The Christmas gift ideas for the one in your life who treats "sports talk" as a full-time job.

Thanks to our brand partner, LIV Golf Adelaide

Being a superb Christmas shopper does not mean you have to be passionate about the same things as your recipient. Any old person can buy a present they secretly want for themselves, but you're better than that (well, this year at least).

In my experience, the hardest person to shop for in my life is the sports lover. You know the one: they know Sam Kerr's stats like the back of their hand, and they take a day off work to watch the first day of the Ashes. That person. In the past, I've really struggled to connect with that person, staring at books about cricket and shrugging. Would they… actually enjoy a book about cricket? I've got no idea.

So this year, I did what I should have done a long time ago. I actually asked the sports fanatics in my life what they want for Christmas — and boy, did they deliver.

LIV Golf Adelaide tickets, from $74 per person.

LIV Golf Adelaide is a world-class event combining sport and live music, hosted in South Australia from February 12 to 15, 2026. It's where you can experience some of the world's best golfers going head-to-head over 4-days of thrilling play, huge music acts (including John Summit, FISHER, Royel Otis and Peking Duck — honestly, say less) and the bonus opportunity to explore beautiful South Australia, this is an unbeatable gift for a sports lover who also loves to travel.

I personally believe that there's nothing wrong with gift-giving that has a personal benefit to the giver (you deserve it, after all), so why not invite yourself along — if golf isn't your thing, the event's incredible entertainment and Adelaide's food and wine scene will easily keep you content.

Jordan Tour Glove, $89.95.

Image: Drummond Golf.

If you, like me, don't know the first thing about golf, I'm here to reassure you that it doesn't matter. I have it on good authority that not a single golfer would turn their nose up at a new golf glove, and especially not a premium leather one.

Running Science gift voucher, from $50.

Image: Running Science.

A runner is only as good as their shoe. While I don't recommend buying someone new running shoes as a gift, given the massive margin for error, I do recommend gifting a professional running shoe fitting service. A good shoe fitter will look not just at the recipient's foot but also find out all about the type of runner they are, and recommend a shoe to match.

Spalding J5V Advance Performance Gridiron Football, $39.95.

Image: Amazon.

It is not physically possible for a sports lover to walk past a gridiron (American football-style) ball without giving it a little toss around. Trust me — I've seen it in action. A sports lover can never have too many balls, and this is an instant classic.

Personalised Premium Golf Pouch Bag, $49.

Image: Mr.Golf.

Let's be honest, I want to buy this for myself and I've never touched a golf ball in my life. I just think it looks beautiful and I believe that personalisation is the key to happiness. For the slightly more discerning sports lover, this would be a perfect gift — something they wouldn't necessarily think of buying for themselves, but that they'll use for years.

Private training session, varied.

If you want to really spoil a friend or family member, then you can't go past a private, one-on-one training session with the sport of their choice, where they get to learn from a specialist in the field. If there's, say, a Jiu-Jitsu fanatic in your life, what better way to tell them you love them than to set them loose with a Black belt who can help refine some of their techniques?

Experience-style presents are so great for people who already have everything, and the memories (and learnings) they'll take away will last a lot longer than any gift. If you really, really love them, offer to go along and take some videos of them (if allowed!) of their session.

Cyclist magazine subscription, from $58.

Image: Cyclist.

Got someone in mind whose life is dedicated solely to the exhilaration of road cycling? Well, say no more! (Erm, actually, do say more, because I definitely lack that same level of passion for the hobby). Cyclist is the very first magazine of its kind, a bimonthly drop that celebrates the rides, the travel and the latest gear.

For the cycling fan who prefers to chat about their Strava performance over just about anything else, a Cyclist subscription is a gift that will actually get year-round use.

AFL pyjamas, $60.

Image: AFL Footy Shop.

For any die-hard AFL fan, a pair of summer pyjamas is an easy gift idea. The only way you could go wrong is to buy the wrong team — so it could be worth double checking before you check out!

Purchase tickets for LIV Golf Adelaide , returning this summer from February 12 to 15.

Feature Image: Birds of Condor x LIV Golf/Mr.Golf./Amazon/Drummond Golf.

LIV Golf Adelaide returns to the Grange Golf Club 12-15 February 2026. Witness four days of thrilling world-class golf and electric entertainment. Experience golf like you've never seen before with more action, more engagement and more excitement for fans. Enjoy live DJ's around the course, delicious food and drink offerings, plenty of fun free interactive activities in the Fan Village PLUS headline music acts on the main stage after the golf.
Tickets are on sale now at livgolf.com