Football season has officially begun with basketball and hockey not too far behind…before we know it, it will be holiday shopping time! Lots of great events and products to look forward to, and this is prime time to speak to your sports fans!

Similar to the September blog post, below is what to look out for in October!

What’s New in the Sports World?

• NHL 2018-2019 Season Begins — October 3rd 
• NBA 2018-2019 Season Begins — October 16th 
• MLB Playoffs/World Series — month of October, World Series starts on 10/23
• MLS Playoffs — starts last week of October

New Product Launches

• Crucial Catch Collection (learn about crucial catch here) — Launch 10/1
• Salute to Service Collection — Launch 10/8

• MLB Playoff Collection– team specific playoff gear, post season starts on 10/2
• NLCS/ALCS Champs Gear — as teams clinch 
• MLB World Series Gear — Series starts on 10/23

• Jordan Brand Footwear Launch — Launch TBD September (Michigan, Florida, Oklahoma, & UNC)
• New Louisville Adidas Navy Jersey — Launch 10/8
• Colosseum United We Stand Collection — Launch 10/29 (similar to NFL Salute to Service Collection with hoody’s, tees, 1/4 zips, polos)
• Under Armour Military Appreciation — launch in October, but collection represents 11/10 Games for Auburn, Cincinnati, Maryland, Northwestern, & South Carolina
• New Ohio State Special Game Black Jersey— Launch 10-/29 wearing against Nebraska on 11/3

• Hockey Fights Cancer Collection — Launch TBD
• Fanatics Branded Authentic Pro Collection — Tentative 10/1 Launch
• Winter Classic Apparel Collection — Launch 10/15 (1/1 date of game Blackhawks vs. Bruins @ Notre Dame) 
• New From Adidas (NHL Only) — New Adidas Fan Gear launch first week of October

• NBA On Court Collection — Launch TBD
• NBA Herschel Backpack Collection — Launch around 10/1

Trending Stories

• Fall Gear (hoods, jackets, knits, scarves/fall accessories)

• Women’s Fall Fashion (fall football pieces such as Sherpa pullovers, new Junk Food product, and GIII outerwear + plus size call outs)

• NFL Sideline Gear (transition from lightweight pieces to midweight pieces for change of season)
• Start of Cold Weather Gear (begin push for colder weather items)

• Halloween Gear (costume ideas & home good decor items)

• NFL Color Rush (Color Rush Collection — focusing on jerseys/headwear, team alternate program throughout season)

• Tailgating Collection (similar to September tailgate story, incorporating awesome tailgate items such as canopies, chairs & tables, coolers, grills, etc.)

• Man Cave Masterpieces (deck out the man cave, focus on memorabilia/collectibles wall decor)

• NFL Pro Line Iconic Collection (graphics with big logos & big color blocking– a satin jacket included)
• NFL Pro Line True Classics Collection (retro graphics)
• Vineyard Vines Collection (expanded collection with more fall/winter pieces)
• College Hoops Gear (mainly targeting more basketball focused schools)

• US Men’s Soccer Gear (MNT VS Colombia on 10/11)

• Fanatics Branded Disney Collection (Mickey 90th Anniversary– MLB Only)
• Nike Men’s & Ladies NFL Footwear (continuous trending story)

• Nike Men’s & Ladies College Footwear (continuous trending story)

• Top Players in NFL (Khalil Mack on the Chicago Bears is huge right now)…Bears & general NFL affiliates, I suggest you jump on this opportunity 

• NFL Ugly Sweaters 

• Seasonal (holiday ornaments, and seasonal decor will begin to go live on our site)

Reminder — a lot of these stories will have their own landing pages throughout October which makes it easier to promote the story!

If you have any questions, or would like specific product suggestions for your team, please feel free to reach out to me directly at rricker@fanatics.com. 

Happy Selling!