The Ultimate Guide to Nike Football Shirt Product Codes
Learn how to find, decode, and verify Nike football shirt product codes (MPN). Essential knowledge for authenticating vintage kits and spotting fakes.
What is a Nike Product Code?
Every authentic Nike football shirt produced since the early 2000s contains a unique Product Code (also known as MPN - Manufacturer Part Number). This code is your single most reliable tool for verifying authenticity.
Think of it as a shirt fingerprint - no two different shirt designs share the same code.
Key Insight: Product codes were introduced specifically to combat counterfeiting. If a shirt code does not match its claimed identity, it is almost certainly fake.
Where to Find the Product Code
Nike product codes are located on a small label beneath the main wash label, usually near the hem of the shirt.
Label Location by Era
| Era | Location |
|---|---|
| 2000-2010 | Bottom hem, left side (inside) |
| 2010-2015 | Bottom hem, center (inside) |
| 2015-Present | Bottom hem, left or center |
What the Label Looks Like
The label contains:
- Style Code (6 digits) - identifies the shirt design
- Color Code (3 digits) - identifies the colorway
- Season Code (e.g., HO15) - production period
Example: 847284-010 HO15
How to Decode Nike Product Codes
The Format: XXXXXX-YYY
| Part | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| XXXXXX | Style number (shirt design) | 847284 |
| YYY | Color code | 010 (usually black accent) |
Common Color Codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 010 | Black |
| 100 | White |
| 410 | Navy Blue |
| 657 | Red |
| 480 | Royal Blue |
Season Codes Explained
Nike operates on a 4-season production cycle:
| Code | Season | Months |
|---|---|---|
| SP | Spring | January - March |
| SU | Summer | April - June |
| FA | Fall | July - September |
| HO | Holiday | October - December |
The two digits after the season code indicate the year.
Example: FA16 = Fall 2016 (July-September 2016)
How to Verify a Product Code (Step-by-Step)
Method 1: Google Search Verification
This is the fastest and most reliable method:
- Copy the full code (e.g.,
847284-010) - Search on Google:
"847284-010" football shirt - Check the results:
- Match: Images show the same shirt you have
- Mismatch: Images show a different shirt = FAKE
Method 2: Cross-Reference with Retailers
Official Nike and major retailers (JD Sports, Pro:Direct) often list product codes. Search:
- Nike.com product pages
- eBay sold listings (filter by Sold)
- Classic Football Shirts archived listings
Red Flags: How Fakes Get It Wrong
1. Wrong Code for the Shirt
The most common fake indicator. A 2018 Manchester United Home shirt with a code that Google shows as a 2016 PSG Away is 100% fake.
2. Generic or Missing Codes
Fakes often use:
- Repeated digits:
123456-123 - Codes from unrelated Nike products (shoes, training gear)
- No code at all
3. Label Quality Issues
| Authentic | Fake |
|---|---|
| Clean, precise printing | Blurry or smudged text |
| Consistent spacing | Uneven character spacing |
| Proper Nike font | Slightly off font |
4. Wrong Season Code
A shirt supposedly from the 2022/23 season should not have a FA19 (Fall 2019) production code.
Product Codes for Popular Nike Shirts
Here are verified codes for some sought-after vintage Nike kits:
| Team | Season | Type | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | 2007/08 | Home | 237924-648 |
| Arsenal | 2004/05 | Home | 118817-614 |
| Barcelona | 2010/11 | Home | 382354-486 |
| Brazil | 2002 WC | Home | 113255-703 |
Note: These are example codes. Always verify against multiple sources.
Pre-2000 Shirts: What About Vintage?
Shirts from before 2000-2002 typically do not have product codes. Authentication for these relies on:
- Label style and font accuracy
- Fabric texture and weight
- Stitching patterns
- Historical accuracy (correct sponsor, badge placement)
We are building a separate guide for pre-code vintage authentication.
Quick Authentication Checklist
Before buying any Nike football shirt:
- Locate the product code label
- Google the full code with football shirt
- Verify the season code matches the claimed year
- Check label print quality
- Compare with known authentic examples
Common Questions
Q: Do all Nike shirts have product codes?
A: Most shirts from 2000 onwards do. Earlier vintage shirts and some special editions may not.
Q: Can fakes have real product codes?
A: Sophisticated fakes sometimes copy codes from authentic shirts. Always combine code verification with physical inspection.
Q: Where can I verify codes quickly?
A: Try our Product Code Database for a searchable collection, or use Google image search with the code.
Next Steps
Now that you understand Nike product codes, you can:
- Verify your collection - Check each shirt code
- Shop with confidence - Always ask sellers for label photos
- Spot fakes faster - Code verification takes 30 seconds
Ready to look up codes? Check out our Product Code Database for verified entries.
Need to verify a product code?
Browse our database of verified football shirt product codes.
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