Just a week before the kick-off of the 2026 World Cup, football fans in Semarang are showing a growing enthusiasm for collecting national team jerseys.

Not only are the latest jersey releases in demand, but vintage or retro jerseys—often worth millions of rupiah—are also highly sought after by football enthusiasts.

This was revealed by one of the jersey shop owners in Semarang, Nur Aris Adi Nugroho (29), when met at his store.

Aris explained that the demand for retro jerseys has surged in line with the public’s excitement for the upcoming World Cup.

According to him, vintage collections hold a special appeal because they are limited in number and no longer produced.

“Retro jerseys have their own fanbase. Many people look for them because of their collectible value. The price is also higher compared to new jerseys,” he said.

At his store, the price of retro jerseys ranges from IDR 1 million to IDR 1.5 million per piece. Some items even date back to the 1990s, including the England national team jersey, which has become a favourite among football fans.

Based on observations at Gondes Jersey, Aris’s shop located on Soekarno-Hatta Street, Semarang, several retro jerseys featuring the names and numbers of iconic players are displayed prominently. Among them are jerseys of David Beckham, Lionel Messi, Raul Gonzales, Neymar, and Diego Simeone.

The store also offers several retro series from the Japan national team.

According to Aris, the value of a retro jersey is determined not only by its age but also by its condition, rarity, and the history attached to it.

These factors contribute to the stable—and often increasing—prices of vintage jerseys over time.

Unlike buyers of new jerseys, who typically want to wear their favourite team’s colours during matches, retro jersey hunters are mostly collectors.

They seek specific editions to complete personal collections or to keep them as long-term assets.

“Collectors usually know exactly what they’re looking for. They understand the release year, design details, and even the jersey’s condition,” he added.

This phenomenon shows that football jerseys are no longer just supporter apparel.

For many, vintage jerseys have evolved into collectible items with their own economic value. The World Cup season has become a catalyst for rising public interest in football memorabilia, including increasingly rare retro jerseys.

Over the past month, Gondes Jersey recorded sales of nearly 150 jerseys. In addition to new collections from countries participating in the 2026 World Cup, several retro jerseys have also attracted buyers amid the growing excitement for the world’s biggest football tournament.