release annual versions with updated teams and player stats.
• Soccer Coaching Tools: This includes whiteboards, tactic sheets, and software apps that help coaches plan and communicate strategies to their teams.
• Personalized Soccer Gear: Products like jerseys, balls, or bags that can be customized with a person's name or a specific message, making them unique and personal.

Payment Models in Soccer Affiliate Programs

There are various payment models in soccer affiliate programs. However, the most common payment method has got to be the revenue share model. The reason why the revenue share model is novel is the fact that you get to get a percentage off any product's value that you promote. So, for example, if the value of a product is high, and the percentage the company is paying you for promoting it is also high, you can expect to earn a living with that one promotion easily. For example, imagine you’re promoting Soccer goods, and they are valued at $500 on average, and the company is paying you 10% as a commission rate. Then, only one purchase by a customer can earn you $50 instantly. Now imagine what happens if you sell several products every month.

Of course, there are other payment models as well, which might pay you based on every purchase, but with a fixed rate, or they might pay you whenever a user starts a free trial or creates an account on their platform. So you can also expect a cost per sale or cost for a lead model in these programs.

Another thing that makes these programs lucrative is that you can promote digital offers like mobile games and computer games too, which can bring so many other types of payment models and offers your way. So depending on your target audience and market, choose the best offer and go with it.

What to Consider When Choosing a Soccer Affiliate Program

Speaking of choosing an offer among soccer affiliate programs, there are some factors that you need to pay attention to before you choose to continue with a program. These factors are important because they can affect your earnings and your stay with the program. So try to narrow down the programs based on these factors and your preferences.

Your Familiarity with the Products

First and foremost, your familiarity with the product matters a lot because if you don’t know what you’re talking about, the audience will be confused and likely lose trust in whatever you’re promoting to them. So choose an offer that has products you already know and can easily answer anybody’s questions regarding them.

Commission Rate

The commission rate is the second most important factor to pay attention to because a low commission rate can mean less earnings. However, keep in mind that a lower commission and high product value might actually be good, but if the product's value is less than $100 and the commission rate is less than 10%, then it is going to be very hard to make a lot of money from that offer. So choose an offer with a high commission rate.

Brand Recognition

Don’t just promote any brand. Do some background research. You can always search on affiliate forums for a certain program to ask your peers whether they are good, on time, or legit.

Another thing you can do is search on other forums where ordinary people talk about their experience with that brand. If the average customer review isn’t good, then you should probably not collaborate with that brand.

Cookie Duration

A cookie saves the data from a user visiting a website and lets the affiliate program know that they’ve clicked on your link and purchased with you being the referrer. That’s how the program can allocate the commission to you. The longer the cookie duration, the better. For example, if the cookie duration is 30 days, on average, then it means that a user can click on your link, close the website, and come back within the next 30 days and purchase a product from that store and you will still earn a commission.

Payment Frequency

You need to receive your payment as frequently as possible. Every two weeks would be great, but most programs choose to pay their affiliates every 30 days. Some programs may send you your commissions every 60 or 90 days, which is too long. So, based on your preferences, make sure that the program won’t withhold your money for too long.

Minimum Payout

The minimum payout is also an important factor because it can stop you from receiving your payment if you have not met the minimum payout requirement. Many programs have their power requirements set at $50, so you need to make at least $50 in total affiliate commissions to request a payout. Some programs have it lower, and some programs don’t have any requirements. The ones that allow you to cash out as soon as you make a commission or, based on the schedule, every two weeks or every month are the best.

Affiliate Trackers

Affiliate trackers are software on the browser that can track links for any clicks, commissions, earned, sales, views, and other data. This data is very valuable because it can help you understand how effective your marketing strategies are. Plus, they can keep everything transparent regarding your payments. Suppose the affiliate program does not automatically offer an affiliate tracker on your affiliate dashboard. In that case, it’s wise to get a third-party affiliate tracker anyway so you can understand your performance stats.

Marketing Assets and Resources

The programs usually provide you with marketing assets and resources, such as banners, ads, links, widgets, API access, white labels, products, etc. They can provide you with samples so you can review them yourself. The more assets a program provides you with, the easier your job will be. So look up these assets in the information about a program when applying for one.

Affiliate Support

As a beginner or even as a pro, you need to get the support you need, get your questions answered, and keep everything transparent. We usually introduce affiliate programs that have good support teams. Still, you may want to ask your peers on affiliate forums whether the program is responsive and supportive.

Application Process Time

Some programs take a very long time to answer your applications and approve your participation in the program, and it may take a long time for you to get started. If you prefer to start immediately, make sure you apply for programs that won’t take too long.

Bonuses

One of the best things about certain affiliate programs is that they provide you with bonuses whenever you reach a milestone or make certain sales. Some programs even have VIP tiers for their top affiliates with lots of sales that can offer them Custom commissions or brand deals.

Top Traffic Sources for Soccer Offers

You know how to choose an affiliate program in the soccer niche; let’s talk about some of the top traffic sources for these offers. You need to choose the right traffic source and platform because it can directly affect the number of people you will reach out to. You need to mainly target platforms that have the highest number of people interested in your content.

Social Media

The first and most important traffic source for these offers has got to be social media. Remember the last time you’ve ever read an article about soccer? Yeah, that would be never. Because most people just watch content related to soccer on social media, like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. They want to watch the streaming of matches, talk to other people about games, and other communicative messages because, usually, sports-related niches are super social and community-based. So you want to target these communities, and, depending on the exact country or market you're targeting, the team or the topics can be different too. So, for example, if you want to promote soccer-related products in the UK, your marketing strategy has to be completely different from promoting them in, let’s say, Argentina. Plus, there are different tiers of countries when promoting an affiliate program.

Now you might wonder how exactly it is possible to promote an offer because most people will just be watching soccer-related content online.

A fantastic strategy to promote these offers is to make a social media page where you post edits or compilations of different soccer matches or teach people about soccer, talk about soccer in a commentary manner, and once in a while, post some promotional content about a course, products, or even review in certain sporting goods about soccer.

If you want to, you can use a certain soccer accessory or wear certain soccer clothing to promote it. You can review it, talk about different aspects of it, the good and the bad, and your honest opinion. Don’t just include generic information for the pricing that is already available on the manufacturer's website. You want to add more information and value to the product you’re promoting so users will be interested in what you say.

If you are honest in your words, users will always come back to see if you have something new to show them or something new to announce.

If you aren’t on social media, like TikTok or Instagram, you can leave the links to the programs you’re promoting right on your bio using a website like LinkTree. However, if you are on YouTube, you can directly leave the links in the video descriptions.

Taking a look at some of the competitors or other people doing the same thing can be very useful.

Remember that this is similar to being an influencer, except you have fewer followers. The moment your followers are more than 10,000 or 100,000, or even more, then you are an influencer, and you can get amazing deals. Let’s focus on getting you started in this niche as a small affiliate for now.

Forums and Communities

Another place that is super effective when promoting soccer affiliate offers is forums and communities. You can find forums related to soccer, for example, on Reddit or other similar platforms. What you need to do is to get familiar with the rule sets of the forum. Then, you should start answering people's questions and getting some points for yourself in the community, and having yourself known as a helpful member. In the meantime, you can include links to a website that you run that includes affiliate links to the products you want to promote. But keep in mind that you should only do so if a user asks a question and your article, product review, or links are going to be actually useful. Otherwise, including irrelevant links to the questions might get you banned and considered a scam. That is exactly why in the beginning, you need to familiarize yourself with the rules of that community.

Website Content

We discussed how you can include a link to an article you’ve written with affiliate programs directing people to the products you want to promote. That is possible only through having a website and writing content on it they can organically get traffic from Google and other search engines. When users search for something on Google, or when you want to redirect users to a product you’re trying to promote website content, or even a blog post on medium.com can be super useful.

Many people might not read articles related to soccer, but when it comes to choosing a product that is actually good, they will definitely do so. The preferred form of content is video content that you can host on YouTube. But the second best option for soccer-related product review Content is a website.

You need to write articles about specific products, compare different goods, guide users to different soccer basics, and even post soccer news. In these articles, you must provide honest reviews in the first person. And then, you need to include visuals and as much information as possible that can grab the attention of users visiting your website for the first time.

Then, you need to include direct links to the products you’re promoting with a clear call to action so users can know where they can shop for things you’re introducing to them.

Having this website is a great asset because it is versatile, and you can link to it from any platform you want. You can even post ads on different platforms and redirect users to your website because many of the programs would not allow direct linking to the shop from advertisement platforms.

Paid Ads

Speaking of advertisement, the last resort is posting ads, like display ads, push notifications, and even video ads on platforms like TikTok, Google, Facebook, Instagram, and so on. Each of these platforms has certain guidelines and strategies that can help you get more clicks from users. You need certain creative ideas to attract potential customers. It would be great if you could use ad spy tools to learn more about what your competitors are doing and what methods are working for them. By copying the same message and creatives, you can become successful. Plus, your program can provide you with some creative ideas for advertising their product. So it’s best to ask your affiliate manager for support in this case.

Tips to Promote Soccer Affiliate Offers Successfully

Now that you know the top traffic sources, let’s talk about some tips and tricks that can help you become even more successful.

Keywords and Hashtags

Whether on your website or social media, targeting certain keywords and hashtags is important. This is exactly how users can find your constant organically without the need for any advertisements.

In the case of websites, you need to follow SEO guidelines and use keywords that have the lowest difficulty with the highest search volumes. You can use tools like SEMrush, Google Trends, Ubersuggest, and so on to conduct keyword research.

However, the general rule is that as a beginner who is just trying to run any website, you need to be very careful what keywords you target and spend your time making content for. Long-tail keywords are the best options. This means that you should avoid writing about general keywords like “soccer shoes” as a beginner. Obviously, your continent has almost 0 chance of ending up on the first page of search results, which is basically the only page that mostly gets clicks.

You need to narrow down the keywords to the exact product or search query an average user would search. For example, “best soccer goods for kids to learn soccer in the UK.”

Here are some examples of long-tail keywords in the soccer niche. These are not all of them; you need to conduct the right keyword research for your website.

• best soccer cleats for flat feet
• youth soccer protective gear recommendations
• most durable soccer balls for training
• women's soccer apparel for summer
• indoor soccer shoes for hardwood floors
• personalized soccer jerseys for teams
• soccer training equipment for goalkeepers
• best shin guards for aggressive players
• sweat-resistant soccer headbands for men
• kids soccer kits for beginners
• professional soccer socks for blister prevention
• lightweight soccer backpacks with ball pocket
• soccer coaching software for team management
• anti-slip soccer cleats for rainy conditions
• soccer nutrition supplements for endurance
• recovery gear for post-soccer training
• under armor soccer training wear
• soccer-themed gifts for young players
• portable soccer goals for backyard practice
• best books about soccer tactics and strategies

Trends

Once in a while, soccer becomes very popular due to certain matches or events. You need to prepare for those properly by creating content, finding the right deals, preparing your pre-landing or landing page on your website, and driving as much traffic as you can see through ads, social media, organic traffic, and so on in that limited time span.

Plus, in these events, there are always new resources, assets, and strategies that your affiliate program can share with you. Remember to address them and use the tips and tricks your programs share with you for maximum income.

Ideas for Soccer Affiliate Websites and Social Pages

Here are some ideas for making soccer affiliate websites or social media pages.

• Soccer Kit Review Site: Create a dedicated platform that reviews the latest soccer jerseys, shoes, and equipment. Provide in-depth analysis of each product's quality, comfort, and aesthetics. Link to affiliate products so readers can purchase the reviewed items, ensuring you emphasize authenticity and quality.
• Fantasy Soccer Hub: With the growing popularity of fantasy sports, launch a website dedicated to fantasy soccer. Offer insights, analytics, and tips on player performance. Integrate affiliate links for fantasy soccer platforms or tools that users might find beneficial.
• Soccer Training & Drills Portal: Develop a comprehensive website with training drills, exercises, and tutorials for beginners and advanced players. Partner with soccer equipment brands to showcase their products in the drills and exercises and link to their sales pages.
• Historic Soccer Moments Archive: Chronicle the most iconic moments in soccer history through videos, articles, and pictures. Use affiliate links to promote memorabilia, DVDs, books, or vintage merchandise related to those moments.
• Soccer Travel Guide: Craft a website that guides soccer fans on attending matches around the world. Detail the best stadiums, fan zones, local customs, etc. Collaborate with travel agencies, accommodation providers, and ticket sellers to earn affiliate commissions.
• Soccer Nutrition & Fitness: Design a website focusing on soccer's fitness and nutrition side. Share diet plans, supplements, and training regimes that professional soccer players follow. Promote affiliate offers for nutritional products, fitness gear, or online training programs.
• Children’s Soccer Gear Guide: Focus on the younger demographic by creating a website specifically about soccer gear for kids. Review products, offer safety tips, and recommend age-appropriate gear. Insert affiliate links to trusted retailers that offer kids' soccer equipment.
• Soccer Book Club: Dedicate a website to reviewing and discussing books about soccer, be it autobiographies, historical accounts, or fiction. Partner with bookstores or e-commerce platforms to promote the books you review and earn affiliate income.
• Soccer Gaming & Tech: Launch a platform that discusses soccer-related video games, apps, and technology. Review the latest FIFA, Pro Evolution Soccer games, and other soccer apps. Embed affiliate links for gaming consoles, video games, and tech gadgets that soccer fans would love.
• Soccer Art & Merchandise Showcase: Celebrate the artistic side of soccer by featuring soccer-themed artwork, posters, and crafts. Guide users on where they can buy these unique pieces or related DIY craft supplies, using affiliate links to e-commerce platforms or specific artists' stores.
• Betting Platform Reviews: Offer in-depth reviews of different soccer betting platforms, considering factors like user experience, odds offered, and payment methods. Use affiliate links to guide users to sign up for the reviewed platforms.

Conclusion

Now that you know how soccer affiliate programs work, what you can promote when working with them, how you can choose one, and how you can promote them, you are ready to embark on your journey as a soccer affiliate. There are other sports-related offers that you can promote as well if your audience is already interested in soccer. So make sure to check out other affiliate programs and networks in our directory to find the best deals for your audience. Happy earning.