Best Credit Cards for Sports Fans and Athletes
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Whether you’re a die-hard sports fan or a parent who spends weekends cheering on your child from the sidelines, you can find a credit card to earn rewards for your loyalty.
But depending on how much you spend on sporting-related purchases, you might be better off with an all-purpose credit card instead. A cash-back card that earns the same flat rate on all your purchases, for example, could be more versatile and valuable.
Still, if a big chunk of your money is going toward athletics, these cards are worth considering.
If sports, for you, encompasses things like fitness clubs, gym memberships and general physical activity, see our best credit cards for wellness.
Top credit cards for sports fans and athletes
NFL Extra Points Visa® Credit Card
Our pick for: NFL fans
Card details
Rewards:
3% in rewards on qualifying NFL purchases and NFL team purchases.
2% in rewards on grocery store, food delivery, restaurants, gyms and sporting goods purchases.
1% in rewards on all other purchases.
Other benefits:
NFL team logo on card.
20% off at NFLShop.com
NFL ticket financing.
Exclusive perks.
Welcome offer: Earn $100 Cash Back when you spend $500 on purchases outside of the NFL in your first 90 days from open date. The bonus comes in the form of a statement credit.
Annual fee: $0.
APR: The ongoing APR is 17.49%-27.49% Variable. (Special financing may be available for NFL ticket purchases. See more below.)
Why we like it
If you’re into NFL gear for your favorite team and want the logo on your credit card to match, the NFL Extra Points Visa® Credit Card, issued by Comenity Capital Bank is for you. Bonus-rewards categories are useful for racking up extra points, especially at grocery stores and restaurants. (Rewards are expressed in percentages but are earned in the form of points.) The card comes with perks too, such as special financing on NFL tickets of $250 or more made at select brokers and 20% off NFLShop.com purchases. Other perks include pre-game sideline access on game days, access to the NFL player draft and meetup events with NFL stars.
Drawbacks
While the upcoming perks are exciting, we’d throw a penalty flag at the uncertain redemption rates for reward points. One that is certain: Redeeming for a statement credit costs a lousy 200 points per dollar. That essentially cuts your rewards rates in half, making them uncompetitive with current rewards cards. Points required for other redemptions vary. They include gift cards, merchandise, experiences and game tickets. Aside from NFL super-fans, most consumers would probably be better off with a more general rewards credit card.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Our pick for: NBA fans
Card details
Rewards:
5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 in spending per year).
5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel.
1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Terms apply (see rates and fees).
Other benefits:
Jersey assurance for a year after purchase: If you use an American Express card to buy your jersey from the NBA Store, and then the player switches teams, you can get a free replacement jersey. The program also applies to WNBA jerseys on WNBAStore.com.
AmEx is the official card partner of the Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat, offering such perks as card member entrances, in-arena merchandise offers, ticketing access benefits and occasional card member experiences.
Dedicated American Express card member entrances for shows and sporting events at Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles), United Center (Chicago), Barclays Center (New York City.)
Triple-double offer: When a player records a triple-double during the NBA playoffs or finals, card members can earn 32% off eligible items at NBAStore.com for 24 hours on the day after the game.
Terms apply.
Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
Annual fee: $695.
Why we like it
American Express is the official card of the NBA, WNBA and G League basketball leagues, along with partnerships with four individual NBA teams, which means access to some unique NBA experiences. While some of the NBA perks are available to all American Express cardholders, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers an upgraded experience. Not only could you score special perks while attending games, but you also can earn significant travel rewards while roaming around the country to watch your team.
Drawbacks
The hefty annual fee will be a hard pass for some. Also, the card offers its biggest rewards for travel spending; if your travel budget is limited, you would probably do better with a general rewards card, cash-back card or a different American Express card with a lower annual fee.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: MLB fans
Card details
Rewards:
8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, including tickets purchased for sporting events.
5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
3% back on dining, eligible streaming services, grocery stores and entertainment. (Tickets to sporting events qualify as "entertainment.")
1% cash back on all other purchases.
Other benefits:
Capital One is the official partner of the MLB, offering perks like 30% discounts on new MLB.TV yearly subscriptions, 20% off at MLBShop.com, 20% off admission at the newly opened Jackie Robinson Museum and more.
Access to exclusive MLB events like private on-field sessions and batting practice.
Welcome offer: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual fee: $0.
APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.49%-29.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
Why we like it
For one thing, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a base rate of 3% back on qualifying "entertainment" purchases, which includes tickets to sporting events. And you can potentially do even better than that, since the card also earns 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, which (again) can include tickets to sporting events. But beyond that, Capital One is the official bank and credit card partner of Major League Baseball, which means access to exclusive MLB discounts and VIP experiences. Cardholders can redeem rewards for MLB tickets from all 30 teams, from opening day through postseason — including tickets to the World Series. See rates and fees.
Drawbacks
According to Capital One, you’ll need excellent credit (FICO scores of 720 or higher) to qualify for the card. Also, if you don’t spend a lot in the card's other bonus categories, you might get more value out of a general rewards or cash back card.
Alternatives
There are a few MLB teams that have individual partnerships with specific cards. For example, the New York Yankees Mastercard earns rewards for purchases made at Yankee Stadiums concession stands, and offers access to Yankees-specific promotions and perks. Similarly, the KC Royals™ Mastercard® earns cash for everyday spending and lets you redeem rewards for Kansas City Royals experiences and merchandise, among other options. However, the card is only available to those who live within reasonable driving distance of the Royals' Kauffman Stadium — which limits who can apply for it.
NHL® Discover it®
Our pick for: NHL fans
Card details
Rewards:
5% cash back in rotating categories each quarter — such as gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants and — on up to $1,500 in spending per quarter (activation required).
1% cash back on all other purchases.
Welcome offer: See terms.
Annual fee: $0.
APR: See terms.
Why we like it
In addition to earning impressive rewards on bonus-category spending, hockey fans can get their team image on the front of the NHL® Discover it®. And that cash back for spending on everyday expenses can really add up. If you like the flexibility of cash back and your travel is mostly contained to the roadways, this card could work well for you.
Drawbacks
Not everyone enjoys managing categories that rotate every quarter. Also, if you’re spending a lot on airline tickets and hotel nights, you might be better off with a travel rewards card instead.
For an NHL team-specific card, you could consider the Vegas Golden Knights Credit Card from Credit One. It offers access to exclusive benefits for fans of the hockey team and allows holders to customize their cards with a Knights-related design. However, it only earns a measly 1% cash back on gas, groceries and monthly mobile phone, internet, cable, and satellite TV services.
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Our pick for: Fitness clubs
Card details
Rewards:
5% cash back on up to $500 spent in your highest spend category per billing cycle, one of which is fitness clubs.
1% back on all other purchases.
Welcome offer: Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Annual fee: $0.
APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.49%-28.49% Variable APR.
Why we like it
The Citi Custom Cash® Card can essentially earn you a 5% discount on your fitness club membership.
That’s because the card offers 5% cash back on up to $500 spent if your highest spending category for the billing cycle is fitness clubs. It includes membership fees and other purchases at athletic and sports facilities, including health, tennis and swimming clubs.
The great thing is you don’t have to think about it. Your top eligible spending category automatically earns 5% cash back.
Drawbacks
Fitness clubs might not be the optimal category for the 5% cash back on this card unless you can regularly use most of the $500 per month on fitness-club spending, which is unlikely for most people who have a typical gym membership. One option for dealing with that problem: Prepay several months' membership fees in advance. Another bummer: The bonus category excludes fitness streaming classes and virtual services for home-exercise equipment.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Our pick for: Soccer moms and dads
Card details
Rewards:
5% cash back in two categories of your choice, from a list of 12, on up to $2,000 spent per quarter on combined purchases. (See full list below.)
5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in U.S. Bank's Rewards Center.
2% back on an everyday category of your choice, such as gas, groceries or restaurants.
1% back on other purchases.
Welcome offer: $200 rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
Annual fee: $0.
APR: 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 18.74%-28.99% Variable APR.
Why we like it
The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card offers a lot of choice when it comes to your bonus 5% category: You can select two categories each quarter from a list of 12 (see above), including useful options such as sporting goods stores and gyms/fitness centers. Then, for the 2% bonus category, you select from a list of three: gas stations (and EV charging stations), restaurants and grocery stores.
Drawbacks
The optimization required for this card might be overly complicated for consumers who prefer a simpler rewards structure. You must keep track of bonus categories and opt in to them each quarter to earn the 5% bonus.
Wells Fargo Attune World Elite Mastercard
Image courtesy of Wells Fargo
Our pick for: Going out and staying in
Card details
Rewards:
4% cash back on sports, recreation and entertainment. This includes sports and live entertainment tickets, as well as select streaming services such as ESPN+.
4% cash back on self-care. This includes gym memberships and fitness studios.
4% cash back on public transportation and EV charging, as well as secondhand merchandise. (Ideal for anyone buying vintage team merch or those who avoid driving to games in gas-powered cars.)
1% cash back on other purchases.
Welcome offer: Earn a $100 cash rewards bonus when you spend $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. (As of this writing.)
Annual fee: $0.
APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. Then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR. (As of this writing.)
Why we like it
The Wells Fargo Attune World Elite Mastercard earns a generous rewards rate across a variety of sports-related categories, whether you’re going to a game, watching from your couch, purchasing gear or working out. There's also no cap on the amount of cash back you can earn.
Drawbacks
The 4% cash back categories are broad, but a bit all over the place, so you’ll want to use this card strategically. Some common everyday categories, like groceries or dining out, earn only 1% cash back. So if you go out to dinner before a game, or host friends at home, pick another card for those food purchases.
Cards that are closed to new applicants
Cardless cards
Cardless, a provider of co-branded credit cards, used to offer a number of cards for fans of specific teams, but now the company’s offerings are targeted toward airlines and Simon malls.
Bank of America® Major League Baseball Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
After Bank of America®’s partnership with Major League Baseball ended in 2022, holders of the Bank of America® Major League Baseball Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card had their accounts converted to other Bank of America® cards. MLB’s official bank and credit card partner is now Capital One.
This page includes information about the NHL® Discover it® that is not currently available on NerdWallet and the offer details may be out of date.
The information related to the Wells Fargo Attune World Elite Mastercard has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
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